Smitten Kitchen Blondies: The Ultimate Recipe and Baking Tips

Smitten Kitchen Blondies: Prepare to be utterly captivated by a dessert that’s both deceptively simple and outrageously delicious! Forget everything you thought you knew about brownies, because these blondies are here to steal the show. Imagine a chewy, buttery bar, bursting with brown sugar flavor and studded with your favorite mix-ins. That’s the magic of a truly great blondie, and this recipe, inspired by the legendary Smitten Kitchen, delivers it in spades.

While brownies often take center stage in the world of chocolatey treats, blondies offer a delightful alternative, showcasing the rich, caramel-like notes of brown sugar and butter. They’re a blank canvas for your culinary creativity, allowing you to customize them with nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, or even a swirl of peanut butter. The beauty of Smitten Kitchen Blondies lies in their versatility and ease of preparation. You don’t need any fancy equipment or complicated techniques to achieve bakery-worthy results.

People adore blondies for their irresistible combination of textures and flavors. The edges are perfectly crisp, giving way to a soft, chewy center that melts in your mouth. The warm, comforting aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is simply intoxicating. Plus, they’re incredibly convenient – perfect for a quick weeknight dessert, a potluck contribution, or a sweet treat to pack in your lunchbox. So, are you ready to experience the joy of baking and indulging in these sensational blondies? Let’s get started!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (142 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks or 226 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 3/4 cups (350 grams) packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (about 6 ounces) chocolate chips, chopped nuts, toffee bits, or a combination (I usually use chocolate chips and walnuts)

Preparing the Batter:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial! Make sure your oven is properly preheated for even baking.
2. Prepare your baking pan. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. You can also line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. This is my preferred method because it guarantees the blondies won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze. The overhang acts like handles, allowing you to lift the entire batch out of the pan at once.
3. Whisk together the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure to whisk thoroughly to ensure the baking powder and baking soda are evenly distributed. This will help the blondies rise properly and have a good texture.
4. Melt the butter. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted. Be careful not to burn the butter! Let it cool slightly before proceeding. The butter should be warm, not hot, to avoid cooking the eggs.
5. Combine the melted butter and brown sugar. In a large bowl, pour the slightly cooled melted butter over the packed light brown sugar. Whisk them together vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This step is important because it helps to dissolve the sugar and create a smooth, even batter. The mixture should look like wet sand.
6. Add the eggs and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The vanilla enhances the flavor of the blondies and adds a touch of warmth.
7. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter! Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough blondies. Mix until the flour streaks disappear, but don’t worry about a few small lumps.
8. Fold in the chocolate chips (or other mix-ins). Gently fold in the chocolate chips, chopped nuts, toffee bits, or whatever mix-ins you’re using. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter. I love using a combination of chocolate chips and walnuts for a classic flavor combination.

Baking Process:

1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Make sure the batter is spread all the way to the edges of the pan for even baking.
2. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. The edges should be golden brown and the center should be set. Keep a close eye on the blondies while they’re baking, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.
3. Cool completely before cutting. Let the blondies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This is important because the blondies will continue to set as they cool. If you try to cut them while they’re still warm, they’ll be too soft and gooey. If you used parchment paper with an overhang, lift the blondies out of the pan using the overhang and transfer them to a cutting board.

Tips for Perfect Blondies:

• Don’t overbake! Overbaked blondies will be dry and crumbly. It’s better to err on the side of slightly underbaked, as they will continue to set as they cool.
• Use good quality ingredients. The quality of your ingredients will affect the flavor of your blondies. Use good quality butter, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips for the best results.
• Measure your ingredients accurately. Baking is a science, so it’s important to measure your ingredients accurately. Use a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurements.
• Let the butter cool slightly. If the butter is too hot, it will cook the eggs and create a grainy texture. Let the butter cool slightly before adding it to the sugar.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough blondies. Mix until the flour streaks disappear, but don’t worry about a few small lumps.
• Experiment with mix-ins. Get creative with your mix-ins! Try adding different types of chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or toffee bits.
• Store the blondies properly. Store the blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

Variations:

• Chocolate Chunk Blondies: Use chopped chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
• Nutella Blondies: Swirl Nutella into the batter before baking for a decadent hazelnut flavor.
• Peanut Butter Blondies: Add peanut butter chips or swirl peanut butter into the batter for a peanut butter twist.
• Salted Caramel Blondies: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the baked blondies for a sweet and salty treat.
• White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies: Use white chocolate chips and add fresh or frozen raspberries to the batter.
• Cinnamon Roll Blondies: Swirl a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and melted butter into the batter before baking for a cinnamon roll flavor.
• Espresso Blondies: Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients for a coffee-flavored blondie.

Troubleshooting:

• Blondies are too dry: You may have overbaked the blondies. Try reducing the baking time next time. Also, make sure you’re measuring your ingredients accurately.
• Blondies are too gooey: You may have underbaked the blondies. Try increasing the baking time next time. Also, make sure your oven is properly preheated.
• Blondies are tough: You may have overmixed the batter. Be careful not to overmix the batter next time.
• Blondies are not rising: Your baking powder or baking soda may be expired. Make sure to use fresh baking powder and baking soda.
• Blondies are sticking to the pan: Make sure you grease and flour the pan properly or use parchment paper.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve the blondies warm or at room temperature.
• Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Drizzle with chocolate sauce or caramel sauce.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• Serve with a glass of milk or coffee.

Make Ahead Tips:

• The blondie batter can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
• Baked blondies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Equipment Needed:

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven

Why This Recipe Works:

This recipe is a classic for a reason! The combination of melted butter and brown sugar creates a chewy, moist texture that’s irresistible. The addition of baking powder and baking soda gives the blondies a slight lift, while the vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor. And of course, the chocolate chips (or other mix-ins) add a touch of sweetness and texture. This recipe is also very versatile, so you can easily customize it to your liking by adding different mix-ins or toppings.

A Note on Brown Sugar:

Using packed light brown sugar is crucial for the best texture and flavor in these blondies. The molasses in the brown

Conclusion:

And there you have it! These Smitten Kitchen Blondies are truly something special, and I wholeheartedly believe they deserve a spot in your regular baking rotation. Why? Because they deliver that perfect balance of chewy edges, a fudgy center, and an intensely buttery, brown sugar flavor that’s simply irresistible. They’re not just good; they’re memorable. They’re the kind of treat that makes you close your eyes and savor every single bite.

But beyond the incredible taste, what makes these blondies a must-try is their simplicity. Seriously, you don’t need to be a seasoned baker to whip up a batch of these beauties. The recipe is straightforward, the ingredients are readily available, and the results are consistently fantastic. It’s a recipe that practically guarantees success, even for baking novices. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a recipe that’s both delicious and easy?

Now, let’s talk about serving suggestions and variations because the possibilities are endless! These blondies are absolutely divine served warm, straight from the oven, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top. The contrast between the warm, gooey blondie and the cold, creamy ice cream is pure bliss. Or, for a more sophisticated touch, try pairing them with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of sea salt. The salt enhances the sweetness and adds a delightful complexity to the flavor profile.

But don’t stop there! Feel free to get creative and customize these blondies to your liking. Add a handful of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white – the choice is yours!) for an extra dose of chocolatey goodness. Or, stir in some chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for added texture and flavor. For a more decadent treat, swirl in some Nutella or peanut butter before baking. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm, spicy twist.

Another fun variation is to add dried fruit, such as cranberries or cherries, for a chewy and slightly tart contrast to the sweetness of the blondies. You could even experiment with different extracts, like almond or maple, to create unique and interesting flavor combinations. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s a blank canvas, ready for you to unleash your creativity and make it your own.

These Smitten Kitchen Blondies are more than just a recipe; they’re an experience. They’re a chance to indulge in a little bit of happiness, to share something delicious with loved ones, and to create memories that will last a lifetime.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these incredible blondies. I promise you won’t be disappointed. And when you do, please, please, please share your experience with me! I’d love to hear how they turned out, what variations you tried, and what your family and friends thought. You can leave a comment below, tag me on social media, or even send me an email. I’m always eager to hear from fellow baking enthusiasts. Happy baking, and enjoy every single bite of these amazing blondies! I am confident that you will find this Smitten Kitchen Blondies recipe to be a new favorite.