There’s something truly special about the warm, comforting aroma that fills your kitchen when you’re making these Browned Butter Blondies. Each bite offers a delightful combination of soft, chewy centers and beautifully crisp edges, all while being kissed with nutty notes from the browned butter. It’s the kind of treat that feels like a hug on a chilly evening, perfect for sharing with family or savoring during a quiet moment with a book.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Not only are these blondies incredibly simple to whip up, but they also bring a unique depth of flavor thanks to the browned butter and that touch of maple syrup. Each square is packed with sweetness and a crumbly walnut topping that elevates the experience to something truly wonderful. Trust me, once you try them warm from the oven, you’ll be sharing this recipe with everyone you know!

Ingredients Needed For Browned Butter Blondies

• 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter: Start with unsalted butter for better control over seasoning. The browning is what adds that lovely, nutty flavor.
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the backbone of your blondies. Make sure to fluff and spoon the flour into your measuring cup for accuracy.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: This provides a little lift, resulting in a tender texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavors.
• 1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed: Brown sugar gives moisture and that irresistible caramel-like taste.
• 1/2 cup sugar: A mix of sugars adds depth and sweetness that complements the brown sugar.
• 1/3 cup maple syrup: Adds a lovely warmth and depth; opt for pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
• 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk: The extra yolk enriches the batter, leading to that soft, chewy texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor that rounds out the sweetness of the blondies.

Walnut Topping:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: This helps bind the topping, creating a crumbly texture.
• 3 Tablespoons brown sugar, tightly packed: This enhances the caramel notes in the topping.
• 2 Tablespoons butter: A little melted butter makes the topping rich and tasty.
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts: These add a nice crunch and nuttiness that complements the blondies wonderfully.

How to Make Browned Butter Blondies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease and flour a 9×9-inch pan—this ensures easy release later!
2. Cut the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and melt it over medium-low heat.
3. Once melted, increase the heat to medium. Swirl the pan regularly; look for the butter to turn golden brown and develop a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool for 15 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Stir the brown sugar and white sugar into the cooled butter until well combined, then add the maple syrup.
6. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until smooth.
7. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, then pour it into the prepared pan.
8. For the walnut topping, pulse the flour and brown sugar in a food processor. Add melted butter and mix until you have coarse crumbs. Stir in the walnuts.
9. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blondie batter and bake for about 35 minutes or until golden and set in the middle.
10. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

How to Serve Browned Butter Blondies

Serve these blondies warm for the ultimate experience! Pair them with vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures, or drizzle some salted caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch. They also make a wonderful afternoon snack with a steaming cup of tea or coffee.

How to Store Browned Butter Blondies

Keep your blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to enjoy them even longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To freeze, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.

Tips to Make Browned Butter Blondies

• Take your time browning the butter: This step is essential for flavor. Don’t rush it, and keep a close eye to avoid burning.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to tough blondies. Just mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
• Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
• Customize the toppings: If walnuts aren’t your thing, consider pecans, chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty twist.

Variations and Substitutions

• Nut-Free: Simply omit the walnut topping or replace it with chocolate chips.
• Extra Flavor: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a hint of spice.
• Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Vegan Option: Use vegan butter and flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg) instead of traditional eggs and butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but if you use salted butter, you may want to reduce the added salt in the recipe to keep everything balanced.

How can I tell if my blondies are done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they are done. If it’s wet with batter, let them bake a few more minutes.

Can I make blondies in advance and freeze them?

Absolutely! These blondies freeze well. Wrap them individually and store them in an airtight container for up to three months.

What can I use instead of walnuts?

You can easily substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or even enjoy them plain without any nuts for a softer texture.

How do I know if the butter is browned properly?

The butter should turn a deep golden brown and have a nutty aroma. Keep swirling the pan and watch closely to prevent it from burning!

Browned Butter Blondies

These Browned Butter Blondies are a delightful treat featuring soft, chewy centers and crisp edges, enriched with nutty browned butter and topped with crunchy walnuts.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12 pieces

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the blondies

• 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter Start with unsalted butter for better control over seasoning.
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Fluff and spoon the flour into your measuring cup for accuracy.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Provides a little lift, resulting in a tender texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavors.
• 1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed Gives moisture and caramel-like taste.
• 1/2 cup sugar Adds depth and sweetness.
• 1/3 cup maple syrup Opt for pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
• 2 large eggs Extra yolk enriches the batter.
• 1 each egg yolk Additional yolk for a soft, chewy texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Rounds out the sweetness.

For the walnut topping

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour Helps bind the topping.
• 3 Tablespoons brown sugar, tightly packed Enhances caramel notes in the topping.
• 2 Tablespoons butter Melted butter makes the topping rich.
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Adds crunch and nuttiness.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease and flour a 9×9-inch pan.
• Cut the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and melt it over medium-low heat.
• Once melted, increase the heat to medium, swirl the pan regularly, and look for the butter to turn golden brown and develop a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool for 15 minutes.

Batter Mixing

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Stir the brown sugar and white sugar into the cooled butter until well combined, then add the maple syrup.
• Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until smooth.
• Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, then pour it into the prepared pan.

Add Topping and Bake

• For the walnut topping, pulse the flour and brown sugar in a food processor. Add melted butter and mix until you have coarse crumbs. Stir in the walnuts.
• Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blondie batter and bake for about 35 minutes or until golden and set in the middle.

Serving

• Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

Notes

For nut-free, omit the walnut topping or replace with chocolate chips. Extra flavor can be added with cinnamon or nutmeg. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For vegan, replace with vegan butter and flax eggs.

Keyword Baking Recipe, Blondies, Browned Butter Blondies, Chewy Blondies, Dessert Recipe