These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies are a decadent twist on traditional blondies, featuring the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter combined with gooey chocolate chips. The use of brown butter gives these treats a depth of flavor that takes them from simple to extraordinary. These blondies are perfect for anyone who loves the texture of a chewy cookie and the flavor of browned butter, making them irresistible for any occasion.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Blondies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold

• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs, cold

• 1 large egg yolk, cold

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

• 1 cup chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips

For the Frosting:

• 12 oz full-fat brick-style cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 3 1/2 – 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)

Directions

1. Make the Brown Butter: In a stainless steel or light-colored pan, cook the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until the butter becomes golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.

2. Prepare the Blondie Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together light brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fluffy. Gradually stream in the brown butter while whisking constantly. Fold in the flour, salt, and chocolate chips.

3. Bake the Blondies: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 28-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let the pan cool completely on a wire cooling rack.

4. Make the Frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add salt, vanilla extract, and lemon zest (if using), then gradually add powdered sugar until the desired sweetness and thickness are achieved.

5. Assemble the Blondies: Once the blondies have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into squares and serve.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 220 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 28g

• Protein: 2g

• Fat: 12g

  • Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 40mg

• Sodium: 150mg

• Potassium: 180mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 22g

The Brown Butter: Nutty and Rich

The key to these blondies’ exceptional flavor is the brown butter. By cooking the butter over medium heat until it turns golden brown, you unlock its rich, nutty taste. The process of browning butter involves cooking it until the milk solids caramelize and give the butter a deep, toasty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the blondies. When added to the batter, the brown butter infuses each bite with a warm, nutty richness that takes these blondies from ordinary to extraordinary.

It’s important to cool the brown butter to room temperature before using it in the batter. If the butter is too hot, it could affect the consistency of the dough, making it greasy. Letting it cool ensures the right texture and flavor in the final product.

Blondie Batter: A Chewy, Flavorful Base

Making the batter for these blondies is easy and straightforward. Begin by whisking together the sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract until fluffy. The combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar gives these blondies their signature sweetness and helps achieve the perfect chewy texture. Adding a whole egg and an additional egg yolk ensures the blondies stay moist and dense.

Gradually stream in the cooled brown butter while whisking constantly to ensure it’s incorporated smoothly. Then fold in the flour, salt, and chocolate chips. The flour helps create a sturdy base for the blondies, while the salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor. The chocolate chips add delicious pockets of melted chocolate, which create gooey bites of goodness throughout the blondies.

Baking the Blondies: Golden and Chewy

Once the batter is prepared, spread it evenly into a greased and parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan. This ensures that the blondies come out easily and have even edges. Bake the blondies at 350°F (180°C) for 28-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. The baking time will vary slightly depending on your oven, but be careful not to overbake, as you want the blondies to stay chewy in the center.

Let the pan cool completely on a wire cooling rack. Allowing the blondies to cool ensures the frosting will stay intact and not melt when spread over the top. Once cooled, they are ready for the cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Smooth and Tangy

The frosting for these blondies is a rich, smooth cream cheese buttercream, which perfectly complements the sweetness of the blondies. Cream cheese adds a tangy richness that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the blondies, while the butter makes the frosting creamy and smooth. The addition of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt enhances the flavor, and the optional lemon zest adds a fresh citrus note that brightens the entire dessert.

To make the frosting, simply beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar to achieve the desired sweetness and consistency. The frosting should be thick but spreadable, and it will be perfectly spreadable once applied to the cooled blondies.

Assembling the Blondies: Frosting and Serving

Once the blondies have cooled, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top. Use a spatula to smooth it evenly, covering the entire surface. The cream cheese frosting adds a luscious, creamy layer that makes these blondies even more indulgent.

After frosting, slice the blondies into squares and serve. The frosting adds a rich creaminess, while the brown butter and chocolate chips provide the perfect contrast in flavor and texture. The blondies are best served at room temperature or slightly chilled for a firm, set frosting.

Serving Suggestions

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies with Cream Cheese Frosting are perfect on their own, but they can also be paired with a variety of accompaniments. Serve them with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more indulgent dessert experience.

These blondies are perfect for any occasion—whether you’re serving them at a party, as a homemade gift, or simply as a sweet treat for yourself. They are easy to make, yet feel special and indulgent, making them an ideal dessert for any celebration.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies contains approximately 220 calories. These blondies are relatively high in fat (12g), with 7g of saturated fat from the butter and cream cheese. However, they provide 2g of protein from the eggs and cream cheese, making them a satisfying treat.

With 28g of carbohydrates and 22g of sugar per serving, these blondies are definitely a sweet indulgence. They also contain 1g of fiber, which helps to balance out the sugar content. The dish provides moderate amounts of sodium (150mg) and potassium (180mg) from the ingredients, and is a good source of calcium (150mg) due to the cream cheese.

Customizing the Recipe

While this recipe is already delicious, there are several ways to customize it based on personal preferences or dietary needs. For example:

• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, making sure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

• Different Chips: Swap the dark chocolate chips for milk chocolate or white chocolate chips if you prefer a sweeter or different flavor profile.

• Nuts: Add some chopped walnuts or pecans to the blondie batter for an added crunch.

• Frosting Variations: If you’re not a fan of cream cheese, you can replace the frosting with a traditional buttercream frosting or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar for a lighter option.

Conclusion

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies are a decadent, indulgent treat that will satisfy any sweet tooth. The nutty depth of flavor from the brown butter combined with gooey chocolate chips and rich cream cheese frosting creates a dessert that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, these blondies are sure to impress. Their chewy texture, rich flavor, and creamy frosting make them the perfect dessert for any occasion.