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    Home » Recipes » Brownies & Bars

    Browned Butter White Chocolate Blondies

    Published: Nov 15, 2021 · Last Modified: Jun 22, 2022 by Emma · 9 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Browned Butter White Chocolate Blondies are one of the simplest bars to make with maximum flavour. Soft and chewy, with a beautiful caramel, nutty undertone and loaded with white chocolate and walnuts, they are hard to beat.

    White chocolate blondies cut into squares

    Brownies and Bars are a firm favourite snack at home. They are simple to make, serves many, can be eaten for a teatime treat or turned into a delectable dessert with the addition of a scoop of ice cream. My Dark Chocolate Walnut Blondies are a perfect small-batch treat, whilst my Cherry Brownies use in-season cherries to perfection. And let's not forget my Lotus Biscoff White Chocolate Blondies - they are unreal!!

    My love affair with browned butter blondies first started whilst living in Sydney, Australia. They're a popular café treat in Australia, and when we moved back to London, UK, I knew that I would have to re-create them.

    These White Chocolate Blondies are delectable, to say the least. I browned the butter in these so that I could maximise the nutty notes of the brown butter alongside the molasses flavour from the brown sugar. The taste is well rounded, nutty and sweet, but not cloyingly so. The white chocolate adds another fantastic flavour, whilst the walnuts complement the nuttiness and add a fab crunch. With a papery thin top and a fudgy, soft centre, these White Chocolate Blondies are delicious in every way.

    Slices of white chocolate blondies on a chopping board
    Contents hide
    1 Why you'll love this recipe
    2 Ingredients needed
    3 Step-by-step instructions
    4 Variations
    5 Pro tips re-cap
    6 Frequently asked questions
    7 How to store and freeze
    8 Equipment you’ll need
    9 More recipes with white chocolate that you'll like
    10 Browned Butter White Chocolate Blondies Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Comes together quickly. These blondies can be made and in the oven in under 20 minutes and you let the oven do the rest of the work!
    • Pantry ingredients. With under 10 ingredients needed to make these, you'll most likely have them in your pantry or fridge making these easy to make when the cravings are real!
    • You can create your own adventure. I love the fact that you can swap out the white chocolate and walnuts for any other type of chocolate, dried fruit or nuts. You can literally go with what you feel like in that minute!
    • Makes the perfect portable snack. Baked in a paper sling, once cooled, the blondies can easily be removed and cut into squares and transported. Office potluck here we come!

    Ingredients needed

    Some compare blondies to going cookie bars, but I have to say that these are a stand alone dessert recipe by themselves. All the ingredients are basic pantry or refrigerator ingredients. If you organise your panty/fridge like I do, then I know I have everything on hand. Checkout my insightful guide as to What's In My Baking Pantry for some invaluable tips.

    Individual ingredients portioned out to make blondies
    • Butter - Unsalted butter is used. Don't worry about cold or room temperature as it will be melted and browned in the first step of the recipe. Unconfident when browning butter- don't worry, I go into detail a bit further down the post.
    • Brown Sugar - Using brown sugar adds extra caramelly notes to the blondie from the high levels of molasses in the sugar. Not only does it pack in flavour but also moisture to the blondies.
    • Eggs - I use large eggs in all my recipes. Here 2 whole eggs and 1 extra egg yolk is used. The extra yolk adds richness and more chew to the texture. The eggs in general, bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
    • Vanilla Extract - You can use vanilla bean paste, or the seeds of a vanilla pod as an alternative. The vanilla adds another layer of flavour that works well with the brown sugar and white chocolate.
    • Flour - Plain (all purpose) flour is used rather than self raising flour and just enough flour to bring the batter together without making the blondies cakey once baked.
    • Baking Powder - A small amount is used to create lift in the batter.
    • Salt - Absolutely necessary to balance out the sweetness from the sugar and white chocolate.
    • White Chocolate - My preference is to use chocolate bars and coarsley chop them to get the different size chunks. With chocolate chips, they hold their shape once baked due to how they are made, whereas I love the chocolate puddles that chunks make. However, you do you here, and use chocolate chips if you'd prefer.
    • Walnuts - A fabulous addition to the White Chocolate Blondies to accentuate the nutty notes of the brown butter. Leave the nuts out if you aren't a fan.

    Step-by-step instructions

    *Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*

    I can't say it enough, these really are the best White Chocolate Blondies as they are so simple to make yet taste so incredible. I think the hardest part is browning the butter, but because I describe to you exactly how to do this, you won't have any problems at all. The rest is a piece of cake, so without further ado, let me show you exactly how to make these blondies.

    Make sure to check out my Guide on How To Brown Butter for my detailed step-by-step instructions and process imagery.

    Process of browning butter and preparing the pan for baking

    1. Brown the butter. Turn normal melted butter into a thing of nutty goodness in one simple step. Add the butter to a saucepan set over medium heat and allow the butter to melt. Once melted, the butter will start to foam and bubble (Image 1) and this is the point that the milk solids have separated from the fats and they'll start to caramelise on the base of the saucepan. Watch the yellow butter turn golden and then brown.

    Once the butter is browned, take the pan off the stove and pour it into a bowl. The butter can go from brown to burnt quite quickly. Set the butter aside cool for ten minutes. (Image 2)

    TIP: Brown butter bits

    Once the brown butter is poured into a bowl, make sure to scrape out all the brown bits that are stuck to the bottom of the saucepan. These bits are where all the nutty, rich flavour is held. The aroma of brown butter is enticing and intoxicating.

    2. Prepare your pan. Grease and line the base and sides of a 23 x 23cm (9x9-inch) square baking pan and set to one side. Check out my handy tip below. (Image 3)

    TIP: Paper Overhang

    Make sure that the baking paper overhangs the sides of your baking pan. Once the blondies are baked, you can easily lift out the blondies to place them on a wire rack to cool completely. Such a simple tip that really helps later on!

    3. Mix sugar into the butter. Whilst the butter is still warm, add the brown sugar into a bowl and mix with hand-held electric beaters until the sugar is mixed in and the butter has cooled slightly. (Image 4)

    Process of making blondies in a bowl with hand held electric be

    4. Add eggs and beat. Add the 2 eggs, 1 egg yolk and vanilla extract into the bowl and beat with the electric hand-held beaters until the batter is pale in colour and thickened. This can take a couple of minutes to achieve. (Image 5 & 6)

    TIP: Aerate the eggs

    By beating the eggs into the sugar and butter until they are pale, you are incorporating lots of air into them, kind of like a meringue. In the oven, the top of the blondies bake to form a thin shiny crust. This is exactly what we want!

    5. Sift in the dry ingredients. I'm all about saving time washing up, so I don't ask you to sift the dry ingredients into a separate bowl and then add it into the batter. Nope. Sift that flour, baking powder and salt right on top of your batter. And then fold it in with a rubber spatula- but only until you see some flour streaks remain. This ensures you don't overmix it! (Image 7)

    6. Add the flavourings. Now's the chance to add in your flavourings. (Image 8) Obviously white chocolate, but I also included chopped walnuts to bring out the nutty flavours and add textural contrast. Stir those in until just combined.

    White Chocolate Blondies in a baking tray before and after baking.

    7. Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level off with an offset spatula and then bake until the centre is just set and the top is golden (Image 9 & 10). The top will be shiny and paper-thin and the interior chewy around the edges and fudgy in the centre.

    Set the baking pan on a wire rack and leave to cool completely. Then use the paper overhang to lift the blondie square out of the pan. For super neat edges refrigerate the brown butter blondie for an hour. To cut the blondies, use a sharp knife run under warm water to heat the blade and cut. After every slice, wipe the blade clean. With this trick,, you'll achieve super clean, neat edges like a pro.

    Enjoy these cold, at room temperature or warm - whichever way, these blondies will taste incredible. Secretly, I love these warm (microwave for ten seconds if need be) and topped with a cheeky scoop of vanilla ice cream. Just dreamy!

    White chocolate blondies sliced on a serving board

    Variations

    I adore the flavour combination of the white chocolate and walnuts in this recipe, but I've created a great base recipe that you can add in some super alternatives.

    • Raspberry Blondies: Add in a cupful of fresh or frozen raspberries and stir through the batter. The sweet fruit will sit perfectly alongside the blondie taste.
    • Biscoff Blondies: Swirl this awesome spread throughout the batter for a flavour boost.
    • Dark Chocolate Pecan Blondies: Probably my favourite flavour add-ins. The bitterness of the dark chocolate balances out the sweetness of the blondies and the pecans emphasize all the nutty brown butter taste.

    Other flavour addins you might like can be dried cherries or cranberries, fresh fruit such as blueberries or blackberries, or other types of nuts like hazelnuts or almonds.

    Pro tips re-cap

    1. Brown butter bits. Make sure to scrape all those brown butter bits from the bottom of the saucepan- that's where the flvour is held.
    2. Paper overhang. Set yourself up for success and make sure to use the baking paper as sling.
    3. Glossy, crackley thin top. The sure fire way to get that golden papery thin shiny top is to whip the eggs until pale and thick so that they can work their magic once baked.

    Stack of brown butter white chocolate blondies
    blondie squares on plate.

    Frequently asked questions

    What exactly are blondies?

    They are essentially the fairer cousin of a brownie. They are a rich and quite sweet dessert made up of flour, butter, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla and baking powder.
    Unlike a brownie, they don’t have any cocoa powder in them. This allows the flavour of the brown sugar to shine through and this gives the blondies a beautiful caramel taste too.

    Do I have to brown the butter for these to work?

    Absolutely not. I do it as I love the extra layer of flavour that brown butter imparts, but if you don't fancy it, then just melt the butter as normal and carry on with the recipe.

    Why are my blondies so cakey?

    Two things spring to mind. It could be as a result of measuring out your flour with a cup rather than by using digital scales. There is a far higher room for error when measuring with a cup as you can inadvertently measure too much flour into the batter making it cakey.
    Oven temperature and the length of time baking plays a huge part. I give my temperature and baking time guide but everyone's oven runes slightly differently. Over baking will cause the blondies to lose their fudginess and develop more of a cakey texture.

    Single white chocolate blondie on a plate

    How to store and freeze

    To store: Store these Brown Butter White Chocolate Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to 7 days.

    To freeze: Freeze individual blondies wrapped well in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and enjoy.

    Equipment you’ll need

    • Baking pan 23x23cm (9x9in): The perfect size for 16 perfect blondie squares.
    • Hand-held Electric Beaters: The easiest way to whip air into the eggs. If you want to use a standard whisk then that's no problem. You may not get the papery top though, but it will still taste delicious.

    More recipes with white chocolate that you'll like

    • Raspberry White Chocolate Pop Tarts
    • Lemon Cupcakes with White Chocolate Ganache
    • Strawberry Shortcake White Chocolate Bark

    I truly hope that you try out this easy-to-make, no-fail Brown Butter Blondies Recipe, as after one bite you'll fall in love with them!

    If you tried this Brown Butter White Chocolate Blondies or any other recipe on my website, please let me know how you go in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Also, please leave a star rating whilst you're there!

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter, so that you don’t miss out on more delicious food, tips and news but also the chance to download your FREE DESSERT E-BOOK! Happy baking friends!

    This post was originally published in November 2019 but has been updated with new photos, new content and a revised recipe.

    Brown Butter White Chocolate Blondies cut into squares.
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    5 from 4 votes

    Browned Butter White Chocolate Blondies Recipe

    White Chocolate Browned Butter Blondies ... are really as delicious as they sound. Soft and chewy with a beautiful caramel, nutty undertone. It’ll be hard to stop at one!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Category: Brownies & Bars
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 16 squares
    Calories: 334kcal
    Author: Emma Duckworth

    Equipment

    • Square baking pan 23cm (9-inch)
    • Hand-held electric beaters

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 170 g unsalted butter
    • 330 g brown sugar, firmly packed
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 large egg yolk
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 220 g plain flour (all-purpose)
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon fine salt
    • 200 g white chocolate chips, coarsely chopped
    • 120 g walnuts, lightly toasted

    Instructions

    • Brown the butter. Pre-heat oven to 170°C (340°F). In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt your butter. Continue to cook until the butter is golden brown and has a nutty fragrance. This takes about 4-5 minutes.  Note that the butter turns very quickly from golden to burnt, so keep an eye on it. Remove from the heat, pour into a large mixing bowl, and leave at room temperature cool for ten minutes.
    • Prepare your pan. Line a 23cm (9-inch) square baking pan with parchment paper. Leave an overhang on the sides so that it is easy to lift the blondies out after they are baked.
    • Mix sugar into the butter. Into the bowl with the brown butter, add brown sugar and using hand-held electric beaters, to beat on high until well mixed in.
    • Add eggs. Add the 2 eggs, the 1 egg yolk and vanilla extract into the mixing bowl and using the hand-held electric beaters on high speed, beat until the mixture is visibly paler and thicker. This can take 3 to 4 minutes to achieve. The length of time not only cools the butter down but also aerates the eggs.
    • Add dry ingredients. Sift into this mixture the flour, baking powder and salt and fold through using a rubber spatula until a few flour streaks remain.
    • Add chocolate and nuts. Fold in the white chocolate and walnuts until just combined. Spoon batter into the prepared baking tray and level with an offset spatula. 
    • Bake. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned on top and the sides are set, and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs. Rotate the pan halfway through baking.
      Remove from the oven and let sit in the pan for ten minutes. Using the paper, lift the blondie square out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely. Use a sharp knife, to cut into 16 squares and serve immediately.

    All recipes are developed and tested in Metric grams. I strongly recommend that you bake using digital scales for a more accurate result. I have provided a conversion to US customary in the recipe but please note that I haven’t tested using this method.

    Notes

    Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe.
    How to store: Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
    Freeze: Wrap blondies individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
    Alternatives: Substitute with other chopped nuts, dried fruit or sub white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate for a variation.
    TIP 1: Brown butter bits. Make sure to scrape all those brown butter bits from the bottom of the saucepan- that's where the flavour is held.
    TIP 2: Paper overhang. Set yourself up for success and make sure to use the baking paper as sling.
    TIP 3: Glossy, crackly thin top. The sure-fire way to get that golden papery thin top is to whip the eggs until pale and thick so that they can work their magic once baked.
    Tips 4: Don't overcook. You want a slight jiggle in the centre of the blondie for that soft, fudgy interior. Bake for longer for a more ‘cakey’ texture. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 317IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg
    Have you tried this recipe yet?Mention @emmaduckworthbakes or tag #emmaduckworthbakes! I’d love to see what you are getting up to in the kitchen!

    More Homemade Brownies & Bars

    • Easy Triple Chocolate Brownies
    • Easy Lotus Biscoff and White Chocolate Blondies
    • Decadent Small Batch Brownies filled with Caramel Sauce
    • Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cindy

      August 20, 2019 at 2:15 am

      I am on team blonde all the way. I think that brownies get way too much undeserved love.
      Browned butter makes everything better. Can’t wait to bake these.

      Reply
      • Emma

        August 20, 2019 at 10:04 am

        Ha! I totally agree with you. They have such a subtle nutty flavour that I love! My next batch, I want to add raspberries to these- yum!!

        Reply
    2. Sarah

      November 16, 2021 at 10:51 am

      5 stars
      I made these White Chocolate Blondies over the weekend and oh my word- what a delight- huge hit in our household- kids loved them. Browning the butter is a fab tip- adds so much flavour and takes no time at all. These are the best! Sarah

      Reply
    3. Wendy

      April 20, 2022 at 11:32 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic recipe. Your instructions are so clear and easy to follow. Tips were great, especially helpful for a self-taught home baker like myself. Thanks so much for sharing. Look forward to trying out your other recipes soon.

      Reply
      • Emma

        April 21, 2022 at 6:46 am

        Hi Wendy - thanks so much for the review on my white chocolate blondies. I love creating my posts with lots of useful info so that any baker can tackle a recipe confidently 🙂 So glad you found this gave you confidence. x

        Reply

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