Ordinarily, I’d roll my eyes at such a wishy-washy stand, but hey, there are times when you don’t need to take sides. Take brownies and blondies, for example. These two bar desserts are often pitted against each other: Either you’re a brownie person or a blondie person. You love chocolate or you don’t. But, yes, I like — love, really — them both!
Brownies tend to get the most attention of the two, so I thought it was time to give blondies their due. If you’re like me, you appreciate the caramel and vanilla undertones, the chewy texture, the way they can take on so many different flavors or mix-ins and, of course, how easy they are to make. Here are some great options from our archives.
Brown Butter Blondies
Pictured above. The ingredient list is simple, but the secret to these squares is brown butter, which lends nutty flavor and attractive color to a wide variety of sweet and savory foods. Get the recipe.
Pistachio-Coconut Blondies
Caraway contributes an interesting background note to these squares, which proved a sleeper hit in our 2023 holiday cookies project. Get the recipe.
Chocolate Chunk Tahini Blondies
This recipe has also proved popular with readers over the years. Tahini adds a subtle savory edge that keeps the bars from going too sweet, which is common with blondies. Get the recipe.
Snickerdoodle Blondies
“I would not change a thing,” says one reader review of this gently spiced blondie that many have made since we first shared it in 2018. Get the recipe.
Skillet Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies
Watch your dinner guests ooh and aah when you bring out a warm skillet full of gooey, nutty, chocolaty blondies. Yes, they’re not always square! Get the recipe.
Warm Blondie Pudding Cake
Almond meal helps keep this dessert, loaded with butter and melted white chocolate, gluten-free. Get the recipe.
Milk Chocolate and Raspberry Jam Blondies
If you’re looking for ideas to use up salted butter in baking, here’s your answer. Get the recipe.
