Salted Caramel Blondies Recipe

If there’s a treat that’s equal parts luxurious and comforting, it’s Salted Caramel Blondies. Imagine a soft, chewy blondie base swirled with rivers of glossy, gooey caramel and finished with the perfect pop of flakey sea salt. These blondies are a revelation—rich, buttery, and incredibly easy to whip up. This recipe is your golden ticket for quick weeknight desserts or an impressive finale to a friendly gathering, with minimal fuss in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather up your pantry staples and just a few extras to make these blondies shine:

• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and keeps the blondies chewy.
• Baking powder: Gives a subtle lift, keeping the result fudgy instead of dense.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing caramel flavor.
• Light brown sugar: The backbone of blondies; delivers moisture, chew, and rich molasses undertones.
• Unsalted butter: Melted for that decadent, soft crumb. Let it cool a bit before mixing with eggs to avoid scrambling.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and give that irresistible blondie texture.
• Vanilla extract: Elevates all the flavors—don’t skip it!
• White chocolate chips (optional): For creamy, sweet pops that nestle into the blondie.
• Caramel squares (like Kraft): These melt down perfectly for swirling throughout.
• Heavy cream: Helps create a drizzle-friendly caramel.
• Sea salt: The finishing touch; balances and deepens the sweetness.

Variations

• Nutty Crunch: Fold in a handful of toasted pecans, cashews, or walnuts for texture and depth.
• Dark Chocolate Drizzle: Skip the white chips and swirl melted dark chocolate with the caramel for a more grown-up twist.
• Brown Butter Base: Take your butter one step further and brown it—just heat until golden and nutty, then proceed as usual for a toasty undertone.
• Fruit Forward: Mix in a small handful of dried cherries or cranberries for a tart surprise.
• Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose for your favorite 1-for-1 gluten-free flour blend.

How to Make Salted Caramel Blondies

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, letting the paper hang over the edges for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Sift Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This will ensure your blondies bake evenly and stay beautifully tender.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, add the cooled melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until it’s light, creamy, and almost fluffy—this makes for a seriously good base. Next, mix in eggs and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Slowly fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients—don’t overmix! If you’re in the mood for white chocolate chips, now’s the time to add them. Spread this luscious batter into your prepared dish, spreading it to the edges.

Step 5: Make and Swirl the Caramel

In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine your caramel squares and heavy cream. Microwave for about a minute, pausing to stir halfway. If needed, give it another 15-20 seconds—just until smooth. Let it cool slightly, then drizzle generously over the blondie batter in a zigzag pattern. Use a knife to swirl the caramel in—it doesn’t have to be perfect.

Step 6: Bake and Finish

Pop the pan in the oven for 28-32 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Right after it comes out, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top. The residual heat will help the salt stick and slightly melt into the caramel—divine!

How to Serve

These blondies are heaven on their own, but they’re ridiculously easy to dress up:

• With Ice Cream: Serve warm squares alongside a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream.
• Coffee’s Best Friend: Pair with a hot cup of coffee or espresso for a midday pick-me-up or easy dessert.
• Ultimate Sundae: Stack brownie cubes, a drizzle of extra caramel, whipped cream, and chopped nuts for a blondie sundae.
• Gift-Worthy: Wrap individual squares in parchment and tie with twine for a sweet homemade present.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay chewy and fresh!

Freezing

Blondies freeze beautifully. Wrap individual squares snugly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature whenever your cravings hit.

Reheating

Zap a square in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for that warm, gooey, just-baked feel. If serving to a group, refresh in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Salted Caramel Blondies deserve a spot on every dessert lover’s must-bake list—they’re quick, reliably scrumptious, and offer up layers of sweet, buttery, salty bliss. The hardest part? Waiting for them to cool before diving in. Trust yourself, experiment with add-ins, and enjoy sharing (or hoarding) these golden bars of happiness. Don’t be surprised if they become your most requested treat!

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