This blondie recipe, packed with chocolate chips and pecans, is my all-time favorite. You’ll notice it doesn’t call for baking soda or baking powder—that’s intentional. Blondies are meant to be dense and fudgy, not cakey, so they don’t rise much. (And yes, the nuts are optional. My kids claim I ruin everything with nuts, but I think they add just the right crunch.)
Blondie Ingredients
- Melted butter: Provides a rich, creamy base for the batter. Melted butter creates a denser, chewier blondie. You can also use browned butter for a nuttier flavor or swap it for coconut oil or non-dairy butter alternative if you need to make this without any dairy.
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like flavor, while granulated sugar sweetens and gives the blondies crisp edges and soft center. (Be sure to pack the brown sugar tightly.)
- Egg and vanilla extract: The egg binds everything together, while vanilla adds warm, aromatic flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure for the blondies. For the most accurate measurement, use the spoon-and-level method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge—don’t scoop directly from the bag, which can pack in too much flour.
- Semisweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans: These mix-ins add texture and flavor—melty chocolate in every bite and a subtle crunch from the pecans.
How to Make Blondies
Grab all your ingredients, line your 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F to make this easy blondie recipe.Step 1: Mix the butter and sugars. Combine the melted butter and both sugars in a large bowl. Beat together until well combined, about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add the egg and vanilla. Beat the egg and vanilla into the sugar and butter mixture until fully incorporated and the mixture looks cohesive.
Step 3: Mix in the dry ingredients. Add the flour and salt and beat on low speed until just combined.
Step 4: Add the chocolate chips and nuts. Stir them into the batter until evenly distributed. If you’re skipping the nuts, feel free to add a few extra chips instead.
Step 5: Transfer the batter to the pan. Transfer the batter to the pan and spread it into an even layer. It’s a thick batter, so take your time nudging it into the corners and a spatula works best for this process!
Step 6: Into the oven it goes. Bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is set and lightly golden. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely before lifting out and slicing.
Step 6: Into the oven it goes. Bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is set and lightly golden. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely before lifting out and slicing.
Pro Tips and Blondie Variations
- Swap the mix-ins: These blonde brownies are so versatile! Swap all or half the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips, change the nuts or leave them out, or even add some dried cranberries. Just keep the amount of mix-ins you add to 1 1/4 cups.
- Do not overbake: You want your blondies to have that fudgy, dense texture similar to brownies. The edges should be golden and the top set, though they may look a bit soft still in the middle. The blondie bars will continue to set as they cool down.
- Line your pan with parchment paper: It makes removing the blondies a breeze and ensures cleaner slices. Be sure to leave an overhang on two sides so you can lift the whole slab out of the pan once cooled.
- Want to double the recipe? This blondie recipe works great doubled and baked in a 9 x 13 pan.
