Easy Blondies (Chewy Brown Sugar Brownies)
Blondies are brownies made with brown sugar instead of chocolate — chewy, dense, and full of butterscotch flavor. They come together in one bowl with melted butter, no mixer and no chilling, and bake in a single 8×8 pan. The brown sugar and vanilla do all the work, giving that deep caramel taste with gooey chocolate chips throughout.
The Quick Version
- Brown sugar + melted butter = chewy with butterscotch flavor.
- Just ½ tsp baking powder — more makes them cakey, not chewy.
- One bowl, no mixer, no chilling.
- Cool completely before cutting so they set into chewy bars.
How to make them
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C); line an 8×8 pan. Whisk ½ cup melted butter with 1 cup brown sugar, then the egg and vanilla.
- Stir in flour, baking powder and salt, then fold in ¾ cup chocolate chips.
- Spread the thick batter into the pan.
- Bake 22–26 minutes until golden and set but the center is still soft. Cool completely.
Foolproof tip: pull them when the center looks just-underdone — blondies overbake fast, and a slightly soft center is what keeps them chewy.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a blondie and a brownie?
Same chewy texture, but blondies skip cocoa and get their flavor from brown sugar and vanilla — a butterscotch taste instead of chocolate.
Why are my blondies cakey?
Too much leavening or overbaking. Use just ½ tsp baking powder, mostly brown sugar and melted butter, and don’t overbake.
Can I add mix-ins?
Yes — chocolate or butterscotch chips, nuts, toffee, or a peanut butter swirl. Keep it to about ¾–1 cup total.
Easy Blondies
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8×8 pan with parchment. Whisk the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth, then whisk in the egg and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt until just combined, then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Spread into the pan (the batter is thick) and bake 22-26 minutes, until the top is golden and set but the center is still soft.
- Cool completely in the pan before cutting – they firm up into chewy bars as they cool.
More brownies & bars
Part of our easy brownie & bar recipes. Want chocolate instead? Try one-bowl fudgy brownies, or go fruity with lemon bars.
