Irresistible Chewy Chocolate Chip Blondies: The Ultimate Easy Recipe

Imagine the perfect harmony between a rich, fudgy brownie and a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie. That’s precisely what you get with these delightful Chocolate Chip Blondies. More than just a simple bar, a blondie offers a unique texture and flavor profile that stands apart, boasting a deep, caramelized brown sugar base that forms a comforting contrast to the classic chocolate chip cookie. They are incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with almost any type of flavored chip or mix-in your heart desires. From classic butterscotch to luxurious dark chocolate, or even a whimsical blend of milk chocolate and peanut butter chips, each variation promises a wonderfully delicious experience.

My own journey with this particular blondie recipe led to a delightful discovery. While out of standard semi-sweet chocolate chips, a bag of peanut butter & milk chocolate chips proved to be an exceptional substitute. The combination created an unforgettable depth of flavor, marrying the sweet and salty notes of peanut butter with the comforting richness of milk chocolate. This adaptability is one of the many reasons these homemade blondies have become a household favorite, perfect for any occasion, from casual family desserts to impressive potluck contributions.

Why These Chewy Blondies Will Be Your New Favorite

Blondies are often overshadowed by their darker, chocolate-laden cousin, the brownie, but they offer a unique charm that’s hard to resist. Unlike brownies, which get their signature flavor from cocoa, blondies shine with the rich, caramel notes of brown sugar and vanilla. This recipe perfectly encapsulates that essence, delivering a chewy texture and a buttery sweetness that is utterly addictive. It’s truly the best of both worlds – the satisfying chew of a cookie in an easy-to-slice bar form. They are incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal fuss and common pantry ingredients, making them an ideal choice for both novice bakers and seasoned pros. This easy blondie recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves a good homemade treat.

This particular recipe comes from a trusted source, the Taste of Home’s cookbook (page 668), a collection renowned for its reliable and delicious home-style recipes. When my daughter specifically requested these Chocolate Chip Blondies, I knew it would be a hit. My unplanned substitution of peanut butter & milk chocolate chips for the semi-sweet ones turned out to be a stroke of genius. The combination was a resounding success, adding a delightful twist to the traditional flavor profile and proving that sometimes, the best recipes come from a little improvisation. These chewy blondies quickly became a cherished family favorite, cementing their place in our dessert rotation.

Customizing Your Blondie Recipe: Endless Possibilities

One of the most exciting aspects of this chocolate chip blondies recipe is its incredible adaptability. While they are perfect as-is, the base recipe acts as a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. If you’re a fan of a little crunch in your baked goods, feel free to incorporate some chopped nuts. Walnuts and pecans are classic choices that complement the buttery brown sugar flavor beautifully, adding a satisfying texture and earthy undertones. Simply fold them in along with the chocolate chips for an extra dimension of flavor and crunch. These blondies are truly a playground for your taste buds, allowing for personalized variations every time you bake them.

Beyond nuts, the possibilities for mix-ins are virtually limitless. Consider swapping out the semisweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate for a more intense cocoa flavor, or opt for milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier bite. Butterscotch chips will infuse your blondies with a distinct caramel-like sweetness, while white chocolate chips offer a delicate, vanilla-infused contrast. For those who love a bit of adventure, try adding toffee bits, shredded coconut, or even a swirl of jam before baking. The key is to have fun and make these easy blondies truly your own, creating a unique treat tailored to your preferences.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Chocolate Chip Blondies

Achieving the perfect chewy blondie comes down to a few simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to make this amazing blondie recipe:

• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar: This is the heart of any good blondie. Packed brown sugar provides the deep, caramel notes and contributes significantly to the chewy texture. For the best results, do not substitute with granulated sugar, as it won’t yield the same rich flavor or desired chewiness.
• 1/2 cup butter, melted: Melted butter ensures a dense, fudgy texture rather than a cake-like one. It also adds a rich, comforting flavor that is quintessential to a great blondie.
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten: Eggs are crucial for structure and moisture, binding the ingredients together and helping to achieve that desired chewiness. Using large eggs is generally recommended for consistent results.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A good quality vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors and is indispensable for a classic blondie taste. Pure vanilla extract will give you the best depth of flavor.
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundational dry ingredient, providing structure without making the blondies too dense. Make sure to level your flour for accurate measurement.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Just enough to give a slight lift, preventing the blondies from being overly flat, while maintaining their dense characteristic. This creates a tender crumb.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the richer flavors of the brown sugar and chocolate. Don’t skip it, as it’s vital for a well-rounded taste.
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips: The star mix-in! Semisweet chocolate chips melt beautifully, providing pockets of gooey chocolate throughout. Feel free to use your favorite chocolate or other flavored chips, as discussed earlier, for a customized experience.

Helpful Kitchen Tools for Baking Success

Having the right tools can make your baking experience smoother and more enjoyable, especially when making something as delightful as chocolate chip blondies. For this recipe, here are a few essentials that will ensure you achieve perfect results:

• 13×9 baking dish: This is the ideal size for baking a batch of these delicious bars, ensuring even cooking and a good thickness.
• Mixing bowls: You’ll need at least two – one for wet ingredients and one for dry, before combining them. Having separate bowls helps in ensuring ingredients are properly mixed before integration.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements. Baking is a science, and precision helps guarantee success.
• Cooling rack: Important for allowing the blondies to cool evenly and prevent them from becoming soggy on the bottom. Air circulation is key for texture.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chocolate Chip Blondies

Making these chewy blondies is wonderfully straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:

1. Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the packed brown sugar, melted butter, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together just until they are well blended and smooth. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; you’re just looking for a cohesive mixture. This combination forms the rich, moist base of your blondies.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Ensure these dry ingredients are thoroughly combined to guarantee even distribution in your final batter. This prevents pockets of unmixed leavening agents or salt in the baked blondies.
3. Mix Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredient mixture. Stir gently using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Overmixing the flour can lead to tough blondies, so stop stirring as soon as no streaks of dry flour remain. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
4. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Once the batter is just mixed, gently fold in your chosen chocolate chips (or other desired mix-ins). Distribute them evenly throughout the batter to ensure every bite has a piece of delicious chocolate.
5. Prepare for Baking: Spread the prepared blondie batter evenly into a greased 13-inch x 9-inch baking pan. Use a spatula to ensure the top is relatively smooth for even baking.
6. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 18-20 minutes. The key to a perfect chewy blondie is not to overbake! They should be lightly golden around the edges, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter.
7. Cool and Cut: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the blondies cool completely on a wire rack. This is crucial for them to set properly and achieve their signature chewy texture. Cutting them while warm can result in them falling apart. Once fully cooled, cut them into neat squares or bars.

Pro Tips for Baking the Best Blondies

For an absolutely perfect batch of chocolate chip blondies every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Don’t Overbake: This is arguably the most important tip for chewy blondies. Overbaking will result in a dry, cake-like texture, sacrificing that irresistible chewiness. When in doubt, err on the side of underbaking slightly. The edges should be set and lightly golden, and the center still slightly soft when you remove them from the oven, as they will continue to cook slightly as they cool.
• Use Packed Brown Sugar: The brown sugar not only adds a rich, caramel flavor but also contributes significantly to the blondies’ signature chewiness and moist texture. Always make sure to pack it tightly into your measuring cup to get the correct amount.
• Melted Butter is Key: Using melted butter, rather than softened, helps create a denser, chewier texture similar to a fudgy brownie. It also ensures all ingredients are well incorporated without overmixing.
• Room Temperature Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the batter, creating a smoother, more uniform mixture. If you forget to take them out, place them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes before using.
• Avoid Overmixing: Once you add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense blondie instead of a tender, chewy one. Gently folding is all that’s needed.
• Proper Cooling: Let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to cut them. Cutting them warm can make them fall apart or result in a crumbly texture. Patience is a virtue here, as cooling allows the flavors to meld and the structure to set.

Blondie Variations to Spark Your Creativity

While classic chocolate chip blondies are fantastic, don’t be afraid to get creative with your mix-ins and flavor combinations:

• Nutty Additions: As mentioned, walnuts and pecans are excellent, but you could also try chopped almonds, cashews, or even macadamia nuts for a different flavor profile. Toasting the nuts lightly before adding them can enhance their flavor.
• Different Chocolate Chips: Experiment with dark chocolate chunks for a more intense cocoa hit, milk chocolate morsels for a sweeter, milder taste, white chocolate chips for a delicate, vanilla-infused contrast, or even a blend of several types. Peanut butter chips, as I discovered, are also a fantastic choice!
• Fruity Fun: Dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or even a swirl of raspberry jam can add a delightful tartness to balance the sweetness. Just be sure to use dried fruits sparingly so they don’t make the blondies too wet.
• Sweet & Salty: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking enhances all the flavors by providing a delicious contrast. You could also add crushed pretzel bits for an unexpected crunch and salty kick.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of pumpkin pie spice can add warmth and complexity, especially during the fall months. These warm spices pair wonderfully with brown sugar.
• Caramel Swirl: Drizzle some melted caramel or dulce de leche over the batter before baking for an extra indulgent treat. You can use a toothpick to swirl it gently for a marbled effect.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

These chocolate chip blondies are perfect any time, but here are some tips to enjoy them to the fullest and keep them fresh:

• Serving: Enjoy them at room temperature as a simple snack or dessert. For an extra special treat, warm a blondie slightly in the microwave and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. They also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, a cold glass of milk, or a mug of hot chocolate.
• Storage: Store cooled blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. To keep them extra fresh and moist, you can place a slice of plain bread (like white bread) in the container with the blondies; they will absorb moisture from the bread, helping them stay soft and chewy.
• Freezing: Blondies freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, wrap individual bars or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight before serving.

More Irresistible Cookie and Bar Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with these easy chocolate chip blondies, you’re sure to enjoy these other delightful cookie and bar recipes. They are perfect for satisfying any sweet craving and bringing joy to your kitchen:

• Mississippi Mud Cookies: A rich and fudgy cookie that will transport you to the deep flavors of the South.
• Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars: All the joy of classic sugar cookies, but in an easy-to-make bar form perfect for sharing.
• Nutella Peanut Butter Cookies: A decadent combination of two beloved flavors, offering a rich and satisfying treat.
• Buckeye Brownie Cookies: The classic peanut butter and chocolate candy reimagined as a chewy, irresistible cookie.
• Grandma’s All-Occasion Sugar Cookies: A timeless recipe for perfectly soft and sweet cookies that are truly perfect for any celebration.
• Pumpkin Blondies from Spend with Pennies: A delightful seasonal twist on the classic blondie, perfect for autumn.
• Pecan Pie Blondies from Shugary Sweets: Enjoy the comforting flavors of pecan pie in a convenient, easy-to-eat bar.
• Lemon Blondies from Crazy for Crust: A bright and zesty option for citrus lovers, offering a refreshing twist on the traditional blondie.

The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.

This post was originally published on this blog on Oct 3, 2008, and has been updated to provide more detailed information and tips.