If you’re looking for a dessert that’s easy to make but feels a little fancy, these Brown Butter Blondies with Cream Cheese Frosting are just what you need. They’re soft, chewy, and full of that rich caramel flavor that only browned butter can bring. Add a layer of creamy frosting and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar, sprinkles, or whatever you’re feeling, and you’ve got a treat that’s sure to impress.
This recipe is simple enough for a quick baking session but still feels special enough for any occasion. Need something sweet to bring to a party? Done. Want a fun dessert to share with the family? These are perfect. Or maybe you just want to treat yourself because, let’s face it, you deserve it.
The best part is how customizable they are. You can keep the toppings simple, make them festive, or let the kids take over with their own creative flair. However you dress them up, these blondies are guaranteed to be a hit.
If you’re in the mood for more baking, check out my: Orange Sugar Cookies, Blueberry Lemon Squares or Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes.
Jump to:
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients, minimal prep, and straightforward steps that don’t require any special techniques.
- These chewy brown butter blondies with cream cheese frosting are packed with flavor thanks to the nutty flavor of browned butter, the caramel sweetness of brown sugar and the tangy creaminess of the frosting.
- They are perfectly chewy, with a soft center and slightly crisp edges that give each bite the ideal texture.
- Easily customizable with your choice of toppings, from sprinkles and turbinado sugar to cinnamon or even a drizzle of caramel, making them easy to tailor to any occasion.
Ingredients Needed
Here are notes about some of the ingredients needed to make these blondie brownies. For the full recipe and measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Cooking spray
- Butter: Use salted butter.
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Brown sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar for these.
- Vanilla
- Eggs
- Powdered sugar
- Heavy whipping cream
- Cream cheese: Use full fat room temperature cream cheese for a smooth and lump free frosting.
- Vanilla extract
- Turbinado sugar or sprinkles
Ingredient Substitutions
- Vanilla extract: Try almond extract or maple extract. These will provide a slightly different flavor profile but will complement the brown butter nicely.
These chewy brown butter blondies have not been tested with this substitution. If you give any of this a try, please let me know how it worked out in the comments below!
Recipe Variations
- Stir in 1 cup of semi-sweet, milk or white chocolate chips into the batter for a classic chocolate chip blondie version.
- Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for a nutty crunch. Toasting the nuts before adding them will enhance their flavor even more.
- Drizzle a bit of homemade or store bought salted caramel sauce on top of the cream cheese frosting before serving.
- Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the batter for a cozy spiced flavor. You could also try a pumpkin spice blend for a seasonal twist.
- Incorporate dried fruit like cranberries, raisins or cherries for a fruity variation.
Equipment Needed
- 9-inch Square Baking Pan: I prefer to use a glass baking dish over a metal one for these blondies.
- Medium Saucepan: Use a saucepan with a light colored bottom to brown the butter.
- Stand Mixer: To easily combine the ingredients for the frosting, use a stand mixer. A hand mixer works fine, but a stand mixer makes it quicker.
- Parchment paper: Use parchment paper if you want to line the cake pan for easier removal after baking.
Step by Step Instructions
1. Brown the Butter
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9-inch square baking pan by spraying it with cooking spray and lining bottom of the pan a parchment paper sling.
In a medium saucepan, brown the butter over medium-high heat until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma, swirling the pan occasionally. Remove from heat and let it cool for 15 minutes.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, mix the cooled butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Whisk until smooth and shiny, about 1 minute.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula until just combined.
5. Bake
Pour the blondie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges start to pull away from the pan.
Remove from the oven and let the blondies cool completely before frosting.
6. Make the Frosting
In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the powdered sugar, heavy cream, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract on high speed until smooth.
7. Frost the Blondies
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled blondies, using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Add decorative swirls with the spoon and sprinkle with your choice of turbinado sugar, sprinkles or other toppings.
Slice and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Here are some tips and tricks for making these buttery blondies:
- Keep an eye on the butter as it browns. It can go from golden to burnt quickly. Swirl the pan occasionally and remove it from the heat as soon as it turns golden and smells nutty. Let it cool fully to avoid scrambling the eggs when mixed.
- When folding the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stop as soon as the flour is incorporated. Overmixing can result in tougher blondies.
- Check the blondies a minute or two before the suggested bake time. The edges should pull slightly away from the pan, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Make sure the blondies are completely cool before adding the frosting. A warm base can cause the frosting to melt and become messy.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the frosting. If you forget to set it out, microwave it in short 5-10 second bursts until softened.
FAQ
Yes, you can prepare the blondies up to 2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature without the frosting. Add the frosting and toppings just before serving for the best texture.
The butter is browned when it turns a golden brown color and emits a nutty aroma. Be sure to stir frequently and remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches this stage to prevent burning.
Yes, the blondies are delicious on their own. Alternatively, you could drizzle them with melted chocolate, caramel, or a simple glaze.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftover brown butter blondies with cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezer
Freeze blondies tightly wrapped for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Recipes To Try
Don't forget to leave a ⭐️star rating⭐️ below!
This helps both me and other readers!
Follow along on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook and subscribe to my newsletter so you never miss what we are up to!
Recipe
Brown Butter Blondies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the Blondies:
- Cooking spray
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
For the frosting:
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Turbinado sugar or sprinkles for the top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch metal square baking cake pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper sling.Cooking spray
- In a medium saucepan, brown the butter over medium-high heat until golden brown. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes.½ cup butter
- While the butter cools, combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Stir with a whisk to combine.1 cup flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- In a separate medium sized bowl, combine the cooled butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Stir with a whisk until smooth and shiny, about 1 minute.¾ cup packed brown sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 eggs
- Fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture just until combined.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and it’s starting to pull away from the edges. Remove from the oven and allow the blondies to cool completely.
- For the frosting:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the powdered sugar, whipping cream, cream cheese, and vanilla. Beat on high speed just until smooth.1 ¼ cup powdered sugar, sifted, 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, 4 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spoon frosting onto the cooled blondies and spread in an even layer. Use a spoon to make decorative swirls. Sprinkle with whatever you choose…sprinkles, cinnamon, turbinado sugar, etc.Turbinado sugar or sprinkles for the top
Nutrition Information
Please note that these nutrition facts are approximations and may not be entirely precise.
Ashlyn Meredith says
A favorite for any occasion at our house!