There's a special kind of magic in recipes passed down through generations. These Grandma's Chewy Butterscotch Blondies are exactly that – a beloved classic that promises to bring warmth and joy to your kitchen. With their irresistible chewy texture, slightly crisp edges, and a deep, comforting butterscotch flavor, they’re truly a timeless treat that evokes the best kind of nostalgia.
The Irresistible Charm of Butterscotch Blondies
Forget complicated desserts; sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most satisfying. These blondies embody comfort in every bite. They’re perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up, a cozy family dessert, or to share at any gathering. The rich, caramelized notes from brown sugar combined with sweet butterscotch chips create a flavor profile that’s both familiar and utterly delightful.
Blondies offer a wonderful alternative to their chocolatey counterparts, brownies. While brownies focus on cocoa, blondies shine with the golden richness of butter and brown sugar. If you're a fan of chewy baked goods, you might also enjoy making Easy Brownie Mix Cookies for another simple, delightful treat.
Achieving That Perfect Chewy Texture
The secret to a truly great blondie lies in its texture – that perfect balance between a fudgy center and slightly crisp edges. Here are a few key tips to ensure your Grandma's Chewy Butterscotch Blondies turn out perfectly every time:
- Brown Sugar is Key: Unlike white sugar, brown sugar contains molasses, which adds moisture and contributes significantly to the chewy, dense texture we love in blondies.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to a tougher, more cake-like blondie. Mix the batter just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
- Bake Just Right: Blondies are best when slightly underbaked. Look for edges that are set and golden, but a center that still looks a little soft. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter, but definitely not completely clean. This ensures a gooey, fudgy interior. For more on the delicious world of these bar cookies, check out this Wikipedia article on Blondies.
Essential Tips for Baking Success
Even for simple recipes, a few pro tips can make all the difference:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your egg is at room temperature. This helps it emulsify better with the butter and sugar, creating a smoother, more uniform batter.
- Parchment Paper: Always line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. This makes it incredibly easy to lift the cooled blondies out for slicing.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to cut into warm blondies. They continue to set as they cool, and cutting them too soon can result in a crumbly mess. Patience truly pays off here!
If you enjoy classic, comforting desserts, you might also love our Heavenly Honeycrisp Apple Cake: Your Ultimate Fall Dessert.
Serving Suggestions
These butterscotch blondies are delightful on their own, but a few additions can elevate them even further:
- Warm with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting over a warm blondie is pure indulgence.
- Drizzled Caramel: A light drizzle of store-bought or homemade caramel sauce adds an extra layer of sweetness and decadence.
- Coffee or Tea: Pair them with your favorite hot beverage for a perfect afternoon treat.
- Milk: A classic combination that never disappoints, especially for the kids (and kids at heart!).
Baking Grandma's Chewy Butterscotch Blondies is more than just making a dessert; it's about creating memories and sharing a piece of comforting tradition. Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to fill your home with the most wonderful aroma. Enjoy every single chewy, buttery bite!
FAQs
What makes these blondies so wonderfully chewy?
The secret to the perfect chewiness in these butterscotch blondies lies primarily in the use of brown sugar, which adds moisture and a rich, caramelized flavor. Additionally, careful bakingu2014ensuring they are slightly underbaked in the centeru2014is crucial to achieving that desirable gooey texture.
Can I add other mix-ins to the butterscotch blondies?
Absolutely! While butterscotch chips are traditional, feel free to get creative. White chocolate chips, chopped pecans or walnuts, or even a handful of shredded coconut would make delicious additions. Maintain the total volume of mix-ins to about 1 cup to ensure the blondies bake correctly.
How should I store leftover butterscotch blondies?
To keep your blondies fresh and maintain their delightful chewiness, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay delicious for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2-3 months; just allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.
What's the best way to ensure my blondies don't stick to the pan?
Lining your baking pan with parchment paper is highly recommended. Extend the parchment paper beyond the edges of the pan to create 'slings,' making it incredibly easy to lift the entire slab of cooled blondies out for clean and even slicing. Lightly greasing the pan before adding parchment also helps.
Grandma's Chewy Butterscotch Blondies
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A timeless and easy recipe for incredibly chewy butterscotch blondies with crispy edges and a gooey, flavorful center.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (170g) butterscotch chips
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until well combined and smooth.
Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Whisk until the mixture is lightened in color and smooth, about 1 minute.
Step 4: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing with a spatula or spoon just until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Fold in the butterscotch chips until evenly distributed.
Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and set, but the center still looks slightly soft. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Step 9: Remove the blondies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out by the parchment paper and slicing into 16 squares.
Notes
For an extra touch, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the warm blondies right after they come out of the oven. This enhances the caramelized butterscotch flavor beautifully. These blondies are excellent served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Leave a Reply