Description
Mary Berry’s Blondies are dense, chewy bars made with brown sugar, butter, and vanilla, creating a rich and buttery flavor profile. Unlike traditional chocolate brownies, blondies forego the cocoa powder, resulting in a lighter color and a distinct taste that highlights the caramel-like sweetness of brown sugar. Often studded with chocolate chips, nuts, or other mix-ins, these blondies are versatile and can be customized to suit your preferences.
Ingredients
For the Blondies:
- Brown sugar: 200g (7 oz), packed, for sweetness and moisture.
- Butter: 115g (4 oz), melted, for richness.
- Eggs: 2 large, to bind the ingredients.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon, for flavor.
- Plain flour: 225g (8 oz), sifted, for structure.
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon, to help the blondies rise.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon, to enhance the flavors.
- Chocolate chips: 150g (5 oz), semi-sweet or milk chocolate, for added indulgence.
Optional Add-ins:
- Chopped nuts: 100g (3.5 oz), such as walnuts or pecans, for crunch.
- Dried fruits: 100g (3.5 oz), like cranberries or raisins, for a fruity twist.
- Toffee bits: 100g (3.5 oz), for extra sweetness and texture.
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/350°F/gas mark 4. Line a 23cm x 33cm (9in x 13in) baking tray with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. Prepare the Blondie Batter
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the melted butter and brown sugar until well combined and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the plain flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and any optional add-ins like nuts or dried fruits until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
3. Bake the Blondies
- Pour batter into Tray: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking tray, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Remove the tray from the oven and allow the blondies to cool completely in the tray on a cooling rack before slicing.
4. Serve the Blondies
- Slice and Serve: Once cooled, lift the blondies out of the tray using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife.
- Optional Garnish: Dust with a light sprinkle of icing sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra touch of sweetness.