Luscious Honey Blondies

The Best Easy Honey Blondies Recipe: Chewy, Sweet & Irresistible!

Welcome, fellow baking enthusiasts! If you’re searching for a delightful dessert that’s both easy to make and utterly satisfying, you’ve landed in the right place. Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of honey blondies – a fantastic variation of the classic chocolate brownie. These golden, chewy squares are bursting with the rich, comforting sweetness of honey, perfectly complemented by chunks of dark chocolate and crunchy walnuts. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become a cherished favorite in your kitchen.

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of hosting some dear friends, and I knew exactly what treat to whip up for the occasion. I decided to bake a batch of these incredibly tasty honey blondies, and the results were simply spectacular! The beauty of blondies lies in their simplicity and versatility. While they are often described as the “white version” of chocolate brownies, offering a smooth, buttery texture, they don’t necessarily require chocolate. However, for an added layer of indulgence, I couldn’t resist. I generously folded in delicious pieces of dark chocolate and finely chopped walnuts into the basic recipe. This combination truly elevates the flavor profile, creating a perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and slightly bitter notes.

The blondies were an absolute hit! They disappeared so quickly that it was a good thing I managed to snap this photo before the evening officially began, because not a single crumb was left afterwards. This recipe is designed to be straightforward and accessible, even for novice bakers. With clear instructions and simple ingredients, you’ll be able to create a batch of these irresistible treats in no time. Let’s get baking!

A plate with honey blondies and a pink white cup. In the background a white vase with flowers, creating a cozy and inviting scene.
Freshly baked Honey Blondies, ready to be enjoyed with a cup of tea.

What Exactly Are Blondies? A Delightful Brownie Cousin

If you’re new to the world of blondies, think of them as the lighter, vanilla-flavored cousin of the brownie. While brownies are typically rich with cocoa and dark chocolate, blondies get their signature golden hue from brown sugar, butter, and often vanilla extract. They offer a chewy, dense texture, much like a good brownie, but with a distinct caramel-like flavor that makes them unique. Unlike brownies, which are almost exclusively chocolate-based, blondies are incredibly versatile, allowing for a wide range of mix-ins like nuts, white chocolate chips, dried fruits, or, as in our case, the luscious sweetness of honey.

Our honey blondie recipe takes this classic treat to the next level. By incorporating honey, we introduce a natural, floral sweetness and a wonderfully moist texture that’s hard to beat. The addition of dark chocolate and walnuts provides a delightful contrast, adding depth and a satisfying crunch that will leave you reaching for another piece. It’s a dessert that perfectly embodies comfort and indulgence, making it ideal for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as a personal treat.

Why Honey Blondies Are a Must-Try Dessert

There are countless reasons why these honey blondies deserve a spot in your baking repertoire. First and foremost is the incredible flavor. Honey brings a unique, complex sweetness that refined sugar simply can’t replicate. It adds a subtle floral note and helps create that perfectly moist and chewy texture that defines a great blondie.

  • Unique Flavor Profile: The blend of honey, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and walnuts creates a symphony of flavors that is both familiar and exciting. It’s a step beyond your everyday brownie.
  • Wonderful Texture: These blondies are perfectly chewy with slightly crisp edges, a hallmark of a well-baked bar cookie. The walnuts add a delightful textural contrast.
  • Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet taste, this recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring minimal fuss and basic pantry ingredients. It’s a perfect project for bakers of all skill levels.
  • Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual get-together, a holiday potluck, or just a quiet evening at home, honey blondies are always a welcome treat. They travel well and are easy to portion.
  • A Delightful Twist: For those who love brownies but crave something different, blondies offer that satisfying, dense bar cookie experience without the intense chocolate. Our recipe, however, gives you the best of both worlds!

Tips for Baking the Best Honey Blondies

Achieving blondie perfection is easy with a few simple tips. While the recipe is straightforward, paying attention to these details can elevate your baking from good to absolutely outstanding:

1. Quality Ingredients Make a Difference

Always start with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Good unsalted butter, fresh eggs, and a flavorful honey will significantly impact the final taste. For the chocolate, choose a dark chocolate that you enjoy eating on its own – a good quality chocolate will melt beautifully and contribute rich flavor. Similarly, fresh walnuts provide the best crunch and nutty aroma.

2. Don’t Overmix the Batter

Once you add the flour, mix the batter only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense blondies instead of the desired chewy texture. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine; they’ll disappear during baking.

3. The Importance of Proper Cooling

This is perhaps the most crucial tip for perfect blondies. As highlighted in the recipe notes, blondies need to cool completely in the baking pan before being cut. Warm blondies will be soft and crumble easily. Allowing them to cool and set firm in the pan ensures they achieve that ideal chewy texture and hold their shape beautifully when sliced. Patience is a virtue here!

4. Don’t Overbake!

Blondies, like brownies, can go from perfectly chewy to dry and crumbly in a matter of minutes if overbaked. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking. The edges should be set and lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Remember, they will continue to set as they cool.

Serving Suggestions for Your Honey Blondies

These honey blondies are absolutely delicious on their own, but if you’re looking to elevate the experience, consider these serving suggestions:

  • Warm with Ice Cream: A slightly warmed blondie served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is pure bliss. The contrast of warm and cold, and the melting ice cream, is heavenly.
  • A Dollop of Whipped Cream: A swirl of freshly whipped cream can add a touch of elegance and lightness to this rich dessert.
  • Dust with Powdered Sugar: For a simple yet beautiful presentation, dust the cooled blondies with a light layer of powdered sugar.
  • Alongside Coffee or Tea: As seen in our photo, a good cup of coffee or tea makes a perfect companion for these sweet treats.
  • With Fresh Berries: A side of fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries can add a refreshing tartness that cuts through the sweetness of the blondies.

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📖 Recipe

RECIPE CARD

A square photo of a white pastry plate with a few pieces of blondie with honey and chocolate. A pink and white teacup on the plate. In the background a vase with flowers.
Honey Blondies

Andrea Janssen's profile pictureAndréa

A delicious recipe for honey blondies. Blondies are a variation of  chocolate brownies. These are filled with walnuts and dark chocolate, and quite easy to prepare for a delightful treat.

5 of 16 votes
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Course Sweets and Sweet Baking
Cuisine American

Servings 12 blondies
Calories 298 kcal
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Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter, unsalted
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 egg, size L, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2⅔ oz. dark chocolate, chopped finely
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped finely

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 °F or 320 °F (if using a convection oven).
  • Grease a baking tin with butter. Line it with parchment paper, ensuring it overhangs on both sides. This “sling” will allow you to easily lift the cooled blondie out of the pan later.
  • In a medium saucepan, gently heat the unsalted butter and honey over low heat until the butter has completely melted. Stir occasionally to combine.
    1 stick butter, ½ cup honey
  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the light brown sugar. Stir well with a whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
    ¾ cup light brown sugar
    In a saucepan, butter, honey, and brown sugar are melted and mixed together.
  • Allow the mixture to cool for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial to prevent the egg from scrambling. Once cooled slightly, stir in the beaten egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
    1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
    1½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt
    Flour being added to the blondie batter.
  • Using a spatula, gently fold in the finely chopped dark chocolate and walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Pour the batter into your prepared baking tin (approx. 12 x 12 inch or 24 x 24 cm) and spread evenly.
    2⅔ oz. dark chocolate, ½ cup walnuts
    Blondie batter with walnuts and chocolate in a large bowl, ready to be poured into the baking tin.
  • Place the baking tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes. The blondies are done when the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached.
  • Allow the blondie to cool completely in the baking tin on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to carefully lift the blondie out of the tin. Remove the parchment paper.
    A baking pan with a freshly baked honey blondie cooling down.
  • Just before serving, cut the cooled blondie into uniform squares. Enjoy your homemade honey blondies!

Notes

1. Cooling is Key: Very important to cool in the mold! If the blondie is not fully cooled, it will still be soft and not solid, making it difficult to cut and handle. Therefore, only release the blondie from the pan and cut it into squares once it has completely cooled down. This ensures that signature chewy texture.

2. Nut Substitutions: You can easily replace walnuts with other chopped nuts like pecans, roasted hazelnuts, or even almonds for a different flavor. If you’re not a fan of nuts or have allergies, feel free to leave them out entirely.

3. Chocolate Variations: While this recipe is crafted with dark chocolate for a rich contrast, feel free to experiment! You can use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or a mix of different chocolate chips to customize the flavor to your preference. Would you rather not have chocolate? Then omit it for a purer honey and brown sugar blondie.

4. Storage: Proper storage helps keep your blondies fresh and delicious.

  • Room temperature: Store the blondies in an airtight container (or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap) at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: For longer storage, blondies freeze wonderfully! Wrap individual blondie squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 269mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 259IUVitamin C: 0.1mgIron: 2mg

Keyword blondies, honey, dessert, baking, easy recipe, brownies variation

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Final Thoughts on These Irresistible Honey Blondies

There you have it – a complete guide to baking the most irresistible honey blondies you’ll ever taste! From their humble beginnings as a brownie variation to a standalone star, these chewy, sweet, and nutty bars are a testament to the magic that happens when simple ingredients come together. The hint of honey adds a sophisticated sweetness that truly sets them apart, making each bite a moment to savor.

Baking should be a joyful and rewarding experience, and this honey blondies recipe embodies just that. It’s a fantastic choice for experienced bakers looking for a new twist, or for beginners seeking a guaranteed success in the kitchen. Don’t be shy about experimenting with the mix-ins or serving suggestions – make these blondies truly your own!

I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these honey blondies as much as I do. Remember, good food is meant to be shared, and there’s no better way to show you care than with a homemade treat. Happy baking!