Fall in love with the blondie, the brownie’s long-lost cousin

Hinterland Homestead with Racheal Pascoe

You know I am all for healthy food but I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity share this recipe! It’s a little bit naughty, but ever so delicious. 

Now, you have all heard of Brownies I am sure. The chewy, crispy, chocolatey sensation that is loved by all. Well did you know it has a cousin? Get ready! The Blondie!  

The Blondie is the vanilla version of the Brownie and it is just as terrific. 

It has a signature caramel, butterscotch flavour and fudgy, chewy texture. Below is the recipe for the basic Blondie. 

Once you have fallen in love with the base recipe, go straight to the Maple Pecan version… you won’t look back. 

Enjoy them warm from the oven with a cuppa. Or take them along to share with others. 

They store well in the fridge and can be frozen if you need to make them ahead of time for an event. Make sure you take them away from the house and share them. It is very dangerous to leave the container of Blondies on the kitchen bench! 

Interesting fact 

The Blondie is the original recipe and predates the Brownie recipe by about a decade. The Blondie first appeared in a recipe book in Boston USA in 1896. Soon after chocolate production saw the Blondie evolve into the chocolate sensation we all love. 

Classic Blondie Ingredients 

• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (brown for extra flavour) 

• 1 cup dark brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 ½ vanilla extract 

• ½ tsp almond extract (optional) 

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 1 cup SR flour 

Method

• Preheat oven to 175 degrees celsius (350F)

• Line an 8x8 inch pan 

• Mix melted butter and brown sugar until glossy 

• Add egg, vanilla, almond extract

• Stir in salt, then flour. Do not overmix. 

• Spread into pan. 

• Bake for 20-25 mins, until the centre is just set. 

• Cool fully for clean slicing. 

Maple Pecan Blondies 

Add 3 tbsp maple syrup, ½ cup toasted pecans, ½ tspn cinnamon (optional)

Adjust by reducing the brown sugar to ¾ cup. Add 2-3 mins extra cooking time.

There are lots of variations to the base recipe. You can also enjoy Caramel Latte Blondies, Coffee Blondies and even Tiramisu Blondies! 

 Naughty dessert 

Warm a slice in the microwave and serve with vanilla ice-cream. You will thank me later! This is a perfect winter comfort food. Oh heck, enjoy it all year around! Who am I kidding! Ha. 

 Thank you to Steven our Canadian family friend who shared this American recipe, so we can all enjoy it here in Australia! What have you started! 

 Happy homesteading everyone!