There’s something dangerously addictive about salted caramel blondies, especially when you load them up with chocolate chips and rich, nutty brown butter. They’ve got that perfect chewy texture, the sweet-salty combo we all crave, and just enough crisp on the edges to make you go back for “one more” until they mysteriously disappear. If you’re looking for an easy blondie recipe that’ll win over everyone, this one’s about to go on repeat.
It’s possible that you’ve accidentally browned butter many times in your life and savoured its sweet, nutty flavour — but this time you’re going to do it on purpose. Butter is expensive, so let’s save you some dough: keep an eye on the pan, and the second the browning magic happens, pour it into a heatproof bowl. Do NOT leave it in the pan or it’ll keep cooking and cross over from brown butter to burnt butter. (Learned that the hard way.)
The rest of this dessert bar recipe is straightforward, but when those flavours — salted caramel, chocolate, flaky salt, and browned butter — come together, they hit in a way that’s hard to explain and even harder to resist. These brown butter blondies are rich, gooey, and somehow taste like more effort than they actually require. Make them for a party. Or don’t. I’m not here to tell you what to do.
Quick warning: there’s one major pitfall with this recipe, and that’s the Kraft Caramels. If you live with snack thieves (kids, spouses, roommates), hide them. I’ve had to repurchase the bag three times before finally getting this batch in the oven. Not the worst problem to have — honestly, in today’s world, a sugar-fuelled baking win might be the exact serotonin boost you need. Buy two bags. Thank me later.
Brown Butter Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 bag Kraft Caramels, wrappers removed
- 4 tbsps heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 tbsp coarse sea salt or kosher salt
Instructions
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Melt unsalted butter in a heavy medium stainless steel saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally with a spatula and watch closely that it doesn't burn, for about five minutes until butter foams and turn golden brown. Immediately remove from heat and pour into a heat resistant bowl. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
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Heat oven to 375F. Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil going up the sides so that blondies may be easily lifted out. Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray.
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Remove butter from refrigerator and if not already in a large mixing bowl, pour butter into a large bowl. Add flour, baking powder, and salt and stir until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
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Spread two thirds of the blondie mix into prepared pan.
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Place caramels in a microwave safe bowl and pour whipping cream over top. Microwave on high for in 30 second increments, stirring between each turn, until smooth and melted. Pour over blondie mixture in pan, leaving a 1/2 inch around the sides to keep from sticking. Sprinkle half of your coarse salt over the top.
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Drop remaining dough over top of caramel and spread slightly.
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Bake in oven 20 minute or until toothpick inserted into centre of pan comes out clean and edges are pulling away from side of pan slightly.
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Cool on rack, then lift blondies from pan using foil. Cut into squares and serve alone or rewarm Browned Butter Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies slightly in microwave and serve with ice cream.
I suspect these salted caramel blondies freeze well, but truthfully, I’ve never had a batch last long enough to test that theory. Like most blondies, they should freeze beautifully if you individually wrap them and stash them in the freezer. Perfect for school lunches, after-school snacks, or your own emergency dessert stash.
I know life isn’t always smooth sailing, which is why I firmly believe in the power of a good easy blondie recipe, after eating your veggies of course. If you need to eat half the pan straight from the tray, I fully support your choices. Grab a cold glass of milk, toss on something feel-good (Steel Magnolias still hits), and let these chewy caramel bars do the emotional heavy lifting. No judgment, just sugar therapy.
Freshened up on April 16, 2025
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