There is something truly magical about the Browned Butter Blondies with Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels Recipe. This delightful treat combines the deep, nutty flavor of browned butter with the rich sweetness of butterscotch caramels, all enhanced by a pinch of sea salt that makes each bite irresistible. Perfectly chewy and decadently buttery, these blondies bring a warm, comforting sweetness balanced with just the right touch of saltiness, creating a flavor experience that will have you reaching for seconds before you know it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Browned Butter Blondies with Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels Recipe, the ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential to achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Each item plays a special role, whether it’s adding depth, sweetness, or a subtle crunch to these blondies.
- Salted butter: Browning the butter brings out nutty, caramel notes that elevate the entire blondie experience.
- Dark brown sugar: Packed tightly, it contributes moisture and a rich, molasses-like sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, fragrant backdrop that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients together, helping to create that chewy, tender texture.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a soft crumb, spooned and leveled to avoid dense blondies.
- Baking soda: Gives a gentle rise for a slightly airy bite without compromising chewiness.
- Salt: Enhances and balances all the sweetness, working its magic subtly but powerfully.
- Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels: The star ingredient that surprises your taste buds with gooey caramel, creamy chocolate, and a crispy touch of sea salt.
How to Make Browned Butter Blondies with Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, melt your salted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. The key here is patience—keep swirling or stirring until the foam turns a gorgeous golden brown and a nutty aroma fills your kitchen. This step is what gives these blondies that rich depth you’ll rave about. Once browned, remove the butter from heat and pour it immediately into a mixing bowl, so it doesn’t continue to cook or burn.
Step 2: Mix in Sugar, Vanilla, and Egg
With a wooden spoon or your mixer, blend the brown sugar into the warm browned butter. This will create a thick, glossy base. Follow with the vanilla extract for its warm, sweet aroma, and then the egg, mixing thoroughly to form a silky batter that’s just begging for the next step.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Rather than mixing everything at once, spoon your flour into the bowl but hold off on stirring just yet. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt evenly over the flour, then use a small spoon to combine these dry ingredients before gently stirring them into your wet mixture. This technique helps prevent overmixing and encourages a tender crumb.
Step 4: Add the Butterscotch Caramels
Gently fold in the chocolate-covered sea salt butterscotch caramels, stirring just until the batter looks mostly combined and no dry flour streaks remain. These caramels don’t just add sweetness and gooeyness—they bring surprise pockets of flavor that melt into every bite.
Step 5: Prepare and Bake the Blondies
Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, then spray lightly with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal. Spread your batter evenly across the pan so it bakes uniformly. Pop it into the oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes until the top turns a light golden color and feels set. Let the blondies cool in the pan for at least 10 to 20 minutes before lifting them out. While they’re delightful once cooled, these blondies truly become irresistible when enjoyed warm—try microwaving a piece for 10 seconds to recreate that fresh-from-the-oven sensation.
How to Serve Browned Butter Blondies with Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels Recipe
Garnishes
These blondies are incredible enough on their own, but adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a dusting of powdered sugar can give them an extra touch of elegance and flavor contrast. If you want to go all out, a drizzle of caramel sauce or some chopped toasted nuts on top before baking adds beautiful texture and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
Serve these blondies alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience. Fresh berries or a tangy raspberry coulis can also complement the sweet butterscotch notes beautifully, balancing richness with a bit of brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the blondies into bite-sized squares for a party platter or layering them in a trifle dish with whipped cream and chopped nuts for a stunning dessert centerpiece. You could even sandwich two pieces together with a smear of chocolate ganache or peanut butter for an irresistible treat that’s both fun and decadent.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store your blondies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days, making it easy to enjoy a sweet snack whenever the craving hits without losing an ounce of their deliciousness.
Freezing
If you want to keep these blondies longer, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen blondies maintain their flavor and texture well for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge for a convenient and delightful treat anytime.
Reheating
To bring back that warm, melty magic, pop your blondie pieces in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This quick reheat revives the gooey texture of the butterscotch caramels and the nutty richness of the browned butter, making it feel like you just pulled them from the oven all over again.
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Absolutely! If you use unsalted butter, just add a pinch more salt to the batter to make sure the flavors are balanced—the sea salt in the caramels will still provide that wonderful salty contrast.
What if I can’t find chocolate-covered sea salt butterscotch caramels?
No worries. You can substitute with regular butterscotch chips or caramel bits and sprinkle a small amount of flaky sea salt on top before baking to mimic the original flavor profile.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still shine through beautifully.
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?
Look for a golden top that appears set and edges pulling slightly away from the pan. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs attached, avoiding underbaking for the perfect chewy texture.
Can these blondies be made dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version, swap the butter with a high-quality vegan butter or coconut oil. Keep in mind the flavor will vary slightly since browned butter has a unique nutty taste, but it will still be delicious!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that feels like a warm, cozy hug with every bite, the Browned Butter Blondies with Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels Recipe is where your search ends. The blend of nutty browned butter, sweet yet salty caramels, and a tender, chewy texture makes these blondies a fast favorite you’ll want to bake again and again. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked too!
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Browned Butter Blondies with Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 9 blondies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Browned Butter Blondies with Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels offer a rich, nutty flavor combined with sweet, gooey caramel bits and a hint of sea salt to balance the sweetness. Perfectly baked to a golden finish, these blondies are delicious both warm and cooled, delivering a chewy and satisfying treat.
Ingredients
Batter Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 7-oz package Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels
Instructions
- Preheat and brown the butter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep the butter on the heat, stirring or swirling occasionally, until the foam turns golden and the butter smells nutty, indicating it is browned.
- Transfer the browned butter: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately pour the browned butter into a mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl to prevent further cooking or burning.
- Add sugar, vanilla, and egg: Using a wooden spoon or mixer, stir in the dark brown sugar until combined, then add the vanilla extract, followed by the large egg, mixing well after each addition.
- Prepare dry ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture but do not mix yet. Spoon the baking soda and salt onto the flour, then lightly stir these dry ingredients together to ensure even distribution.
- Combine flour and add caramels: Stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until almost combined. Then fold in the chocolate-covered sea salt butterscotch caramels, stirring just until there are no remaining streaks of flour.
- Prepare the baking pan: Line a 9×9 or 8×8 inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Spread the blondie batter evenly in the pan.
- Bake the blondies: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until the top is golden and the blondies are set. Avoid overbaking for chewy texture.
- Cool and serve: Let the blondies cool in the pan for at least 10 to 20 minutes before lifting them out using the liner. They are delicious both cooled or warmed slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds to enjoy gooey caramel pockets.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the browned butter by removing it from heat promptly once it turns golden and fragrant.
- Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to keep the blondies tender and chewy.
- Using parchment or foil lining with nonstick spray makes it easier to remove the blondies in one piece.
- These blondies are best stored at room temperature and can be reheated briefly to restore gooey texture.
