These Christmas blondies are soft, chewy, and packed with festive flavors! With chunks of chocolate and a hint of vanilla, they’re a sweet treat to brighten up the holidays.
Make sure to cut them into festive shapes—because who doesn’t love a good holiday dessert? I love serving them warm with a scoop of ice cream on top. Yum! 🎄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the blondies. If you’re out of butter, you can use coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce for a lighter option.
Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar gives a lovely caramel flavor. If you need a substitute, you can use granulated sugar mixed with a bit of molasses. Just one tablespoon of molasses per cup of sugar works well!
Chocolate Chips: Semisweet chips are classic, but you can mix it up with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even chopped candy bars. For a nutty taste, try adding chopped nuts too!
Contextual Add-Ins: The holiday M&M’s add color and fun. You can swap these with holiday sprinkles or even just chocolate chips if you want a simpler look. Dried cranberries or cherries add a nice tartness, which balances the sweetness.
How Do I Mix the Ingredients Without Overmixing?
One key to soft, chewy blondies is not to overmix once you combine the wet and dry ingredients. Here’s how to get it right:
- Mix the melted butter and sugar until creamy first. This helps incorporate air for a lighter texture.
- When you add eggs, mix just enough to blend. It’s okay if the mixture looks a little streaky.
- After adding the flour, stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until you see no dry flour. Stop as soon as it’s combined.
- Lastly, gently fold in your chocolate and any add-ins. Mixing gently keeps the blondies tender.
Taking care in this step will ensure you end up with perfect blondies every time!
Christmas Blondies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-Ins:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks or chips
- ½ cup butterscotch chips (optional)
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 cup red and green holiday M&M’s or candy-coated chocolate pieces
- ½ cup dried cranberries or cherries (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Christmas blondies recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 30 minutes to bake. Make sure to let them cool in the pan for a bit before slicing, which will take about 30 minutes. In total, you’re looking at about 1 hour and 15 minutes from start to enjoying these festive treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or just grease it lightly with cooking spray. This will help the blondies come out easily after baking.
2. Mix the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Use a whisk or spatula to mix until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This step is important for that delicious, gooey texture.
3. Add the Eggs:
Crack in the eggs one at a time. Be sure to mix well after adding each egg until it’s blended in nicely. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for that delightful flavor!
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mixing them together first will help ensure that the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Make sure not to overmix; the batter should be soft and slightly lumpy. This will keep your blondies chewy!
6. Fold in the Fun:
Gently fold in the chocolate chunks, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, holiday M&M’s, and dried cranberries if you’re using them. Save a handful of M&M’s to sprinkle on top for decoration—because we eat with our eyes too!
7. Bake the Blondies:
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Scatter the reserved M&M’s over the top for a colorful look. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. They are ready when the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool and Serve:
Let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper and cut into squares. If you want to make them extra special, dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving!
Enjoy these festive, chewy, and colorful Christmas blondies—perfect for holiday celebrations or simply to enjoy any day of the year!
Can I Substitute the Butter in This Recipe?
Yes, you can use coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce as a substitute for butter. If you prefer to keep it dairy-free, coconut oil works wonderfully, but keep in mind it may impart a slight coconut flavor.
How Can I Make These Blondies Gluten-Free?
To make gluten-free blondies, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum, or add 1/4 teaspoon for the right texture.
Can I Store Leftover Blondies?
Absolutely! Store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months! Just thaw them in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the batter a day in advance! Just store it in the fridge before baking. To maintain freshness, mix in chocolate and candy coated pieces just before baking.