Brownie Blondies

If you can’t decide between brownies and blondies, make my brownie blondies recipe that brings two flavors in one pan! There are two options for the brownie batter; you can either use my chocolate brownie recipe or my cocoa brownie recipe!

Today’s brownie blondie recipe will make both brownie and blondie lovers happy. You need simple ingredients to make this delicious recipe. This recipe is easy as my other recipes. No mixer needed!

I already mentioned differences between brownies and blondies in my easy blondie post but let’s make a quick summary.

Blondies vs Brownies

Brown sugar and vanilla are the main ingredients of blondies.

Chocolate or/and cocoa powder are the main ingredients of brownies. Granulated sugar is used as a sweetener.

Chocolate can be an add-in for blondies but it is not the main ingredient.

About brownie batter

My brownies without cocoa powder are loved by many of my readers.  Those bars are chocolatey, moist and fudgy. They have everything you want from a brownie recipe. 

While I was creating today’s recipe, I tried it both with my chocolate brownies and with cocoa brownies.  If you already made my chocolate brownies, it is easy to guess how the brownie will taste in these brownie blondies. Simply delicious.

When I used my chocolate brownie recipe for those blondie brownies, I didn’t add the extra chocolate that I do in step 7. They tasted great that way too. You’ll find all the necessary information at the end of the post in the recipe card.

However, I wanted to give a cocoa brownie option today for the brownie batter as sometimes we may not have chocolate at home and want to stop our chocolate cravings with cocoa powder.  

My last sentence may be familiar to you from my chocolate cookies with cocoa powder. If you don’t have chocolate you can still stop your cravings with these cookies.

I get many comments as those cookies are perfect when there is no chocolate at home and they taste like brownies.

So if you are a fan of those cookies and name them as brownie cookies as my many readers do, you’ll love the cocoa brownie recipe today which is even moister than my cookies.

Shortly, you have two options: you can either use my chocolate brownie recipe or the recipe I share today for the brownie part.

About blondie batter

I adopted the blondie batter from my easy blondie recipe.  I don’t use any add-ins and I use all light brown sugar. You will have soft, moist and chewy blondies as you would expect.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Flour-It provides structure both for blondies and brownies.
• Cocoa Powder or Chocolate– If you prefer making the brownie batter with cocoa you’ll need cocoa powder, if you use my chocolate brownies, you’ll need semi sweet chocolate with 54% cocoa.
• Salt-It balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
• Butter-I use melted butter for moisture.
• Sugar –I use granulated sugar for the brownies and I use light brown sugar for the blondies. If you don’t have brown sugar you can check my how to make brown sugar post to make it homemade.
• Eggs-You’ll need 1 egg for each batter.
• Vanilla-It is not only a must ingredient for blondies but I it enhances the flavor of both batters.

Step by step instructions

Blondie Batter

I start with the blondies because the brownie batter thickens fast due to cocoa powder when I set aside the bowl to work on the blondies.  If you are using this cocoa brownie recipe instead of my chocolate brownie recipe, I suggest you do the same and start with the blondie batter.

First I mix the salt and flour in a small-medium bowl and set aside.

Next, I place the brown sugar in a medium bowl and pour melted butter on top.  I stir with a whisk until combined.

Then I add the egg and whisk until combined. Next, I mix in the vanilla.

Finally, I add the flour mixture and stir with a spoon/spatula until just combined.  When there is no visible flour, I stop stirring. I set aside the bowl to make the brownie batter.

Brownie Batter

If you are making my brownies without cocoa powder, you should cut the recipe in half and make it. You can check my post for step by step tutorial. When I made it, I skipped folding chocolate chunks and they were still delicious.

If you prefer cocoa brownies, here is how to make the recipe.

I place the cocoa powder, flour and salt in a small-medium bowl and stir with a whisk.  If there are any lumps in cocoa powder, this step helps to remove them.

Next, I place the granulated sugar in a medium bowl and pour melted butter on top. I stir until combined well with a whisk.

I add the egg and whisk until combined. Then I mix in the vanilla.

Finally, I add the cocoa mixture and stir with a spoon/spatula until just combined. When there is no visible cocoa mixture, I stop stirring.

Assembling

This part will remind you of my marble loaf cake. I simply spoon each batter next to each other.

I make two layers with each batter. So for the first layer, I use half of each batter.

I cover ¼ of the square baking pan with the blondie batter and I spoon brownie batter next to it. Then I spoon brownie batter next to blondie batter and brownie batter next to it. It has a check pattern.

After the first layer, I place each batter on top of the opposite batter (brownie batter on top of the blondie batter and vice versa). 

Then I use my knife and randomly make gentle swirls by going from one side to the other side and from the bottom right to top. I don’t make too many swirls otherwise the brownie batter and blondie batter will be mixed more than needed and there will be too much brownie layer when baked.

Instead, I simply use the leftover batter to make a nice design. There’ll be some batter left both in blondie and brownie bowls at least a teaspoon. I take them and place them where needed. 

For example, if there is too much blondie batter seen at the top, I place a few drops of brownie batter and use the tip of my knife and I make small swirls at the top without going deep.

Then I bake for almost 28 minutes until the top is lightly brown and a toothpick comes out almost clean with a few moist crumbs.  

I let the brownie blondies completely cool in the pan before slicing so I can cut neat slices. 

Enjoy!

Other vanilla chocolate recipes you may enjoy!

• Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

I love hearing from you!  If you try this recipe or my other recipes please leave a comment and give a star rating!