Irresistible Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies: The Ultimate Chewy, Sweet & Salty Dessert Recipe

Prepare yourself for an extraordinary treat that perfectly marries contrasting flavors and textures: these incredible Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies. Imagine a soft, delightfully chewy blondie, infused with the rich, nutty notes of browned butter, generously studded with melty chocolate chips, and elegantly swirled with ribbons of luscious salted caramel. Every bite delivers that coveted balance of sweet and salty, making them an instant favorite for any dessert lover.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies caramel pour on stack

Why These Blondies Are Positively Extraordinary

My adoration for salted caramel knows no bounds, and these Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies are a testament to that obsession. They truly are positively extraordinary! I’ll confess, I’d go to great lengths to secure the last one of these delectable treats – a slight departure from Grace Kelly’s elegant demeanor, perhaps, but entirely worth it for this level of deliciousness.

The secret lies in starting with my absolute favorite brown butter blondie batter. Browning the butter adds an incredible depth of nutty, toasted flavor that elevates the entire dessert. This rich base is then loaded with a generous quantity of mini Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring a chocolatey burst in every bite. But the real game-changer is the swirl of homemade salted caramel baked directly into the blondie itself. And just when you think it can’t get any better, a final drizzle of even more salted caramel cascades over the top after baking, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies sliced stacked

Embrace the Delicious Mess

Fair warning: these aren’t the tidiest of desserts. In fact, you might need four, maybe even five, napkins if you get a leetle carried away with the caramel sauce – just like I often do with these blondies and my equally divine caramel brownies! And honestly, you absolutely should get carried away with the caramel sauce because… why not?! Life’s too short for a conservative approach to salted caramel. This is a dessert meant to be savored, indulged in, and perhaps even licked off your fingers. The mess is just part of the charm, a sweet badge of honor for anyone who truly appreciates decadence.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies sliced in pan

The Magic of Browned Butter

If you’re new to the world of browned butter, prepare to have your mind blown. This simple technique transforms regular unsalted butter into a rich, nutty, and incredibly aromatic ingredient that adds unparalleled depth to baked goods. The process involves gently melting and cooking butter until the milk solids separate and toast, turning a beautiful golden-brown color. This imparts a complex, almost caramel-like flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the blondies and enhances the overall profile of this dessert. Don’t skip this step – it’s a foundational element that makes these blondies truly exceptional.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies sliced on white wooden board

That caramel… oh, that exquisite caramel!

Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies caramel pour close up detail

The sheer decadence is almost too much to handle! It’s the kind of dessert that makes you want to close your eyes, savor every morsel, and maybe even pass out from pure bliss. These aren’t just blondies; they’re an experience, a symphony of flavors and textures designed to delight your taste buds and leave you utterly satisfied.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies sliced in vintage baking pan

Tips for Baking the Best Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies

Achieving the perfect blondie is all about technique and a few key considerations. Here are some tips to ensure your Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies turn out perfectly:

Don’t Skimp on Browning the Butter: This is a crucial step for flavor. Watch the butter carefully as it melts and foams. Once the foam subsides, you’ll see small brown bits forming at the bottom and a nutty aroma will fill your kitchen. This is when it’s ready. Make sure to scrape all those browned bits into your bowl for maximum flavor.
Quality Ingredients Matter: While a simple dessert, good quality ingredients make a big difference. Use real butter, fresh eggs, and your favorite semi-sweet chocolate chips (mini chips are great for even distribution!).
Measure Accurately: Especially with flour, precise measurements prevent dry or crumbly blondies. Use a kitchen scale for best results, or spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher blondies instead of soft and chewy ones.
Cool the Caramel: As noted in the recipe, allow your caramel sauce to cool to room temperature before swirling it into the batter. If it’s too warm, it will melt into the batter rather than creating distinct, beautiful swirls. While still delicious, the visual appeal is enhanced with a cooler caramel.
Avoid Overbaking: Blondies are notoriously easy to overbake, which can make them dry. They should be golden brown around the edges, and the center should still have a slight jiggle when gently shaken. Remember, the toothpick test won’t work well here due to the melted chocolate and caramel.
Patience is Key for Cooling: It’s tempting to cut into these warm, but allowing them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack allows them to set properly, resulting in that perfect chewy texture.

Serving Suggestions & Storage

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies are fantastic on their own, perhaps with an extra drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce. For an even more indulgent experience, serve them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk makes for the perfect accompaniment.

To store these delicious blondies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy this delightful treat again.

5 from 2 ratings

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies

by
Chef Lindsey

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies are chewy, soft and the perfect balance of salty sweet. The browned butter blondie is swirled with salted caramel and chocolate chips!

Prep:
20 minutes

Cook:
20 minutes

Total:
40 minutes

Servings:
16 people

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Ingredients

For the Blondie:

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1 ½ cups
all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons
baking powder
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1 teaspoon
kosher salt
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¾ cup
unsalted butter
1 ½ sticks
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2 cups
light brown sugar
packed
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2
eggs
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1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
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½ cup
mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

2/3 cups caramel sauce [the best recipe for homemade here]

Makes:
0
inch

13
x
9
inch

rectangle

Instructions

To make the Blondie:

Preheat oven to 350F. Generously butter a 13x9x2 inch glass or pyrex baking pan.
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, swirling several times a minute, until browned bits cling to the bottom of the pan and the butter takes on a slightly nutty aroma. Transfer brown butter to a medium bowl. Be sure to get all the nutty goodness from the pan!
Add brown sugar and beat, with an electric mixer, until well combined and mixture resembles wet sand, 2-3 minutes.
Add eggs and vanilla; beat until fluffy, 2 minutes. Add dry ingredients and beat until smooth. The batter will be very thick.
Fold in mini chocolate chips. Turn out into prepared baking dish.
Using an offset spatula, evenly spread batter in pan.
Pour caramel into dish and, using an offset spatula, swirl it into the batter. You will let your caramel cool to room temperature before swirling; unlike me, or it will kind of melt into the batter. Delicious but not quite the look we were going for.
Bake blondie until golden brown or the center no longer jiggles when gently shaken, 20-25 minutes. The toothpick test will not work here because of all the mix-ins. Be careful not to over bake! Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Notes

Note: My only 8×8 pan (I halved the recipe above) was being taken by these Reese’s PB Blondies, so I baked it in a pyrex loaf pan. This was a bad plan, and it is not something I will repeat. Just know that your brownies will not be as awkwardly thick or uneven.

Nutrition

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 275

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Before You Go: Explore More Delicious Treats

I sincerely hope you enjoyed this professional chef-tested recipe for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Blondies! If you’re a fan of gooey, chewy bars, be sure to check out our other delicious Brownies and Bars Recipes for more inspiration. For those who love a refreshing, zesty twist, head straight over to my Lemon Blondies recipe – a delightful citrus variation that’s perfect for brighter days. Don’t forget to bookmark this page and share your creations with us! Happy baking!