Spring is the perfect time to indulge in these festive Easter Blondies! With a soft and chewy texture, rich buttery flavor, and a pop of colorful pastel M&M’s, these dessert bars are an easy, one-pan treat that brings joy to any gathering. Whether you’re making them for Easter, a spring party, or just to satisfy a sweet tooth, they’re guaranteed to be a hit! What makes these blondies extra special is their versatility! Swap in your favorite chocolate candies, drizzle them with white chocolate, or even add a handful of nuts for extra crunch. Plus, they store beautifully, so you can enjoy them all week long (if they last that long!). Bake a batch today and watch them disappear before your eyes!
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
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1 cup unsalted butter, melted
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2 large eggs
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon kosher salt
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1 ½ cups M&M’s candy (any variety)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
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Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Stir until fully combined.
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Fold in 1 ¼ cups of the M&M’s, reserving ¼ cup for the top.
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Press the blondie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s on top.
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Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into 16 squares.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 250 kcal per bar | Servings: 16 bars
The Ultimate Guide to Easter Blondies: A Festive Springtime Treat
Spring is the perfect season to indulge in light, chewy, and buttery blondies, especially when they’re packed with colorful pastel M&M’s. These Easter Blondies are an easy-to-make dessert that combines the rich, caramel-like taste of brown sugar with the crunch of candy-coated chocolate. Whether you’re preparing for an Easter celebration, a spring picnic, or simply looking for a fun baking project, these blondies are guaranteed to delight. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about these delightful bars: their origins, what makes them stand out, tips for perfecting the recipe, ingredient variations, and why they are the perfect treat for any occasion.
What Are Blondies? The Sweet Cousin of Brownies
Blondies are often described as the “vanilla version of brownies”, but they’re much more than that! Unlike brownies, which use cocoa powder or melted chocolate for their deep, fudgy flavor, blondies rely on brown sugar and butter to create a rich, caramelized taste with a chewy, soft texture. They have been a staple in American baking for over a century, first appearing in cookbooks as early as the 1890s. Over the years, bakers have customized blondies with a variety of mix-ins, from nuts and white chocolate to butterscotch chips and candies like M&M’s. This Easter Blondies recipe takes the traditional blondie to a whole new level by adding festive pastel candy, making it not only a delicious treat but also a visually appealing one that fits perfectly with the spring season.
Why This Recipe is the Best
There are countless blondie recipes out there, but this Easter Blondies recipe stands out for several reasons:
Easy, One-Bowl Recipe
- No need for complicated steps or fancy kitchen equipment! This recipe comes together in just one bowl, making cleanup a breeze. Simply mix, pour, bake, and enjoy.
Soft, Chewy Texture
- The secret to the perfect blondie lies in the balance of ingredients. This recipe uses melted butter and brown sugar, which work together to create that soft, chewy texture we all love.
Customizable Mix-Ins
- While pastel M&M’s make these blondies festive for Easter, you can easily swap them for other candies, chocolate chips, nuts, or sprinkles to fit any occasion.
Perfect for Make-Ahead Baking
- Blondies store well at room temperature or in the freezer, so you can make them in advance for a stress-free holiday treat.
No-Chill Dough
- Unlike some cookie recipes that require chilling the dough, these blondies go straight into the oven, making them a quick and convenient option when you’re short on time.
The Key Ingredients & Their Benefits
Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients in this recipe and why they’re essential to achieving the perfect blondie texture and flavor.
Brown Sugar
- The star of the recipe, brown sugar gives blondies their deep, caramel-like flavor and chewy texture.
- Using light brown sugar keeps the flavor mild, but you can swap in dark brown sugar for a richer taste.
Butter
- Using melted butter instead of softened butter helps create a dense, chewy texture instead of a cakey one.
- Unsalted butter is preferred so you can control the salt content in the recipe.
Eggs
- Eggs provide structure and moisture, ensuring the blondies don’t turn out dry.
Vanilla Extract
- A high-quality vanilla extract enhances the overall sweet, buttery flavor of the blondies.
All-Purpose Flour
- The right amount of flour is crucial—too much will make the blondies dry, too little will make them too gooey.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda
- These leavening agents give the blondies just a little lift while keeping them chewy and dense.
Kosher Salt
- Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of all the ingredients.
M&M’s (or Easter Candy of Choice)
- The festive pastel-colored M&M’s add a fun, seasonal touch, making these blondies visually appealing and extra delicious.
Tips for Perfect Easter Blondies
To ensure your blondies turn out perfectly soft, chewy, and golden every time, follow these expert baking tips:
Measure Your Flour Correctly
- Always use the spoon-and-level method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup, then level it off with a knife. Too much flour can make your blondies dry and crumbly.
Do Not Overmix the Batter
- Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the blondies tough instead of soft and chewy. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Bake Until the Edges are Golden, But the Center is Slightly Soft
- The blondies continue to bake in the pan after being removed from the oven. Take them out when the edges are lightly golden and the center looks just set.
Let Them Cool Completely Before Cutting
- If you cut them while they’re still warm, they may fall apart. Allow them to cool completely to set properly.
Use Parchment Paper for Easy Removal
- Lining the baking pan with parchment paper makes it easier to lift the blondies out and cut them evenly.
Fun Variations & Customizations
Although this recipe is perfect as-is, you can customize your Easter Blondies in many ways:
- Chocolate Lovers: Add white chocolate chips or drizzle melted white chocolate on top.
- Nutty Delight: Stir in chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for extra crunch.
- Cookie & Cream: Add crushed Oreos for a cookies-and-cream twist.
- Salted Caramel: Swirl in caramel sauce and sprinkle sea salt on top.
- Festive Sprinkles: Swap M&M’s for colorful sprinkles for a birthday party version.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
At Room Temperature:
- Store the blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
In the Freezer:
- Cut the blondies into squares and layer them with wax paper in a freezer-safe container.
- They freeze well for up to 3 months!
- To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before eating.
Serving Suggestions
Easter Blondies are perfect on their own, but you can also get creative with how you serve them:
- Warm them up and top with vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- Serve with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee.
- Cut them into smaller squares and add them to a dessert charcuterie board.
Conclusion
These Easter Blondies are a must-bake treat for spring! They’re easy to make, bursting with flavor, and filled with colorful candy that makes them perfect for Easter celebrations, springtime gatherings, or simply satisfying a sweet craving. With their soft, chewy texture and buttery caramel flavor, they’ll quickly become a family favorite. Plus, with so many customization options, you can make them uniquely yours every time! So why wait? Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and start baking these delicious blondies today!