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Caramel Cream Butter Blondie Bites

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Yields: 36 decadent bite-sized squares
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Cooling time: 1 hour (minimum)
Total time: About 1 hour 45 minutes

Intensities

  • Difficulty: Intermediate (3/5 – due to the browned butter and swirling technique)

  • Time Commitment: Medium (2/5 – requires focused attention)

  • Prep Intensity: Medium (2/5 – multiple components to prepare)

  • Cleanup: Medium (2/5 – you’ll use a few bowls and a saucepan)

Equipment

  • One 9×9 inch Square Baking Pan

  • Parchment Paper

  • Medium Saucepan

  • Two Mixing Bowls (1 medium, 1 small)

  • Whisk and Spatula

  • Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients

For the Browned Butter Base:

  • ¾ cup (1.5 sticks / 170g) Unsalted Butter

  • 1 ½ cups (320g) Packed Light Brown Sugar

  • 2 Large Eggs, at room temperature

  • 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

For the Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (188g) All-Purpose Flour

  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder

  • ½ teaspoon Salt

For the Caramel Cream Cheese Swirl:

  • 4 oz (113g) Full-Fat Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature

  • ¼ cup (50g) Granulated White Sugar

  • 1 Large Egg Yolk

  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract

  • ⅓ cup Thick Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

Step 1: The Foundation – Create the Browned Butter

This is the most crucial step and the soul of the recipe. In your medium saucepan, melt the ¾ cup of butter over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams, crackles, and then settles. You will see tiny golden-brown milk solids forming at the bottom. It will smell nutty and fragrant. This process takes about 5-8 minutes. Watch it closely— it can go from perfectly browned to burnt in seconds.

Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully pour the browned butter into a heat-proof mixing bowl, ensuring you scrape in all the toasted bits. Allow it to cool for about 10-15 minutes. It should be warm, not hot.

Step 2: Build the Blondie Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.

To the slightly cooled browned butter, add the packed brown sugar. Whisk vigorously for a full minute until the mixture is smooth and has thickened slightly. This helps create that signature shiny, crackly top.

Add the two eggs and the 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Whisk again until the mixture is well combined, smooth, and glossy.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold just until the last streaks of flour disappear. Do not overmix. The batter will be thick and luxurious.

Step 3: Create the Caramel Cream Ribbon

In your small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla. Beat with a whisk or a fork until completely smooth and lump-free.

Step 4: The Art of Assembly

Pour about two-thirds of the blondie batter into your prepared pan, spreading it into an even layer.

Dollop about half of the caramel sauce and all of the cream cheese mixture over the batter in the pan. Use a knife or a toothpick to gently swirl the cream cheese and caramel into the blondie batter. You want beautiful ribbons, not a homogenous mix.

Dollop the remaining blondie batter over the top, followed by the remaining caramel sauce. Use your knife again to create a final, gentle swirl, marbling everything together.

Step 5: The Perfect Bake

Bake for 20-25 minutes. The blondies are done when the edges are firm and pulling away from the pan, and the center is just set. It should have a slight wobble, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. The caramel swirls will be bubbly.

Do not overbake! The residual heat will continue to cook them as they cool, and overbaking is the enemy of a fudgy texture.

Step 6: The Crucial Patience Period

This is the hardest part. Place the pan on a wire rack and allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan—this will take at least an hour. For the cleanest, most perfect squares, we highly recommend chilling the entire pan in the refrigerator for an additional hour after they’ve cooled to room temperature. This sets the caramel and cream cheese swirls firmly.

Once chilled, use the parchment paper to lift the entire slab onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice it into 6×6 rows, creating 36 perfect, bite-sized squares.

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Due to the cream cheese swirl, these bites must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 5 days.

  • Freezing: These freeze exceptionally well. Arrange the bites in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

  • Serving Suggestion: For the ultimate experience, serve these bites chilled or let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top just before serving elevates them to a new level.

Customization & Tips

  • Add-In Ideas: Fold ½ cup of toasted pecans, walnuts, or white chocolate chips into the blondie batter before swirling.

  • Salt is Key: The ½ teaspoon of salt in the batter is not optional; it is essential for balancing the intense sweetness. Do not skip it.

  • Room Temperature is Crucial: Using room-temperature eggs and properly softened cream cheese prevents the cream cheese swirl from seizing and ensures a smooth, even swirl.

  • The Chill Factor: Chilling before cutting is the secret professional baker’s trick for getting impeccably clean edges and a firm, fudgy texture.

Nutrition Information

Disclaimer: The following nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

  • Serving Size: 1 blondie bite (1/36 of the recipe)

  • Servings Per Recipe: 36

  • Calories: ~130

  • Total Fat: 6g

    • Saturated Fat: 3.5g

  • Cholesterol: 30mg

  • Sodium: 75mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 18g

    • Dietary Fiber: 0g

    • Sugars: 13g

  • Protein: 1g

The Caramel Cream Butter Blondie Bite is more than a recipe; it’s a testament to the power of brown sugar and butter. It’s a carefully crafted treat that rewards patience and technique with an unparalleled depth of flavor and a truly luxurious texture. So, brown that butter, swirl that caramel, and prepare to create a bite-sized legend.

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