Chocolate Chip and Cherry Blondies

The balance of rich chocolate chips and tart dried cherries in these blondies is what makes them so unforgettable. Buttery, chewy, and with just the right amount of sweetness, these bars are a crowd-pleasing treat that comes together in under 40 minutes.

Perfect for bake sales, afternoon coffee breaks, or as a quick dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth, these blondies are also endlessly adaptable. Want a deeper flavor? Try browning the butter. Prefer nuts? Toss in some chopped pecans. However you slice them, these bars deliver big flavor in every bite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup dried cherries (or more, to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with brown sugar and stir until smooth.

3. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined.

4. Stir in the flour and salt, mixing just until incorporated, do not overmix.

5. Fold in the chocolate chips and dried cherries until evenly distributed.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

7. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.

8. Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 28 minutes | Total Time: 38 minutes

Kcal: 260 kcal | Servings: 9 blondie bars

A Sweet Twist on a Classic: Chocolate Chip and Cherry Blondies

Few desserts strike the perfect balance between chewy, buttery indulgence and fruity brightness quite like a good blondie bar. When you add tart cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips into the mix, you elevate a classic treat into something truly special. These Chocolate Chip and Cherry Blondies are more than just a simple dessert, they’re a moment of nostalgic comfort, upgraded with flavor-forward ingredients that make every bite unforgettable.

Blondies have long been the understated cousin of brownies. While brownies are dark, intense, and rich with cocoa, blondies bring warmth, softness, and a caramel-like flavor thanks to brown sugar and butter. Think of them as a cross between a cookie and a cake bar, perfect for when you want the handheld ease of a brownie but crave a butterscotch-forward twist.

In this version, the chewy texture of a traditional blondie base is complemented by pockets of melty chocolate and bursts of dried cherries. The result? A beautifully balanced flavor profile, not too sweet, with just enough tang to keep you coming back for more.

Why This Blondie Recipe Works

1. The Perfect Chewiness
The key to a perfect blondie is getting that signature chewy texture and this recipe nails it. The combination of melted butter and brown sugar creates a rich, dense base that stays soft in the center while offering just enough bite around the edges. Unlike cookies, you’re not creaming butter and sugar for aeration — melting the butter gives you a denser crumb and deeper butterscotch flavor.

2. The Sweet and Tart Flavor Pairing
Dried cherries offer a tartness that cuts through the sweetness of the blondie batter and complements the chocolate chips beautifully. Each bite delivers contrast, the richness of the brown sugar, the gooey chocolate, and that fruity zing from the cherries.

3. Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor
You don’t need a long list of complicated ingredients. With just a handful of pantry staples like flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla, you get a dessert that tastes far more impressive than the effort it takes to make it. This is a go-to recipe for busy bakers, new cooks, and anyone craving a bakery-style treat without leaving home.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level yourself. Make sure it’s fully melted and slightly cooled before mixing to prevent scrambling the egg.

Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is ideal here. It lends a molasses note that enhances the richness. For a deeper, almost toffee-like flavor, you can use dark brown sugar instead.

Egg: A single large egg binds the batter and helps with structure.

Vanilla Extract: A generous tablespoon of vanilla may seem like a lot, but it’s necessary to bring depth and complexity to such a simple base.

All-Purpose Flour: Just enough to hold everything together. Over-measuring flour can lead to dry, cakey blondies, so always spoon and level it or use a kitchen scale.

Salt: Don’t skip it. A small amount balances the sweetness and intensifies flavor.

Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chips strike the perfect balance between rich and sweet. You could also try dark chocolate chunks for an even bolder flavor.

Dried Cherries: These add chew, brightness, and visual appeal. You can use sweetened or unsweetened depending on your taste preference. Want a tangier bite? Opt for tart Montmorency cherries.

Variations and Substitutions

• White Chocolate Chips: Swap the semi-sweet for white chocolate to enhance the sweet-and-tart pairing even more.

• Chopped Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, or almonds can add crunch and nutty flavor.

• Coconut Flakes: Add texture and a hint of tropical flavor.

• Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of orange or lemon zest can brighten the entire batch.

• Fresh Cherries: In season? Pit and chop fresh cherries and fold them in with the chips (just reduce the quantity slightly and toss them in a bit of flour first to avoid excess moisture).

Tips for the Best Blondies Every Time

1. Don’t Overmix: Once the flour goes in, mix until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, making the bars tough.

2. Watch the Bake Time: You want a toothpick inserted in the center to come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Blondies continue cooking slightly as they cool.

3. Cool Completely Before Cutting: Let them set up to avoid crumbling and get clean edges when slicing.

4. Use the Right Pan: An 8×8-inch metal baking pan works best. Glass pans can cause uneven baking, and dark pans may bake the edges too quickly.

How to Serve Blondies

• With Ice Cream: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla or cherry ice cream for a classic a la mode moment.

• Drizzled with Sauce: Chocolate or caramel sauce adds an elegant finish.

• As a Gift: Wrap in parchment and tie with twine for a homemade gift that’s thoughtful and delicious.

• In a Dessert Platter: Pair with cookies, brownies, or lemon bars for a diverse dessert board.

Blondies are incredibly versatile, making them ideal for birthdays, bake sales, office treats, school lunchboxes, and even casual holiday gatherings.

Storing and Freezing

Blondies store beautifully, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert.

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Refrigerator: If you prefer a firmer texture, refrigerate for up to a week.

• Freezer: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 15-20 seconds.

A Treat That Transcends the Ordinary

There’s something magical about combining simple ingredients into something that feels indulgent and satisfying. These Chocolate Chip and Cherry Blondies are more than a quick dessert, they’re a celebration of contrasts: soft and chewy, sweet and tart, rich and bright.

Whether you bake them for a weekend treat, serve them at a celebration, or sneak one with your morning coffee, these bars will quickly become a beloved favorite in your kitchen. They remind us that sometimes the best recipes are the simplest, enhanced by a few thoughtful additions like cherries and chocolate.

So, the next time you’re craving something sweet but not too heavy, nostalgic but with a twist, let these blondies be your go-to. Bake a batch, share with friends, or keep them all to yourself (we won’t tell).

Conclusion

In a world full of over-the-top desserts and complicated confections, these Chocolate Chip and Cherry Blondies stand out because of their simplicity, balance, and flavor. They require no fancy equipment or culinary skills, just a bowl, a spoon, and a craving for something genuinely satisfying.

Whether you enjoy them as-is or get creative with add-ins, one thing’s certain: once you try them, they’ll become a staple in your baking repertoire. A reliable, flexible, and downright delicious dessert that brings joy with every bite.