Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies Recipe
Few things capture the sweet magic of chewy, gooey dessert bars quite like Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies. Imagine rich, buttery blondie squares, generously packed with bursts of chocolate chips and juicy, tart cherries in every bite. These bars are so simple to make but truly shine with flavor and color—the perfect treat to share with friends, serve at a party, or sneak for yourself with an afternoon coffee. Whether you use dried cherries for a pop of tang or go for fresh, ripe cherries in season, this is a recipe bound to become your new favorite snack or dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies lies in a handful of pantry staples, each playing a crucial part in building layers of taste and irresistible chewiness. Here’s what you’ll need and why every ingredient matters for this recipe’s flavor and wow factor.
- Unsalted butter: Melting the butter delivers a luscious, dense crumb and bold flavor, letting all the mix-ins shine.
- Light brown sugar: Gives the blondies that caramel-like depth and signature chewiness you can’t get from white sugar alone.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while adding richness and structure to keep the bars moist.
- Vanilla extract: Just a touch brings out the buttery notes and enhances both the cherry and chocolate flavors.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure so your blondies hold up, but still stay soft and tender inside.
- Baking powder: Offers just a little lift, ensuring they’re thick without being dense or heavy.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and sharpens the other flavors, so don’t skip it!
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Melt into gooey puddles of chocolate in every bite; you can also swap in white chocolate for a twist.
- Dried cherries or chopped fresh cherries: The real star here, adding juicy tartness and a burst of color to every bar.
- Walnuts or pecans (optional): If you love a bit of crunch, nuts introduce fabulous texture with just enough nutty warmth.
How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, making sure it stretches up the sides for easy removal later. This step ensures your blondies won’t stick, so you get those perfect, bakery-worthy squares every time.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Grab your largest mixing bowl and whisk together the melted, slightly cooled butter and brown sugar until it’s glossy and smooth. Add in the eggs one at a time, along with the vanilla extract, mixing just until everything is blended and creamy. The melted butter fuses with the sugar for that signature butterscotch flavor.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, helping your Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies rise evenly and taste perfectly balanced from edge to edge.
Step 4: Blend and Add Mix-Ins
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined—no need for a mixer here. Once the batter comes together, fold in the chocolate chips, cherries, and nuts if you’re using them. This is when those beautiful pockets of chocolate and pops of tart fruit get evenly scattered throughout.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Spread the blondie batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top for even baking. Slide it into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should be set and lightly golden, while the center stays soft—a toothpick inserted in the center should have a few moist crumbs attached. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into generous bars.
How to Serve Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a handful of chopped nuts scattered on top right after baking brings beautiful contrast and a bakery-style finish. If you’re feeling fancy, try drizzling melted chocolate over the cooled bars, or even serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special touch! Fresh cherries on the side look stunning too.
Side Dishes
These blondies are mouthwatering on their own, but pair beautifully with creamy drinks like hot chocolate, a strong cup of coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. For a dessert platter, add some fresh berries or sliced fruit to balance the sweetness and add more color to your table.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, slice the Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies into bite-sized cubes and stack them on a tiered stand with cherry stems as a playful garnish. Wrap individual squares in parchment and twine for the prettiest lunchbox or picnic treat, or layer cut blondies in mason jars with whipped cream and more cherries for single-serve, picnic-ready parfaits.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay fresh and soft for up to four days. If your kitchen is especially warm, you can refrigerate them to prevent the chocolate from melting but let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies freeze exceptionally well! Cool them completely, then wrap individual bars or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to three months. For quick snacks, keep a stash of pre-cut bars ready to go in the freezer—just thaw and enjoy anytime.
Reheating
If you crave that fresh-baked, gooey taste, warm individual blondies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, or pop a tray of bars in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes before serving. This revives the chocolate chips and brings out just-baked flavor, making them taste irresistibly bakery-fresh.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?
Absolutely! Just be sure to pit and chop the fresh cherries well, then drain them thoroughly with a paper towel to avoid adding too much extra moisture to your batter. Fresh cherries bring incredible bursts of juiciness to Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies.
What kind of chocolate chips work best?
Semisweet chocolate chips balance perfectly with the tart cherries, but you can experiment with white or dark chocolate chips for your preferred level of sweetness. White chocolate will make the bars extra decadent, while dark chocolate adds a sophisticated twist.
Can I make these nut-free?
Definitely! Simply leave out the walnuts or pecans if you need to, and these Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies will still have amazing texture thanks to the chewy crumb, melty chocolate, and pops of cherry.
How do I know when my blondies are done baking?
Look for golden edges and a slightly softer, puffy center—the trick is not to overbake. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but not raw batter. Blondies firm up as they cool for the perfect chewy, fudgy bite.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
You sure can! Use a larger baking sheet or make two batches side by side. Just keep an eye on your baking time—thicker bars may need an extra couple of minutes, while thinner batches could finish a bit sooner.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a dessert that feels classic, cozy, and endlessly indulgent, Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies are the answer. Their luscious texture, bursts of sweet-tart cherry, and melty chocolate chips just might make them your new go-to treat. Don’t wait—grab a bowl and some cherries, and let these blondies work their magic!
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Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 blondies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delicious Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies, a delightful twist on classic blondies with the sweet addition of cherries and chocolate chips. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
Blondie Batter:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-Ins:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup dried cherries (or chopped fresh cherries, pitted and drained)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mix until combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stir until just combined.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in chocolate chips, dried cherries, and optional nuts. Spread batter into pan.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until top is golden and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool and slice: Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh cherries for dried, but be sure to pit and drain them well to avoid excess moisture.
- White chocolate chips can be used for a sweeter variation.
- Blondies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
