The Best Spiced Blondies

ByChristopher Posted on

These spiced blondies are soft, chewy, and filled with cozy holiday flavors! Made with brown sugar, melted butter, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re loaded with chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and raisins for the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Once cooled, they’re finished with a drizzle of dark and white chocolate for a bakery-worthy touch. Whether you’re baking for a festive dessert platter or simply craving something sweet, this tested-to-perfection blondie recipe is guaranteed to impress.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe (and Why You Can Trust It)

I’ve tested and perfected this blondie recipe to strike that ideal balance between soft and chewy, sweet and spiced. As a professional recipe developer and entertaining expert, I create approachable, elevated recipes using simple ingredients you already have in your pantry. I’ve baked more batches of blondies than I can count over the years, and I’m always aiming for that signature golden top with a rich, buttery center.

These spiced blondies are my go-to for holiday baking because they bring a warm, nostalgic flavor that reminds me of gingerbread, but with the texture of a classic brownie. If you love cozy desserts that make your kitchen smell incredible, you’ll fall in love with these.

A Little Story About This Recipe

This recipe came to life one chilly weekend when I was craving something sweet but didn’t want to spend hours baking cookies. Blondies have always been one of my favorite quick desserts! They mix up in one bowl, bake in under 20 minutes, and can be customized endlessly. Inspired by the flavors of my favorite winter spice cookies, I added cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of coconut for texture. The final drizzle of chocolate makes them feel festive enough for gifting or sharing at a holiday party.

Why I Love These Spiced Blondies

  • One-bowl recipe – minimal cleanup!
  • Perfect balance of sweet and spiced.
  • Soft, chewy, and perfectly golden every time.
  • Holiday-ready with chocolate drizzle on top.
  • Great for potlucks, cookie exchanges, or cozy nights in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Blondies:

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark works)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
  • ½ cup raisins

For the Drizzle:

  • 2 oz dark chocolate, melted
  • 2 oz white chocolate, melted

Ingredient Tip

Use good-quality chocolate for the drizzle. It elevates the flavor and helps it set beautifully once cooled.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Nuts: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts for extra crunch.
  • Fruit: Swap raisins for dried cranberries or chopped dates.
  • Chocolate: Use white chocolate chips or a mix of milk and dark for contrast.
  • Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for a deeper, festive flavor.
  • Make it gluten-free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Directions

  1. Preheat oven: to 350°F (175°C). Line an 9×13-inch (or 9×9-inch for thicker blondies, increase bake time by 3-5 minutes) with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and eggs until smooth.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: Add flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until just combined.
  4. Add mix-ins: Fold in shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and raisins.
  5. Bake: Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is just slightly soft.
  6. Cool: Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing.
  7. Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle with melted dark and white chocolate for a beautiful, festive finish.

Recipe Tips

Don’t overbake — they’ll continue to set as they cool.

Use a metal pan for more even baking and that classic crackly top.

Chill the blondies before drizzling for clean, distinct chocolate lines.

For extra gooey blondies, slightly underbake by 1–2 minutes.

Store them in an airtight container for a soft, chewy texture that lasts days.

How to Store and Make Ahead

  • Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Refrigerator: Keeps up to 1 week, but bring to room temp before serving.
  • Freezer: Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

FAQ

Yes! Dark brown sugar gives an even deeper caramel flavor and chewier texture.

Of course — they’re optional, but they add lovely texture and flavor.

Not necessarily. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to help the chocolate set before serving.

Final Thoughts

These spiced blondies are the perfect combination of chewy, chocolatey, and warmly spiced — the kind of dessert that feels like a hug from the oven. They’re festive enough for holiday cookie trays but simple enough for an everyday treat. Whether you enjoy them with your morning coffee or bring them to a dinner party, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

So go ahead — preheat that oven and fill your kitchen with the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted chocolate. You’ll thank yourself later!

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