Bars are my favorite dessert to make because they’re so fast and easy. No dough to chill or individual cookies to form.
For these very soft, slightly chewy, buttery blondies that are topped with the most amazing vanilla bean-infused caramel glaze, I called upon my trusty blondie base.
When I want an easy, fuss-free, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that I know everyone will love, it’s my go-to . With 25+ versions and counting, it never lets me down.
It’s an easy recipe to memorize because everything is ‘one’. In the 1 bowl used, melt 1 stick of butter, stir in 1 egg, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla, and 1 cup flour.
The blondies are glazed with one of my favorite glazes of all time. It’s adapted from the Spiced Apple and Banana Bundt Cake I made back in 2012, and I’ve never forgotten that glaze.
The glaze is caramely from the brown sugar, buttery, creamy, slightly salty that’s reminiscent of salted caramel, and flavored with vanilla bean paste. I recommend the paste because it’s more intensely flavored than vanilla extract, but extract will still work.
The glaze is rich, decadent, and I want it on everything. It’s especially good on the blondies and really makes the dessert pop.
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Vanilla Bean Caramel Blondies
Bars are my favorite dessert to make because they’re so fast and easy. For these very soft, slightly chewy, buttery blondies that are topped with the most amazing vanilla-spiked caramel glaze, I called upon my trusty blondie base. It’s an easy, fuss-free, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe everyone loves. The glaze is caramely from the brown sugar, buttery, creamy, slightly salty and reminiscent of salted caramel, and flavored with vanilla bean paste. It’s rich, decadent, especially good on the blondies, and really makes the dessert pop. Use caution when making it because the mixture will bubble up as noted in the directions.
Ingredients
Blondies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Glaze
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (half of 1 stick)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 4 tablespoons half-and-half or cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted (must be sifted)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, optional
Instructions
- Blondies – Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- To a large, microwave-safe bowl add the butter and heat to melt, about 1 minute on high power.
- Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.
- Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until top is set in center and done. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Blondies firm up as they cool. While blondies are cooling, make the glaze.
- Glaze – This is a fast moving recipe; have everything in place before you begin. To a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- To the melted butter, add the brown sugar and bring to a boil, whisking nearly continuously. Allow the mixture to boil quite rapidly for 1 minute, whisking nearly continuously.
- Remove pan from the heat, allow it to cool for about 1 minute, and add the cream, taking caution because the mixture will bubble up vigorously. Whisk aggressively to incorporate the cream and calm the bubbling.
- After the bubbling has subsided, add the vanilla bean paste and whisk to combine, using caution because the alcohol in it could cause the mixture to bubble up again.
- Add the confectioners’ sugar (I absolutely recommend using sifted sugar so the glaze whisks up smooth, silky, and free from lumps), optional salt, and whisk to combine. Glaze should be easily pourable but not too thin. If it’s too thin, add a touch more confectioners’ sugar and if it’s too thick, add a splash of cream and whisk until desired consistency is reached.
- Pour glaze over blondies and allow it to set up for about 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Blondies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Glaze adapted from Spiced Apple and Banana Bundt Cake
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 313Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 150mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 0gSugar: 38gProtein: 2g
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Hi Averie, Would I use the same amount of an actual vanilla bean as vanilla bean paste??
Thanks
It’s a little tricky because there are many variables, but I would say no; but if in doubt I would add more rather than less than you think you need to. Enjoy!
Yum! Can’t wait to try these! Have you ever doubled the recipe? I’m thinking I’d need to use a 9×13? Thanks.
Haven’t tried to double this one but you’d probably be fine in a 9×13 pan.
Thanks again for your quick reply….and another amazing recipe! I doubled the recipe and used the 9×13 pan, and they came out perfectly. I had several people tell me these were the best dessert they’ve ever had. :) Thanks!
Such a big compliment for people to say these were the best dessert they’ve ever had! Thanks for sharing and glad it was a hit!
Your recipe was the best!
These were VERY good, from simple pantry ingredients !
These are anything but difficult to make and are SOO good–my most loved mix!
I utilized vanilla concentrate rather than glue, and the bars still ended up being tasty
Me again – just wanted to say to everyone that it’s a good day to revisit this recipe as today is NATIONAL BLONDIE DAY!! :-)
Didn’t know it was National Blondie Day, thanks for that tidbit :)
How much salt is in the glaze? It’s not listed in the ingredients.
I just updated the recipe. 1/4 teaspoon and it’s optional. Enjoy!
These are easy to make and are SOOO good–my favorite combination!
I used vanilla extract instead of paste, and the bars still turned out to be delicious. The caramel glaze is heavenly. My husband compared these bars to maple frosted donuts, and the comparison works somehow. But they mainly taste like deliciousness wrapped in caramel. Whenever I make dessert it usually involves some form of chocolate, but these are so good that I’ll forgive the lack of chocolate!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
The maple frosted donuts comparison is a great one, totally agree!
Finally made these today, worth the wait and dreaming about them! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you! Glad they were worth the wait!
@Averie Sunshine
Your formula was the best! Was the blondie great, as well as the genuine coating was executioner. The vanilla bean inside was virtuoso!
regards
rakhi
These. are. unbelievable! Made them, ate them, dreamt about them, and wanted to do it all over again! Truly a new favorite of mine!!! The only “issue” I had, was I had no cream, but used whole milk instead and as I added, it caused some of my caramel to clump up. I was able to finish the caramel sauce off with vanilla bean, as I had no vanilla paste, and just fished out the clumps and ate those like chewy toffee! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you! Sometimes different fat percentages in milk can cause caramel (or frosting or sauces really) to do different things but sounds like it all worked out for you :)
ohhh these blondies are so gorgeous and I can imagine how magical it must smell! ahhh I love vanilla beans and caramelllll
I have a question. Is there something I can substitute in for cream or tartar like butter or something?
There’s no cream of tartar in this recipe so you don’t have to worry.
These were VERY good, from simple pantry ingredients! This recipe is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you! Here’s to simple pantry ingredient recipes!
Your recipe was the best! Not only was the blondie good, but the actual glaze was killer. The vanilla bean inside was genius!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you! I love the glaze, too!
Averie,
These blondies look delicious. I always love easy to make recipes.
Annamaria
Amen. Bars seriously are the best dessert because you don’t have to put in as much effort. Pinning!
Thanks for pinning :)
oh. my. Are these for real!?!? These look like EVERYTHING I’VE ALWAYS WANTED!! Bringing these to the next party I’m headed to!!!
LMK if you end up making them for a party!
These look fabulous! And that glaze looks tempting enough to eat with a spoon all by itself!
Whenever you run a blondie recipe, I always wind up scrolling through ALL your blondie recipes. They’re just so happy! And seriously, you can’t beat how easy these are. Or how totally awesome those vanilla flecks are.
I love a good one-bowl recipe, and I LOVE your blondie recipe!! You know, you can practically taste how good these are, seriously, through the flippin screen. Unreal!
Love that these don’t require a mixer! Where in the store do you find the vanilla bean paste? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it but I really want to try it!
It’s tricky to find in grocery stores. Generally I use this https://www.amazon.com/Nielsen-Massey-Vanillas-Madagascar-Bourbon-Vanilla/dp/B003L259AU/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=lovvegyogruna-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=MFHV2TGMYGG2TF7K&creativeASIN=B003L259AU
That one is also sold in some Williams-Sonomas and gourmet specialty kitchen stores but Amazon is easiest I think :)
Way cheaper than I was expecting too thanks Averie!!
Awesome :) !
You know how sometimes you just crave a brownie? Well, today I’m craving blondies, and this is making me want to RUN to my kitchen right now. And that glaze? Just gimme a straw!
That glaze is some of my favorite of ALL TIME. That’s saying quite a bit in our job after all these years and thousands of glazes later!
I like blondies better than brownies. Forever and ever. And as a blondie elitist, I can say that these are definitely a fine specimen of blondie-hood. <3
True perfection!!!
Yum! I havent had a good blondie in ages! These look amazing!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Ooh, yum. I’d make these now, but I’m distracted by all the other related recipes and I can’t decide which I want to try first! :)
LOL well I know eventually you will decide on something :)
These look absolutely delicious! You just gave me a reason to purchase some vanilla bean paste!
I love that you used vanilla bean paste in these!! I love adding the vanilla paste to desserts, such a rich intense flavor. PINNED :)
Thanks for pinning and before I even read this comment, I saw your apple hand pies. That glaze. Want :) And yes to vanilla bean paste, that stuff does wonders!
Classic Averie Cooks recipe! Your bar recipe never fail to make my mouth water, for real!
I have been using vanilla powder (unsweetened) for the last few months and I love it! Much more concentrated vanilla taste without that fakey alcohol flavor.
I’ve never heard of vanilla powder…need to check that one out! I think with baking, the alcohol bakes off and some brands of vanilla as you know are much more high quality than others and you don’t notice it as much, even unbaked.
And yes, these are a classic Averie Cooks recipe :) Sometimes just going back to the basics (with a twist) is great!
I can taste these melting in my mouth already. Love that you used a vanilla bean!
I love your blondie base and use it all the time. I love to mix and match new things. Last week it was the base, plus peanut butter – then added in candy corn, white chocolate chips, marshmallows and peanuts.
So glad that you’ve taken the base and adapted it so many ways and times (me too…ha!)! But isn’t it wonderful with how versatile and easy it is! Your creations sound great!
That’s just like my trusty cookie base, I have made so many versions from it and I don’t see an end in sight! I may have to adopt your blondie base as I am still on the hunt for a good one.
I had a cookie base I didn’t cheat on for a few years, then I started playing around with it, and now I have a new one that I use most of the time but switch up the add-ins. But cookies for me are one of those things, I cannot just leave well enough alone and am always trying new things!
Yummalicious! Blondies are the besties!I need these in my life!!!
Another incredible looking bar with a to-die – for glaze! I am guessing some of that soaks in a little and yet there is still a nice layer for frosting lovers?
It soaks in a little, yes, and makes the bars even softer and gooier and they still remain a frosting lover’s dream :)
Can’t beat your amazing blondie recipes!
Thanks, Liz! Hope you’re doing well!!