Brown Butter Blondies, Straight from the Skillet
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-pupose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cup chocolate chips or chunks (optional but highly recommended)
- Flaky sea salt, for topping
Method
Brown the butter.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling the pan, until the butter foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let cool slightly for 2–3 minutes.
Mix it all in.
- Whisk in the brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, whisking until glossy and combined. Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until just incorporated — don’t overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips if using.
Bake and serve.
- Spread the batter evenly in the skillet and bake for 18–22 minutes, until the edges are golden but the center still looks a little soft. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and let cool for at least 10 minutes before digging in.Serve straight from the skillet with spoons, or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that perfect warm-and-cold contrast.
Notes
Optional Add-Ins
- Chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch
- White chocolate and macadamia nuts for a bakery-style twist
- A drizzle of caramel sauce or spoonful of Nutella over top
Helpful Tips
- No skillet? Use an 8x8-inch baking pan lined with parchment.
- Gluten-free option: Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Make ahead: Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days — if they last that long.