Orange Blondies
Bright, zesty, and packed with fresh citrus flavor, these Orange Blondies offer a moist and chewy texture with an irresistible orange aroma. Perfect as a vibrant dessert or snack, this easy-to-make recipe uses simple pantry staples elevated by fresh orange juice and zest to create a tangy twist on the classic blondie.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 large orange (about 1 tablespoon)
- Prepare Your Baking Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure your blondies release easily after baking.
- Melt Butter and Mix Wet Ingredients: Gently melt the unsalted butter over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl. Combine the melted butter with granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, fresh orange juice, and orange zest in a large bowl. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt throughout the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix to keep your Orange Blondies soft and tender.
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, lift them out using the parchment paper and cut into squares. Cooling thoroughly helps achieve the ideal chewy texture and clean slices.
Notes
- Use fresh orange zest: Always zest before juicing your oranges to maximize aroma and flavor.
- Don’t over-mix: Stir just until the flour disappears to keep your blondies tender.
- Test for doneness early: Begin checking a few minutes before baking time ends to avoid drying out.
- Chill before slicing: Cooling completely or refrigerating will help you get cleaner cuts.
- Room temperature ingredients: Eggs and butter mix better when they’re not cold, leading to smoother batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 2x2 inch)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: orange blondies, citrus blondies, chewy blondies, orange dessert, easy blondies recipe