Cookies and Bars
Chocolate Chip Banana Bourbon Blondies Recipe
These blondies are essentially the rebellious, more sophisticated cousin of banana bread. Packed with the deep, toasted notes of browned butter and a generous splash of bourbon, they offer a chewy, fudgy texture that melts into the dark chocolate chips.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Serves
- 12
- Level
- Easy
- Per serving
- 255 kcal
Method
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the butter foams, then turns clear, and finally develops small brown flecks at the bottom. Once it smells nutty and toasted, remove from heat immediately so it doesn't burn.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter and the brown sugar. Whisk until well combined.
Add the mashed banana, egg, bourbon, and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the batter looks smooth and slightly glossy.
Switch to a spatula and fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix only until no streaks of dry flour remain—don't overdo it or they will become tough.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with your spatula.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should be golden and pulling away slightly from the sides, but the center should still look quite soft.
Let the blondies cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and slicing. This is crucial for that fudgy, set texture.
Notes
The darker the banana, the better. If your bananas aren't spotted yet, they won't provide the same depth of flavor.
Don't skip the browning of the butter. That toasted flavor is what bridges the gap between the sweet banana and the woody bourbon.
For the cleanest slices, pop the pan in the fridge for 30 minutes after they have reached room temperature.
If you want a more intense bourbon flavor, you can brush a tiny bit of extra bourbon over the top of the warm bars right as they come out of the oven.
