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Made with butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and even some chocolate – if you’d like that too. These bars are generously glazed with a sweet, thick, and creamy brown butter maple glaze. There’s really nothing not to love about these peanut butter blondies. And the true secret? Brown butter and brown sugar. They keep these blondies incredibly flavorful, soft, gooey, and so delicious. They’re sweet, salty, peanutty, made in just 40 minutes, and every last bite is truly delicious.
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I know you all know this by now, but peanut butter has always been an ingredient my family loves. Growing up in Ohio, the buckeye state, my mom would often make buckeyes. Also known as chocolate peanut butter balls. And her Special K-Bars (the third recipe I ever posted) well, those were in our weekly rotation. Sometimes two, even three times a week – depending on the week!
My mom kept the desserts very well stocked.
So, yes, peanut butter has always been a staple dessert ingredient. And I love to play around with new ways to incorporate it into recipes, both sweet and savory.
Since we’re in this weird time where we’re transitioning from winter to spring. Lately, I’ve mostly been experimenting with mixing lighter berry-filled sweets with the tried and true classics.
However, it’s been forever since I made blondies, so I thought it would be fun to reinvent them a bit.
Enter these extra peanutty, sweet, and salty blondies. They’re the easiest to make and so delicious. Perfect for the weekend!
The steps
What I love about this blondie recipe is just how simple it is. You don’t even need a mixer!
Melt the butter and peanut butter together until creamy and combined. Add the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Then stir in the flour with some baking powder and a pinch of salt.
Very simple.
Since we all love chocolate, I stirred in a handful of chocolate chunks before baking. Totally optional.
While the bars cool, make the glaze.
Most blondie recipes are not glazed, but I wanted these to be extra special and a little over the top.
I took inspiration from my apple doughnuts that I shared this past fall. I decided on a buttery maple glaze with vanilla throughout. It’s just browned butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Simple, but delicious.
And it really does make these bars.
I kept the glaze drizzly but still thick and creamy. That way it can really sink into all the nooks and crannies of these peanutty blondie bars.
Nothing fancy by any means, but total and complete perfection.
Here’s a little tip, let the bars cool for 10 or so minutes, then drizzle on the glaze and enjoy a few of the bars warm. There isn’t anything better. The glaze melts onto the chocolate chunks and pockets of peanut butter. Every bite is so delicious!
Looking for other peanut butter desserts? Here are my favorites:
Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter Twix Bars
Soft and Crinkly Brown Sugar Peanut Butter Cookies
Lastly, if you make these Brown Butter Glazed Peanut Butter Blondies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Brown Butter Glazed Peanut Butter Blondies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate, roughly chopped, (optional)
Brown Butter Glaze
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt together the butter and 1/2 cup peanut butter, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in the brown sugar, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the chocolate, if using. 3. Press/spread the dough out into the prepared dish. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until just set in the center. Let cool. 4. Meanwhile, make the glaze. Add the butter to a small pot set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the maple syrup, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Drizzle the glaze over the bars. Let set for 5 minutes. Cut into bars…snack and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I made this in a 8×8 square pan and they turned out delicious… it didn’t seem to make much batter, so I can’t imagine them even working in a 9×13… they would have been so thin! I’m going to try it next time though, purely out of curiosity.
Hey Andrea,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
Help Tieghan. I am needing your carrot sheet cake with brown butter cream cheese frosting recipe. I printed it to make this up coming weekend but it does not have the frosting recipe on my page. And now it is gone from your site…:( Can you please share. Thanks so much!
Hi Robyn,
Please send an email to contact@halfbakedharvest.com and someone from my team will be able to help you out!! xTieghan
Thanks so much. Message sent. 🙂
Hi Tieghan!
These are really yummy! Followed the recipe perfectly and they came out super moist. First blondie I have ever made and will bake these often, they were really a crowd pleaser. Thank you for the great recipes.
P.s. how do you make the beautiful chocolate shavings on top? Your presentation is always gorgeous.
Hi Shannon,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try and sharing your feedback! I use a veggie peeler for the chocolate shavings:) xx
Oh my goodness these are the yummiest blondies ever!! I wish I could make them every day. Definitely a favorite recipe and will be on repeat!
Hey Emma,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try and sharing your feedback! xx
I made these on a whim after browsing for a little bit and they turned out great. I ended up using white and semi sweet chips for my chocolate and it was a nice touch. I also put them in a smaller pan so they came out really thick and gooey. They were a HIT! With the girlfriend and the office!
Hi Joe,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!☀️ xx
I was going to omit the glaze but I’m glad I didn’t; it makes the recipe!! Checked bars at 15 min, baked a total of 17 min and they were perfect. Sprinkled fleur de sel on top bc I love love love salty-sweet.
Hi Jackie,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xxT
Loved these quick and easy blondies. I’ve been burnt out on baking since the holidays, and this was exactly what I needed to get back at it. Minimal clean up and so delicious. I don’t like chocolate, so I love a good blondie recipe & substituted white chocolate for the chocolate chips. Great combo for those who are a fan of white chocolate Reese’s
Hi Hanna,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your review!? xT
Forgot the 5 stars.
Thanks again Joann!
These Blondies we’re yummy. I will make them again. This batch I made without the chocolate. I will add that next time. Thanks for the great recipe. I don’t bake much anymore.
The recipe name caught my attention. Happy Spring.
Hi Joann,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try!! Have the best day:) xx
Yummmm! These are absolutely delicious and so easy to make. My hubby tried to eat all the glaze before it even went on the blondies. Perfect salty peanut butter mixed with just the right amount of chocolate.
Hi Kristina,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
These were so delicious. I love the peanut butter in them! One question though, when I made the glaze I could not get the butter to combine. It separated no matter how much I whisked. I followed your directions yet still separated on me. Any idea why?
I just made these and had the same problem Holli! Not sure what I did wrong
I had to really whisk it to get it to combine. I also put it back on low heat while I whisked it. Then it was perfect!
Hi Alicia,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Hey Holli,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Hmm that’s weird, maybe allow the butter to cool just slightly next time. Have the best week:) xTieghan
The glaze is amazing! I wish the blondies were more gooey- less cake like, but they’re good.
Hey Amy,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Very tasty! A tad dry, will bake for a little less next time. Everyone enjoyed.
Hey Kristen,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
I just made these. The flavor was good, and loved the frosting . I baked it for 20 minutes and it was very dry. I think maybe 15 min might taste better.
Hi Dee,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, yes next time I would reduce your bake time! xTieghan
These look delicious and I can’t wait to make them! I love peanut butter but I was wondering if they can be made without it as just blondies?
Also, I read that you are from Ohio (me too!) so I was wondering if you are coming to Columbus or Cleveland for your book tour? Thanks!
Hi Sheri,
I have some other blondie recipes without peanut butter that you might like:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/brown-butter-apple-blondies/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pumpkin-butter-chocolate-chip-blondies/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/molten-chocolate-coffee-blondies/
Unfortunately, Ohio is not on the list for this tour, but maybe sometime later this year!
xTieghan