16 Creative Twists on Vintage Blondie Recipes

Blondies have long held their place as a classic dessert, but that doesn’t mean they can’t keep up with the times. These 16 vintage blondie recipes stay true to their roots while adding a little something extra—spices, swirls, or mix-ins that take them in a new direction. Think of them as the bars you grew up with, just with a bit more flair. They’re still buttery and chewy, just with a twist that makes each batch worth baking again.

Pumpkin Blondies

A square piece of cookie bar with chocolate chips sits on a white plate, with a glass of milk in the background. — Pumpkin Blondies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

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Pumpkin purée and warm spices give these bars a soft, moist texture with a fall-inspired flavor. The base is rich with brown sugar and cinnamon, making every bite feel like sweater weather. They bake up with golden edges and a tender crumb. Chocolate chips or white chocolate add a nice contrast to the spiced base.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Blondies

Salted Caramel Blondies

Close-up of caramel blondie bars topped with caramel sauce, white chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of sea salt, arranged in a grid pattern. — Salted Caramel Blondies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Sweet caramel sauce is swirled into a chewy brown sugar batter and topped with a pinch of flaky salt. These bars balance richness with just enough salt to keep things interesting. The edges are crisp while the middle stays gooey. A drizzle of extra caramel on top never hurts.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Blondies

Birthday Oreo Blondies

Nine cookie bars topped with crushed golden cookies and colorful sprinkles are arranged on a tray. — Birthday Oreo Blondies. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

These are loaded with colorful sprinkles and chunks of birthday cake-flavored Oreos. The blondie base is soft and sweet, with a hint of vanilla that brings out the cake vibe. They’re festive without being fussy. A go-to for celebrations or just because.
Get the Recipe: Birthday Oreo Blondies

Blondies Recipe

A white plate with several rectangular golden-brown blondies, showing a slightly crisp top and visible nut pieces. — Blondies Recipe. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This is the classic you always come back to, built on butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. It’s chewy in the middle with a slightly crisp top. Easy to mix up and endlessly flexible with your choice of add-ins. A no-fail dessert for any kind of gathering.
Get the Recipe: Blondies Recipe

Strawberry Blondie Recipe

Strawberries bring a fruity sweetness to these bars that feels light but still rich. They’re soft, slightly tart, and pair nicely with white chocolate or a vanilla glaze. Fresh or freeze-dried berries work depending on the season. They’re a bright change from the usual chocolate lineup.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Blondie Recipe

Maple Blondies Recipe

A close-up of several pieces of moist, spiced coffee cake with a crumbly cinnamon topping, stacked on a white plate. — Maple Blondies Recipe. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

These bars are sweetened with maple syrup for a deep, mellow flavor. They bake up dense and moist, with just a hint of spice. Chopped nuts or a dusting of cinnamon can add a little crunch. Great with a cup of coffee or as a cozy afternoon treat.
Get the Recipe: Maple Blondies Recipe

Ultimate Blondies with Chocolate Chips

A baked tray of blondie bars with a golden, slightly cracked top, inside a square metal baking pan on a beige cloth with red stripes. — Ultimate Blondies with Chocolate Chips. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Loaded with chocolate chips and extra brown sugar, these are thick, soft, and deeply flavorful. The texture hits that sweet spot between chewy and gooey. A touch of sea salt on top makes them stand out. They’re a crowd favorite for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Blondies with Chocolate Chips

Easy Apple Cider Blondies

Two pieces of spiced cake bars stacked on a plaid cloth, with a red and a yellow apple in the background. — Easy Apple Cider Blondies. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Apple cider adds a subtle tartness and spice to these chewy bars. With hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, they taste like a fall afternoon. The texture stays soft without being cakey. Optional apple chunks add even more flavor and moisture.
Get the Recipe: Easy Apple Cider Blondies

Maple Butter Blondies (Applebee’s Copycat)

A maple walnut blondie topped with a scopp of vanilla ice cream and a maple caramel sauce. — Maple Butter Blondies (Applebee’s Copycat). Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Inspired by the restaurant version, these are sweet, buttery, and made to be served warm. A maple glaze poured over the top makes them extra rich. Vanilla and brown sugar round out the base. Best enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Maple Butter Blondies (Applebee’s Copycat)

Chocolate Chip Blondies

A batch of chocolate chip cookie bars cut into squares on parchment paper, with a knife resting beside them on a wooden surface. — Chocolate Chip Blondies. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

A timeless take that combines golden blondie dough with melty chocolate chips. The outside bakes up with a nice crust, while the inside stays soft and dense. No frosting or extras needed. Just chewy, chocolatey goodness in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Blondies

Sweet Potato Blondies

A batch of chocolate chip blondies cut into squares, with one piece missing and another piece slightly raised above the rest. — Sweet Potato Blondies. Photo credit: Eat Fresh Glow.

Sweet potato brings moisture and a natural sweetness to the mix, along with a soft, cakey texture. These bars lean into fall spices like cinnamon and clove. They’re subtle but satisfying. Walnuts or pecans make a great add-in.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Blondies

Double Chocolate Pecan Blondies

A stack of blondie dessert bars with chocolate chips and crumbs scattered around on a white surface. — Double Chocolate Pecan Blondies. Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

Dark and white chocolate chips plus toasted pecans take these to the next level. They’re rich without being overwhelming, with a chewy texture that holds up well. Every bite has a mix of crunch and creaminess. A solid pick when you want something extra.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Pecan Blondies

Lemon Blondies

Three lemon bars stacked on a white plate, surrounded by white chocolate chips and lemon slices, with a colorful cloth in the background. — Lemon Blondies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Bright and zesty, these bars are all about the lemon. A simple glaze on top enhances the citrus flavor and adds a touch of sweetness. They’re dense, buttery, and surprisingly refreshing. Great for spring or anytime you want something a little lighter.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blondies

Easter Blondies

Packed with pastel candies and white chocolate, these are colorful and fun. The base is buttery and chewy, with plenty of crunch from the candy. They’re easy to customize depending on what you have. A festive option that’s quick to put together.
Get the Recipe: Easter Blondies

Speculoos White Chocolate Blondies

A white rectangular plate with four blondie dessert bars, placed on a wooden surface with a floral cloth and yellow flowers nearby. — Speculoos White Chocolate Blondies. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Crushed spiced cookies and creamy white chocolate make these bars stand out. The speculoos adds warmth and crunch, while the chocolate keeps them soft and smooth. They’re rich, with a slightly spiced finish. Ideal for cool weather or holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Speculoos White Chocolate Blondies

Browned Butter Blondies

Rectangular pieces of pumpkin bars topped with glaze and pecans, arranged on parchment paper atop a wooden surface. — Browned Butter Blondies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Browned butter gives these a nutty, caramelized depth you can’t get any other way. The texture is soft with crisp edges and a golden top. No extras needed, but they play well with toasted nuts or chocolate. A grown-up take on a simple treat.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Blondies