Brown Butter Pumpkin Blondies: A Fall-Inspired Treat

When fall arrives, the craving for warm, comforting flavors intensifies, and what better way to celebrate the season than with a batch of Brown Butter Pumpkin Blondies? These rich, chewy blondies combine the delicious nuttiness of brown butter with the warm spices of pumpkin, creating a treat that’s perfect for cozy afternoons, family gatherings, or as a festive dessert to bring to your next holiday party. The depth of flavor from the brown butter and the natural sweetness of pumpkin will leave you craving more, making these blondies a new autumn favorite.

Ingredients

For the Blondies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

For the Brown Butter Glaze:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk (more if needed)

Instructions

Make the Brown Butter:

1. Brown the Butter: Start by browning the butter. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and then begin to bubble. Keep an eye on it as it begins to turn a golden brown color. You’ll start to smell a nutty aroma, which means it’s ready. Once it’s browned, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the butter cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes.

Prepare the Blondie Batter:

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Add in the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract, and mix again until everything is well incorporated.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
4. Add the Chocolate Chips (Optional): If you’re using white chocolate chips, fold them into the batter for extra sweetness and texture.

Bake the Blondies:

5. Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
6. Bake the Blondies: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The blondies should be golden brown on top and firm around the edges but slightly soft in the middle.
7. Cool: Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.

Make the Brown Butter Glaze:

8. Brown the Butter for the Glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, just like you did for the blondies. Allow it to bubble and turn golden brown. Remove from heat once the butter is browned.
9. Make the Glaze: Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to the browned butter, whisking until smooth and the glaze reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk.

Frost the Blondies:

10. Drizzle the Glaze: Once the blondies have cooled, drizzle the brown butter glaze over the top. You can either pour the glaze on generously or use a spoon to drizzle in a more decorative pattern.

Serve and Enjoy:

11. Slice and Serve: Slice the blondies into squares and serve. They’ll be soft, rich, and bursting with fall flavors—the perfect bite-sized treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.

Final Thoughts

These Brown Butter Pumpkin Blondies combine everything we love about fall—pumpkin, spices, and brown butter—into one indulgent treat. The richness of the brown butter adds a nutty depth that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin’s warmth and the cozy spices. Topped with a luscious brown butter glaze, these blondies are an irresistible dessert that will quickly become a seasonal favorite. Whether for a special occasion or simply to enjoy on a crisp fall day, these blondies are a sweet reminder of everything that makes fall so special.

Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.