Vanilla Brownies Recipe: How to Make a Vanilla Brownie
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Apr 14, 2022 • 2 min read
Vanilla brownies have a prominent sweet vanilla flavor due to the addition of vanilla extract, vanilla beans, or white chocolate.
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What Are Vanilla Brownies?
Vanilla brownies, also known as blondies, are brownies that contain a strong vanilla flavor and white chocolate (instead of cocoa powder). Vanilla brownies taste sweet, similar to vanilla cupcakes, and the texture is chewy and fudgy, just like traditional brownies.
4 Variations of Vanilla Brownies
Vanilla brownies are a dessert in their own right, but they are also a blank canvas for other flavors. If you want to put a new spin on vanilla brownies, here are four variations:
- 1. Birthday cake vanilla brownies: Add rainbow sprinkles to the vanilla brownie batter and top the cooled brownies with a sweet and fluffy buttercream frosting or a dusting of powdered sugar. Garnish the brownies with more sprinkles.
- 2. Browned butter vanilla brownies: Instead of using melted butter, make browned butter (or brown butter) for a nutty and intense butter flavor. In addition to browned butter, use half white sugar and half brown sugar; the smoky sweetness pairs well with browned butter.
- 3. Pecan vanilla brownies: Nuts and brownies are a classic combination. Pecans have a light nutty flavor that blends well with vanilla in brownies without overpowering it. Add cinnamon to the vanilla brownie batter to complement the pecans.
- 4. White chocolate macadamia vanilla brownies: The flavors that work well in cookies also work well in brownies. White chocolate chips and macadamia nuts add texture and flavor to vanilla brownies. Add dried cranberries to the mix if you want a tart flavor.
Vanilla Brownies Recipe
makes
9prep time
10 mintotal time
35 mincook time
25 minIngredients
- 1
Grease an 8-inch-by-8-inch pan with cooking spray.
- 2
Line the baking dish with parchment paper.
- 3
To a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips.
- 4
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- 5
Beat the butter and brown sugar on medium speed for 5 minutes.
- 6
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing between each addition.
- 7
Mix in the vanilla extract.
- 8
With the mixer on low speed, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips.
- 9
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it in an even layer.
- 10
Bake the brownies until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
- 11
Cool the brownies in the pan.
- 12
Cut the brownies into nine equal-size pieces before serving them. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
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