If you’re searching for a dessert that’s cozy, festive, and a little unexpected, you’re going to love this Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies Recipe. I absolutely love how the warm spices blend with pockets of sweet, creamy white chocolate. When I first tried this combination, I discovered a perfect balance between spicy gingerbread notes and buttery blondie richness that makes it hard to stop at just one square. Keep reading — I’ll walk you through every step so you can nail these on your very first try.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect blend of flavors: The warm, spicy gingerbread spices paired with sweet white chocolate create a deliciously balanced bite every time.
- Simple ingredients: You likely already have most of these classic baking staples in your pantry, which makes this recipe super accessible.
- Family favorite: My family goes crazy for these blondies around the holidays and honestly, just anytime I whip them up.
- Foolproof method: The step-by-step instructions include tips that help prevent common baking blunders, even if you’re not a seasoned baker.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here come together to create that classic gingerbread feel with a lovely twist of sweet indulgence from the white chocolate chips. I like to use fresh spices and good-quality molasses — it really makes a difference and brings out deeper flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The base of our blondies, providing structure while keeping them soft and chewy.
- Baking soda: Helps these blondies rise just enough without making them cakey.
- Fine sea salt: I recommend fine sea salt over table salt—it dissolves better and brightens the flavors.
- Ground ginger: The star spice in gingerbread, it gives warmth and a slight kick you’ll recognize immediately.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds that comforting, sweet-spicy aroma typical of gingerbread.
- Ground cloves: Use sparingly for depth and a hint of sharpness that balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Melting it intensifies flavor and blends well with brown sugar for maximum chewiness.
- Light brown sugar: Offers moisture and a subtle caramel undertone that pairs perfectly with molasses.
- Granulated sugar: Adds crispness to the edges, balancing the chewiness.
- Unsulfured molasses: The heart of gingerbread—dark, rich, and bittersweet. Make sure it’s unsulfured for a clean flavor.
- Eggs plus egg yolk: Provide richness and bind everything together, while the extra yolk adds moisture and tenderness.
- Pure vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and rounds out the spices nicely.
- White chocolate chips: Sweet, silky bites of white chocolate that contrast beautifully with the spice.
- Flaky sea salt (optional): Sprinkling a pinch on top before baking elevates the flavor and adds a lovely texture.
Variations
I love making this Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies Recipe my own by tweaking a few things here and there. You really can make it your own—try swapping out add-ins, adjusting spices, or even making it dairy-free!
- Dark Chocolate Chips Instead of White Chocolate: I’ve done this when I want a more intense chocolate flavor, and it adds a lovely bittersweet twist to the sweetness of the gingerbread spices.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend: For gluten sensitivity, replacing the all-purpose flour with a good gluten-free blend works well—just make sure it includes xanthan gum for structure.
- Vegan Modifications: Swap butter for coconut oil and use flax eggs instead of real eggs. I haven’t tested as thoroughly, but it’s a great starting point for vegan friends.
- Extra Chopped Nuts: Sometimes I toss in chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch. They compliment the warm spices and creamy chocolate beautifully.
How to Make Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies Recipe
Step 1: Prep your pan and gather your spices
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a nice overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Pro tip: If you don’t have a metal pan and need to use glass or ceramic, lower the temperature by about 15°F and add roughly 5-10 minutes to your bake time so it doesn’t brown too quickly. While the oven’s heating, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and all those warming spices—ginger, cinnamon, and cloves—in a small bowl and set it aside. This step makes mixing smoother and ensures that every bite is evenly flavored.
Step 2: Mix your wet ingredients with care
Melt your butter gently—either on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave—in a microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, whisk in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until everything is well combined and glossy. Don’t skip letting the mixture cool for a few minutes before adding the eggs and vanilla; if it’s too warm, you risk scrambling those eggs. Whisk until smooth and uniform, creating a silky batter that’s the base of your blondies.
Step 3: Bring it all together without overmixing
Pour the dry flour and spice mixture into the wet ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold everything just until combined. I’ve learned the hard way that overmixing can lead to tough blondies, so a few flour streaks are okay—these will disappear as you fold. Finally, fold in your white chocolate chips so they’re evenly distributed. The batter will be thick and rich, which is exactly what you want.
Step 4: Bake and cool to perfection
Spread your batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for about 27 minutes, or until the edges have set and look firm, but the center still jiggles ever so slightly when you gently shake the pan—this is the sweet spot for soft, chewy blondies. If you want, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top as soon as they come out of the oven; it adds a subtle saltiness that elevates the flavors beautifully. Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 2-inch squares. Don’t worry if the center sinks a little—that’s perfectly normal and part of the charm.
Pro Tips for Making Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies Recipe
- Room Temperature Eggs: I always take my eggs out an hour before baking—that way, they mix better and your batter has a smoother texture.
- Don’t Skip Cooling: Cutting too early makes the blondies crumbly; patience here pays off with perfectly neat squares every time.
- Even Spreading Is Key: Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth out the batter evenly so the blondies bake uniformly.
- Watch Your Oven: Every oven bakes a bit differently; start checking 3-5 minutes before the timer to avoid overbaking.
How to Serve Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling flaky sea salt right after they come out of the oven—it’s a simple touch that amplifies the flavors and adds a nice contrasting crunch. Sometimes, for holiday parties, I dust them lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle white chocolate over the top for extra flair. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side also works wonders for an indulgent treat.
Side Dishes
These blondies pair surprisingly well with a warm cup of chai tea or spiced cider—the spices complement each other and make an unbeatable cozy snack. If I’m serving them for dessert, a simple bowl of fresh berries balances the richness, especially in winter when a bright flavor is a welcome contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive occasions, I sometimes cut these blondies into mini squares and serve them on a decorative platter dusted with cinnamon sugar and edible gold glitter. You can even insert small cocktail picks for easy grab-and-go treats. Layering them alongside gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark makes a charming holiday dessert board that guests love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for up to a week, though in my house they never last that long! If you want to maintain that freshly-baked texture, I recommend placing a slice of bread in the container—its moisture helps keep the blondies from drying out.
Freezing
Freezing these blondies works like a charm. I like to cut them into squares first, then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil or a freezer-safe bag. They freeze well for up to 3 months, so it’s great to have some stash for last-minute desserts or gifts. Just thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To reheat, pop a blondie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back some softness and warmth. If you prefer, a brief warm-up in a low oven (around 300°F for 5-7 minutes) helps revive some of that fresh-baked charm without making them hard. I recommend keeping an eye on them to avoid drying out.
FAQs
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Can I use dark molasses in this Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies Recipe?
Yes, dark molasses can be used and it will give a more robust, bittersweet flavor. However, it’s stronger and a bit more bitter than unsulfured molasses, so the blondies might taste a bit different than the classic smooth gingerbread flavor. I usually stick to unsulfured for balanced sweetness.
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Why did my gingerbread blondies turn out dry?
Dry blondies usually mean they were overbaked or overmixed. Keep an eye on the baking time and make sure to pull them out when the center is just slightly jiggly, as explained above. Also, avoid mixing the batter too much once the flour is added.
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Can I make these blondies ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! These blondies actually taste better after they’ve had some time to sit because the flavors meld beautifully. Bake them a day or two ahead, store in an airtight container at room temperature, then cut and serve when ready.
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Can I add other mix-ins besides white chocolate?
Definitely! Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch, dried cranberries bring a tart bite, or you can experiment with dark chocolate chips for a deeper chocolate flavor. Just be cautious about adding too many extras or the blondies might not bake evenly.
Final Thoughts
This Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies Recipe has become one of my go-to treats during the cooler months, and honestly, even outside the holidays because it’s just that comforting and delicious. I’m excited for you to try it and see how those warming spices mingle with the sweet white chocolate in every luscious bite. Give it a shot—you’ll be amazed how easy it is yet how impressive it tastes. Trust me, once you make these, they’re going to be a keeper in your recipe rotation, just like they are in mine!
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Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully spiced gingerbread white chocolate blondies combine warm ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with rich molasses and sweet white chocolate chips. These luscious bars are perfectly chewy with a slightly soft center, topped optionally with flaky sea salt for an elevated flavor contrast.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (254 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 2 sticks (227 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (112 grams) unsulfured molasses
- 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups (255 grams) white chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt, for finishing, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 by 13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the blondies out after baking. If you are using a glass or ceramic pan instead, reduce the oven temperature by 15°F (to 335°F) and increase the baking time by 5 to 10 minutes to compensate.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, fine sea salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for the moment.
- Melt Butter and Combine Sugars: In a small saucepan over medium heat, or using a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, melt the unsalted butter completely. Once melted, add the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses to the butter. Whisk thoroughly until the sugars are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Allow the butter and sugar mixture to cool slightly but remain warm. Then, whisk in the 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk and the pure vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry flour and spice mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined; avoid overmixing to ensure the blondies stay tender.
- Add White Chocolate Chips: Fold in the white chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Spread Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are set and the center is just slightly jiggly when gently shaken, approximately 27 minutes.
- Finish and Cool: If desired, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the warm blondies immediately after taking them out of the oven. Let the blondies cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang. The center may sink slightly as they cool, which is normal.
- Serve and Store: Once fully cooled, cut into 2-inch squares. Store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use metal pans for best baking results; a glass or ceramic pan requires temperature and time adjustments as noted.
- For a more intense gingerbread flavor, you may increase the ground ginger and cinnamon by 1/4 teaspoon each.
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature to help with better mixing and smoother batter.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to prevent tough blondies.
- Flaky sea salt is optional but adds a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the blondies.
- Store blondies at room temperature; refrigeration can dry them out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approximately 2×2 inch square)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg