Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies

Soft, chewy, gooey, and full of cherries and melty chocolate chips.

Hey there!

Let me introduce you to your new favorite bar dessert: Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies. These are everything you love about a classic blondie—sweet, buttery, a little caramel-y—but we’re loading them up with juicy cherries and chocolate chips. The combo is so good, it’s like a chocolate-covered cherry in blondie form.

It’s a one-bowl recipe, no mixer needed, and comes together super fast. Let’s bake.

🍒 Servings & Time

• Servings: 12 bars
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 25–28 minutes
• Total Time: About 45 minutes

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

This recipe came out of a moment of “what can I do with these leftover cherries and half a bag of chocolate chips?” And wow—I wasn’t expecting them to be this good. The blondie base is buttery and rich, and the cherry-chocolate combo adds little pockets of sweetness and tartness in every bite.

• One bowl, no mess
• Cherries stay juicy and vibrant
• Perfect combo of chewy and gooey
• They freeze well for later
• Fancy flavor with barely any work

🔬 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)

• Brown sugar keeps the blondies moist and chewy
• Melted butter = rich texture and easy mixing
• Eggs bind everything and help it rise slightly
• Tossing the cherries in flour helps keep them from sinking
• Chocolate chips melt into the batter for those perfect gooey bits

🧠 Meal Plan Ideas

• Bake a pan and portion out for dessert all week
• Bring to potlucks, picnics, or casual dinner parties
• Freeze slices and reheat for emergency sweet cravings
• Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream for dessert

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overbaking – they’ll turn dry instead of chewy
• Using wet cherries – pat them dry or the bars will be soggy
• Skipping parchment paper – makes them hard to lift and slice cleanly
• Overmixing the batter – leads to tough texture

🍽 What You’ll Need

Dry:

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet:

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins:

• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
• ½ tablespoon flour (for tossing the cherries)
• ½ cup chocolate chips

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk and spatula
• 8×8-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board (for cherries)

🔁 Substitutions & Variations

• Cherries: Use frozen (thawed and drained) or dried cherries
• Chocolate chips: Use dark, milk, or white chocolate
• Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
• Make it gluten-free: Use a 1:1 GF flour blend

⏳ Make-Ahead Tips

• Make and freeze the whole batch—wrap slices individually
• Store baked blondies at room temp for 2–3 days or refrigerate for up to a week
• Prep your cherries ahead and keep them pitted in the fridge

👣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Melt butter and mix with sugar

In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until glossy and smooth.

Step 2: Add egg and vanilla

Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients

Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until no streaks remain.

Step 4: Prep and fold in cherries

Toss the chopped cherries with ½ tablespoon flour. Fold them into the batter along with the chocolate chips.

Step 5: Pour into pan

Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment. Pour the batter in and spread evenly to the edges.

Step 6: Bake

Bake at 350°F for 25–28 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay!).

Step 7: Cool and slice

Let blondies cool in the pan for at least 15–20 minutes before slicing into squares.

🧊 Leftovers & Storage Tips

• Store blondies in an airtight container at room temp for 2–3 days
• Refrigerate for up to 1 week
• Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months
• Reheat in microwave for 10–15 seconds for that gooey chocolate again

🔢 Exact Macros (Per blondie, based on 12 servings)

• Calories: 210
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbs: 29g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 18g

☕ What to Serve With

• A scoop of vanilla or cherry ice cream
• Hot coffee or a latte
• A glass of cold milk
• A drizzle of chocolate or cherry syrup
• Fresh cherries on the side for extra flair

❓ FAQ

Can I use frozen cherries?
Yep! Just thaw them and pat them dry before using.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free butter substitute and dairy-free chocolate chips.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes—bake in a 9×13 pan and increase bake time to 30–35 minutes.

Can I use a different fruit?
Absolutely! Try raspberries, blueberries, or even dried cranberries.

Get Ready for a Gooey Good Time 🍒🍫

These Cherry Chocolate Chip Blondies are simple, sweet, and seriously satisfying. Whether you bake them for a get-together or just want something extra with your coffee, they hit the spot every time. Give them a go and let me know how they turned out—or what twist you tried! 💬🍪