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Dirty Chai Blondies Recipe

4.7 from 93 reviews

These Dirty Chai Blondies combine the warm, spicy flavors of chai tea with rich, buttery blondies swirled with salted caramel and espresso for a truly decadent treat. Topped with a sweet chai glaze infused with black tea and spices, this recipe offers a unique twist on classic blondies that coffee and tea lovers alike will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Blondie Base

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cardamom
  • 3/4 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
  • 3 c. (360 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 c. (430 g) packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Caramel Swirl

  • 1/3 c. store-bought or homemade salted caramel
  • 1 tbsp. espresso powder
  • 1/2 tsp. spice mix (from cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, pepper, cloves)

Chai Glaze

  • 2 bags black tea
  • 2 c. (230 g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 4 tbsp. brewed tea (from steeping black tea bags)
  • 1/2 tsp. spice mix (from cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, pepper, cloves)
  • Additional 1 tbsp. brewed tea (if needed for consistency)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Spray a 13″x9″ baking pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two opposite long sides for easy removal later.
  2. Mix the Spices and Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and cloves to make a spice mix. Transfer 1 tablespoon of this mixture to a medium bowl and add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to mix the light brown sugar and softened unsalted butter until the mixture becomes fluffy and well combined.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, along with the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
  5. Combine the Batter: Add the flour mixture in three parts to the wet ingredients, stirring after each addition until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the blondies tender.
  6. Transfer Batter to Pan: Scoop the blondie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly all the way to the corners.
  7. Prepare and Swirl Caramel Mixture: In a small bowl, stir together the salted caramel, espresso powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of the spice mix until smooth. Dollop the caramel mixture over the blondie batter in the pan. Use a toothpick or the tip of a knife to swirl the caramel into the batter for a marbled effect.
  8. Bake the Blondies: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center is no longer moist but still soft.
  9. Steep the Tea: While the blondies bake, place the black tea bags in a mug or heatproof bowl and pour 8 ounces (1 cup) of boiling water over them. Let steep for 30 minutes to create a concentrated brew for the glaze.
  10. Make Chai Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, 4 tablespoons of the brewed tea, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of spice mix until smooth. Add an additional tablespoon of tea if the glaze is too thick to drizzle.
  11. Cool and Serve: Let the blondies cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Using the parchment overhang, lift the blondies out of the pan and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into squares and drizzle generously with the chai glaze before serving.

Notes

  • You can make homemade salted caramel or use store-bought for convenience.
  • Adjust spices to your preference if you prefer a milder or spicier chai flavor.
  • The espresso powder enhances the coffee notes but can be omitted if desired.
  • Ensure not to overbake the blondies to keep them chewy and moist.
  • Chill the blondies after glazing if you want a firmer texture before serving.

Keywords: chai blondies, dirty chai blondies, salted caramel blondies, espresso powdered blondies, chai glaze, spiced dessert blondies, tea infused dessert