Dirty Chai Blondies Recipe
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.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 blondie squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, along with the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- 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.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Scoop the blondie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly all the way to the corners.
- 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.
- Bake the Blondies: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center is no longer moist but still soft.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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