Gingerbread Blondies

5 from 1 vote
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When it comes to holiday baking, I tend to stick with my family’s classics: Coconut Macaroons, Snickerdoodles, and Russian Tea Cakes. These are the recipes I grew up with, the ones that fill the house with nostalgia and bring everyone to the table. But every now and then, I like to mix things up and try something new to keep things interesting. There’s something about the holiday season that makes me want to experiment with new flavors while still holding onto that comforting holiday spirit. This year, I couldn’t resist testing out these Frosted Gingerbread Blondies. They have just the right amount of spice from the ground ginger and candied ginger, balanced with a sweet, gooey glaze that’s perfect for any festive occasion. These blondies have all the warmth and coziness of traditional gingerbread, but in a rich, fudgy form that will make your holiday spread feel just a little more special.

😍 Why You’ll Love My Gingerbread Blondies

These Gingerbread Blondies are everything you love about the holidays: warm spices, a soft, gooey texture, and just the right amount of sweetness. What makes them even better is that they look like total showstoppers (and taste like it too!) but they’re downright simple to make.

The rich flavor of ground ginger and the zesty bite of candied ginger add layers of warmth, while the sweet glaze ties it all together with a perfect finishing touch. They’re the kind of treat that’s just as comforting straight from the pan as they are served at a holiday gathering. Hosting friends and family or leaving a plate out for Santa, these blondies are sure to add a little extra cheer to your season!

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gingerbread blondies

🗒️ Ingredients

Coconut Sugar: A natural sweetener that brings a rich, caramel-like flavor to balance the spices.

Molasses: Adds depth and a hint of smokiness for that classic gingerbread taste.

Vanilla Extract: A warm, comforting note that enhances all the other flavors.

Eggs: Provide moisture and structure for a perfectly fudgy texture.

Almond Butter: Adds richness and a creamy base that helps bind everything together.

Coconut Oil: A subtle hint of tropical flavor that also contributes to the gooey texture.

Blanched Almond Flour: A gluten-free flour that creates a light, tender crumb.

Coconut Flour: Adds structure and absorbs moisture to keep the blondies soft and chewy.

Ground Ginger: The star spice that gives these blondies their signature warmth and zing.

Baking Soda: Helps the blondies rise and gives them a light texture.

Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.

Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness to top off these treats.

Almond Milk: Adds just enough liquid to achieve the perfect glaze consistency.

Candied Ginger: A sweet and spicy topping that adds a little extra crunch and ginger kick.

👩‍🍳 How to Make My Gingerbread Blondies

🔥 Preheat your oven and grease an 8×8-inch square pan. Line it with parchment paper to make lifting out the blondies easy once they’re done.

🥣 In a medium bowl, whisk together the vanilla, coconut oil, almond butter, and eggs until smooth and well combined.

🥄 Stir in the coconut sugar and molasses, mixing until fully incorporated.

👋🏼 Using a spatula, fold in the almond flour, coconut flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

💛 Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 18-24 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is slightly soft. The blondies should be a little underdone for that perfect gooey texture.

😎 Let the blondies cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.

🥣 While the blondies cool, whisk the powdered sugar and almond milk (or water) together until smooth. Add more liquid if you prefer a thinner glaze.

🫗 Drizzle the glaze over the cooled blondies and sprinkle with chopped candied ginger if desired.

🥳 Slice and enjoy!

🎩 Tips and Tricks

Don’t Overmix: When adding the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in denser blondies.

Underbake for Gooeyness: For that perfect fudgy texture, bake the blondies until the edges are golden and the center is just slightly soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool.

Let Them Cool: Be patient! Let the blondies cool in the pan for about 30 minutes before lifting them out. This helps them firm up without falling apart

Glaze Tip: If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the amount of liquid. For a thinner glaze, add more liquid until you reach your desired consistency.


🤲 Substitutions

  • Coconut Sugar: You can swap this for brown sugar for a similar sweetness and flavor. If you prefer a lighter option, granulated sugar will work as well.
  • Molasses: If you don’t have molasses, maple syrup or honey can be used, though they’ll slightly alter the flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: You can use almond extract for a slightly different twist, or leave it out if you don’t have any on hand.
  • Eggs: For an egg-free version, try using flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) or a chia egg (1 tablespoon chia seeds + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg).
  • Almond Butter: Cashew butter or peanut butter can be used in place of almond butter for a slightly different flavor and texture.
  • Coconut Oil: Olive oil or melted butter are great alternatives to coconut oil if you prefer or need to use something else.
  • Almond Flour: If you’re not following a gluten-free diet, you can substitute with all-purpose flour. However, the texture will be a bit different. If you need a nut-free option, try oat flour.
  • Coconut Flour: If you don’t have coconut flour, you could use more almond flour, but reduce the amount by half since coconut flour is more absorbent.
  • Ground Ginger: If you’re not a fan of ginger, you can use cinnamon or a mix of cinnamon and nutmeg for a different spice profile.
  • Powdered Sugar: If you prefer a sugar-free glaze, you can use powdered monk fruit or powdered erythritol.
  • Almond Milk: Any milk or milk alternative (like oat, coconut, or regular dairy milk) will work for the glaze.

📓 Best served with

  • Hot coffee
  • Spiced tea (chai, cinnamon)
  • Hot chocolate
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Whipped cream

👝 How to Store Extra Gingerbread Blondies

To store your Gingerbread Blondies, allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to a week, but for longer storage, you can freeze them by wrapping the blondies in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to three months in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or heat them up in the microwave for a few seconds for that just-baked warmth!

🧠 Common Questions

Can I substitute the almond butter with a different nut or seed butter?

Yes, you can substitute almond butter with cashew butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter. Keep in mind that the flavor might change slightly, but the texture will remain similar.

Can I use a different type of flour instead of almond flour?

Unfortunately, almond flour is essential for the texture of these blondies, and there is no direct substitute. Coconut flour, which is already part of the recipe, is used for added structure, but substituting all almond flour with coconut flour or another flour may alter the texture and result in a dry outcome.

Is the coconut sugar necessary, or can I use a different sweetener?

You can substitute coconut sugar with brown sugar, which is the recommended alternative. However, other sweeteners like maple sugar or a liquid sweetener like maple syrup might change the texture of the batter, so it’s best to stick with coconut sugar or brown sugar for the best results.

Can I make this recipe without eggs?

Yes, you can use an egg substitute like a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) or chia egg (1 tablespoon chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for a vegan version of the blondies. The texture might be slightly different, but the results should still be delicious!

Can I use a different type of oil instead of coconut oil?

Yes, you can substitute the coconut oil with other oils such as avocado oil or olive oil. However, keep in mind that the coconut oil gives a slight coconut flavor, so substituting may affect the taste slightly.

gingerbread blondies
5 from 1 vote

Gingerbread Blondies

These healthier ginger-flecked, gooey blondies are topped with a sweet glaze to make a perfect holiday party treat or festive night time snack.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Cooling: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 12 blondies

Ingredients 

  • 3/4 cup coconut sugar, can sub brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp molasses, blackstrap is preferred
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
  • 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
  • 1/3 cup coconut flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp almond milk , can sub milk or water
  • 1/4 cup chopped candied ginger, optional, for topping

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Grease a 8×8 inch square pan an d line with parchment paper so you have an overhang on both sides. This isn't necessary, but makes lifting the blondies out easier.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the vanilla, coconut oil, almond butter, and eggs.
  • Add in the coconut sugar and molasses and whisk to combine.
  • Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, add in the flours, ginger, baking soda, and salt and stir to combine.
  • Spread the mixture into the prepared pan, and bake for 18-24 minutes or until the center is slightly soft and edges have started to brown. You want these to be a bit underdone.
  • Let cool on the rack for 30 minutes, then lift out of the pan to allow to cool completely.
  • While the blondies cool, make the glaze by whisking the powdered sugar with the milk or water, starting with 2 Tablespoons and adding more to get the consistency you desire.
  • Drizzle the glaze onto the cooled blondies and top with the chopped candied ginger if using.
  • Serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cooling: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 blondies
Calories: 298
Keyword: bars, blondies, Christmas, gingerbread, Holiday, sweets
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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These are amazing! Cozy, gingery and the perfect way to still have gingerbread on your table without the traditional cookies!