When the air turns crisp and leaves tumble, there’s nothing quite like biting into a chewy blondie that smells like caramel, maple and toasted nuts. These blondies capture that moment — a buttery-vegan base kissed with maple syrup, studded with tart dried cranberries, and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. They’re festive, indulgent yet approachable, and built to live on your holiday dessert table or your cozy Sunday afternoon.
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect for sharing, gifting or winter snacking
Chewy + gooey with golden edges
Maple-sweet and cranberry-tart — holiday flavour in every bite
100% vegan and dairy-free
Simple ingredients, ready in under an hour
🔥 Inspiration & Background
Blondies often get overshadowed by brownies — but this version flips the script for holiday baking. With maple syrup and brown-butter flavour, plus festive cranberries, these blondies feel seasonal and special. They’ll be the dessert everyone saves on Pinterest and comes back for.
🍬 Maple Brown Butter Cranberry Blondies (Vegan Holiday Dessert)
Description
These Maple Brown Butter Cranberry Blondies boast a rich brown-butter-style flavour (vegan butter) fused with sweet maple syrup and tart dried cranberries. Ideal for fall and winter — they bring holiday cheer from Thanksgiving straight into Christmas.
Ingredients
For the Blondies:
Instructions
Preheat & Prepare
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Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line an 8×8” pan with parchment paper, leaving extra on the sides for easy lifting.
Mix Dry Ingredients
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Combine Wet Ingredients
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In another bowl, whisk melted vegan butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla until glossy and smooth.
Combine & Fold
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Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in cranberries and nuts if using.
Bake
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Spread batter evenly into the pan and bake 22–25 minutes or until edges are golden and centre slightly soft.
Cool & Slice
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Let blondies cool completely in pan before slicing into squares. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple glaze if desired.
Note
💡 Tips
- Slightly under-bake for gooier texture.
- Add a sprinkle of flaky salt before baking for balance.
- For more holiday flair: mix in orange zest or white vegan chocolate chips.
Make-Ahead Magic: Bake, cool, and freeze. Warm in the oven when ready to serve.
Serving Idea: Pair with vegan ice cream or drizzle with maple glaze.
Storage: Keeps 4 days at room temp or 2 months frozen.
