These Strawberry & Lime White Chocolate Blondies are so simple to throw together and have a fabulously unique flavor and chewy texture the whole family will love.
How to Get Real Strawberry Flavor
I have to tell you that I am a huge, HUGE fan of any and all strawberry flavored baked goods. But it wasn't until very recently that I discovered that the majority of my favorite strawberry cake and cupcake recipes relied solely on artificial strawberry flavor and red food dye. Say what!?
So I set out to transform some of my strawberry favorites using more natural ingredients. Unfortunately with fresh strawberries having such a high water content, simply replacing the artificial flavors (often in the form of strawberry jello) was not really an option. Hence, the addition of.... freeze dried strawberries!
Freeze dried strawberries pack a huge punch of strawberry flavor without all the added moisture. And they work perfectly alongside lime and white chocolate in this deliciously fresh summer blondie!
Equipment Needed
You will need 2 mixing bowls, an electric hand mixer or stand mixer and a 9 x 12 inch baking pan.
Ingredients:
- Freeze Dried Strawberries: You can find these at most grocery stores but I typically get mine from Whole Foods or through Amazon. Make sure that you get freeze-dried and not just dehydrated strawberries as the freeze dried option is much more crisp.
- Fresh Limes: You will be using the zest so organic is best and make sure to wash the skin well.
- White Chocolate Chips: I love Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips!
- All-Purpose Flour
- White Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar: I typically use light brown sugar, but dark brown will work too in a pinch. Just expect a slightly richer flavor.
- Butter: I typically use salted butter in my baking recipes. However, unsalted works fine. Just add a larger pinch of salt to the flour mixture.
- Vanilla Extract
- Eggs: Room temperature is ideal.
- Baking Powder
- Powdered Sugar
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Strawberry & Lime White Chocolate Blondies
Don't skip the step of pinching the lime zest into the sugar before adding the other ingredients. This really activates the zest and infuses the sugar with lime flavor.
Err on the side of under-baking these blondies as they will continue to cook some in the pan while cooling.
Be sure to let the blondies cool before icing. Sprinkle the crushed freeze dried strawberries immediately after icing so that they stick to the top of the blondies.
More Dessert Recipes for you to love!
Made this recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Strawberry & Lime White Chocolate Blondies
The Strawberry & Lime White Chocolate Blondies pack a big punch of flavor for a fresh and unique summer blondie the whole family will love.
15
servings5
minutes25
minutesIngredients
- For the Blondies
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup white granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
1 lime zested & juiced
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup white chocolate chips
½ cups freeze dried strawberries, roughly crushed (but not powdered)
- For the Glaze & Topping
1 small lime, zested & juiced
½ cup powdered sugar
roughly crushed, freeze dried strawberries (for sprinkling on top)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. (You can use parchment paper to line the bottom if desired.)
In a medium size mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside. - In a medium mixing bowl of the bowl of a stand mixer combine white sugar, brown sugar and the zest of one lime. Use your fingers to pinch the zest into the sugar until it is fragrant and the oils have released.
Add in butter and beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add in eggs one at a time while mixing on medium and then add in vanilla extract and the juice of 1 lime. Mix for about a minute until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed. - Add about half of the flour mixture to the wet mixture and beat until just combined. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat until just combined. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Add in white chocolate chips and freeze dried strawberries. Mix for 3-5 seconds being careful not to overwork. You may need to mix some by hand to ensure sure they are evenly distributed. - Pour mixture into the prepared baking pan and use a spoon to spread the mixture evenly in the pan. It will be quite thick.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 21-24 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes in the pan. Then transfer the blondies to a wire wrack to let cool. - Once the blondies have cooled to a little warmer than room temperature, make the glaze by combining the zest and juice of 1 small lime with about ½ cup of powdered sugar. Stir well until there are no lumps.
Drizzle the glaze over the top of the blondies then sprinkle with a few crushed freeze dried strawberries.
Cut into 15 pieces and serve. Enjoy!
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These look so delicious-- the pictures look so amazing too!! 😀
I'm craving something sweet now XD.
Thank you!