French Blondies

Name: French Blondies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12 blondies
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups sugar; 1-1/2 tablespoons grated grapefruit zest; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 3 large eggs, room temperature; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon lemon extract; 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; GLAZE AND TOPPING:; 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar; 1 tablespoon pink grapefruit juice; 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon elderflower liqueur; Grapefruit zest, candied grapefruit peel or edible glitter, for garnish, optional

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Yield 12 blondies

Test Kitchen Approved

These French blondies are inspired by Taylor Swift's favorite cocktail, the French Blonde. Just like the drink, they're infused with grapefruit, lemon and elderflower.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons grated grapefruit zest
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
GLAZE AND TOPPING:
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon pink grapefruit juice
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon elderflower liqueur
Grapefruit zest, candied grapefruit peel or edible glitter, for garnish, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8-in. square baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Combine sugar and grapefruit zest in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Rub zest into the sugar to release essential oils. Add melted butter; beat at medium speed until smooth, 2-3 minutes. Beat in eggs, vanilla extract and lemon extract on medium speed until pale in color, 1-2 minutes.
Add flour, baking powder and salt; mix until just combined and no dry patches remain, 1-2 minutes.
Transfer batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake 23-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove; let cool completely.
Meanwhile, to prepare the glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, grapefruit juice, lemon juice and liqueur until smooth. Pour over cooled brownies; spread into an even layer. Garnish with grapefruit zest, candied grapefruit peel or edible glitter, if desired. Allow glaze to set completely, at least 30 minutes. Cut into squares to serve.

Nutrition Facts

1 blondie: 307 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 138mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.