Last updated on April 10th, 2019

White chocolate cardamom blondies flecked with brown butter and slathered with tart grapefruit cream cheese frosting. And sprinkles, of course.

Back when I detested all things chocolate (I know), I used to tell people that my favorite cookie was “my mom’s chocolate chip cookies, but without the chocolate chips.” What is that then? A cookie? My favorite cookie is just cookies. Crispy-edged, ultra chewy, slightly under-baked cookies made up of about 99.9% with brown sugar and allofthebutter (exaggeration) that smack of butterscotch.

These white chocolate cardamom blondies remind me of my mom’s just cookies in flavor and texture except spiked with cardamom and studded with blissful pockets of pure buttery sweet vanilla bean white chocolate. Then I slathered the whole thing with citrusy grapefruit cream cheese frosting because: citrus season! And sprinkles!

Cardamom is an assertive aromatic spice that’s a bit citrusy and can often overpower a dish. It’s met its match in tart grapefruit cream cheese frosting and the two dance a love song.

Speaking of love song…you know who would love these naturally pale-peach frosted blondies? Your Valentine. And your taste buds. (Don’t hate me for mentioning the V word in January).

I’ll quickly distract you with a baby. This week she learned to stand up and has been fervently practicing her new skill. The only problem? She doesn’t know how to sit down from standing yet. So she stands.

And stands.

Until she whines enough that I help her or the cat knocks her on her bum. I admire her endurance.

That will serve her well as she’s got a long time to wait before she gets to taste these frosted blondies (stay tuned for her refined sugar-free smash cake in the interim).

Let’s chat about these white chocolate cardamom blondies again though. Brown butter adds deep nutty notes, dark brown sugar works its chewy magic, and a bit of granulated cane sugar ensures the surface gets nice and crispy, ready to crack when sliced. Cream cheese frosting with a hefty puff of powdered sugar knocks down grapefruit’s bitter overtones, making a sweet citrus frosting with a floral note that balances the aromatic cardamom blondies just so.

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White Chocolate Cardamom Blondies with Grapefruit Frosting (Gluten-Free)

Name: White Chocolate Cardamom Blondies with Grapefruit Frosting (Gluten-Free)
Yield: 16 bars
Ingredients: ½ cup (122g) packed dark brown sugar; ¼ cup (60g) organic cane sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I use Rodelle Organics); ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter; ¼ cup + 2T (60g) sweet rice flour; ¼ cup + 1T (44g) millet flour; ¼ cup (30g) gluten-free oat flour; 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 large egg; 4 ounces good-quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped; 1/2 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (1-2 large grapefruits); 4-ounces cream cheese, room temperature; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature; 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon grapefruit zest; Pinch of salt; Optional: 1 tablespoon sprinkles!

Yield: 16 bars

Ingredients

Cardamom Blondies

½ cup (122g) packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup (60g) organic cane sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I use Rodelle Organics)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
¼ cup + 2T (60g) sweet rice flour
¼ cup + 1T (44g) millet flour
¼ cup (30g) gluten-free oat flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
4 ounces good-quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped

Grapefruit Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (1-2 large grapefruits)
4-ounces cream cheese, room temperature
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon grapefruit zest
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1 tablespoon sprinkles!

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a the bottom and sides of an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper.
Add the sugars and vanilla extract to the bowl of a stand mixer or, if mixing by hand, a large bowl.
In a small saucepan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep cooking, stirring occasionally until the butter browns. First it will foam up and then smell toasty with little brown flecks. Pour the browned butter over the sugar and stir a couple of times. Let sit for 10 minutes to cool a bit.
Meanwhile, whisk together the sweet rice flour, millet flour, oat flour, cardamom, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Add the egg to the butter/sugar and mix until just combined. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat until just combined. Fold in the white chocolate and mix until evenly distributed.
Dump the dough into the prepared baking pan and use a spatula to spread into an even layer. Bake for 22-24 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the top is just set, but still soft. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a minute or two before carefully using the parchment paper to transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Meanwhile, prepare the frosting. Heat the grapefruit juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Let cool.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter by beating over medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the cream cheese and beat until combined. Add about half of the powdered sugar mixing on low speed until combined. Add the vanilla and reduced grapefruit syrup, and beat on medium speed until smooth. (It will seem very wet like it won't incorporate, but it will!). Add the remaining powdered sugar and beat until combined. Fold in the grapefruit zest and salt.
When the blondies are completely cool, spread the frosting over the top and use an offset spatula to create an even surface of frosting. Add sprinkles to your heart's desire. Slice into 16 bars and serve!

Notes

Blondies adapted from Averie Cooks.

17 Comments

Karlie -
January 11, 2017 at 3:21 am

These look AMAZING! I love the flavor profile. So creative

Abby @ Heart of a Baker -
January 11, 2017 at 6:17 am

Grapefruit frosting? YES. Also, you’re brilliant for combining citrus with white chocolate, what a match made in heaven. Hooray for the babe standing up, she’s growing so fast!

christine desroches -
January 11, 2017 at 7:56 am

Your stories always make me smile, Sarah. I also used to dislike chocolate as a kid! I eventually came around to chocolate ice cream cones, and now love it (of course) but I can totally appreciate liking “just cookies”. White chocolate though, I’ve always been a fan. I’ve gotta try this grapefruit and white chocolate combination! And cardamom is always my favourite so…. you’ve basically made the perfect treat for me!

- Sarah Menanix -
  January 11, 2017 at 10:48 am
  
  Aw Thanks Christine! I’m so glad I’m not the only crazy person who didn’t like chocolate as a kid! I also don’t drink coffee and I think somehow they’re related…
  
Joyce @ Sun Diego Eats -
January 11, 2017 at 10:03 am

Sarah the flavours in this blondie are a DREAM!! And um, I totally get the chocolate chip cookies without chocolate thing, whenever I make them I always make two that have less chocolate chips because I love chocolate-less(ish) chocolate chip cookie!

P.S. Wahh that is such a cute story. At least she got the hard part down.

- Sarah Menanix -
  January 11, 2017 at 10:49 am
  
  Haha – you get me. Make 2 more chocolate chip-less cookies for me and I’ll come over:)
  
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
January 11, 2017 at 11:41 am

Those white chocolate chunks! You’re killin me!!

- Sarah Menanix -
  January 11, 2017 at 11:22 pm
  
  I would share but I had to send them all to work with Lucas because I was eating one “for dessert” every time I passed the kitchen!!
  
Allyson (Considering The Radish) -
January 12, 2017 at 9:04 am

Grapefruit and cardamom and white chocolate, oh my! These look stunning- perfect for winter. I’m not really a blondie person (I’ve never in my life ever disliked chocolate) but the flavors you chose with these are so good that I have to try them.

Sarah | Well and Full -
January 12, 2017 at 10:54 am

YESSS former chocolate dislikers unite!! ;) I’m back on the chocolate train now, though, and these blondies are calling my name. (P.S. I think I have the same sprinkles – did you get yours at Whole Foods?? :) )

Carla -
January 19, 2017 at 5:51 pm

Two words: GRAPEFRUIT FROSTING. YESSSSSS. (I’m not touching that whole not-liking-chocolate thing. There’s no need to be so disappointed with Tiny Baby Sarah. BUT, REALLY.)

Ruby -
January 26, 2017 at 3:38 am

Whoaaa girl these flavors are mind blowing! Most creative blondie recipe I’ve seen for sure. I’ve got to give these a try :) xo

Ai @Ai made it for you -
February 2, 2017 at 5:19 am

Mmmm grapefruit and cardamom sound like an amazing combo! And your photos are GORGEOUS!

Tanya -
February 5, 2017 at 6:32 pm

These look delicious! I can’t wait to try them! I’m wondering whether I could make them with regular flour instead of the other flours, and if so how much to use. Thanks so much!

- Sarah Menanix -
  February 6, 2017 at 11:44 am
  
  Although I haven’t tried it with all purpose flour, the recipe I adapted the base from uses 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, so I’m certain it will work to replace the sweet rice, oat, and millet flours with all purpose flour!
  
Emma -
February 19, 2017 at 6:14 am

These look absolutely delicious. Added to the baking list! x

Claire | Sporckly -
October 10, 2017 at 9:55 am

These look so amazing!! I’m going to have to try these with a few vegan switches. They may not turn our as great but I need these blondies in my life ;)

White Chocolate Cardamom Blondies with Grapefruit Frosting (gluten-free)

White Chocolate Cardamom Blondies with Grapefruit Frosting (Gluten-Free)