Decadent Brownie & Blondie Recipes for Every Craving

From rich, fudgy squares to buttery, golden bars, brownies and blondies are simple to make, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly versatile. These brownie and blondie recipes from McCormick® celebrate everything you love about home baking: the warm aroma of chocolate and vanilla, the glossy crackle of a freshly baked top, and the joy of sharing a pan with people you love.

Whether you’re craving deep chocolate indulgence, cozy spiced sweetness, or a creative twist that bridges the two, this collection has something for every baker.

Classic Chocolate Brownies

There’s no wrong time for a brownie. These chocolate-favorites range from easy weeknight treats to impressive shareable desserts, all made better with a splash of McCormick extracts.

Easy Chocolate Almond Brownies

When you need a dessert that feels homemade but takes just minutes to prepare, this recipe is your go-to. A simple boxed brownie mix becomes bakery-worthy with the addition of McCormick Pure Almond Extract — a small touch that brings a nutty sweetness to balance rich cocoa flavor. A handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips melts right into the batter, creating ribbons of velvety chocolate throughout.

Once baked and cooled, a quick almond-infused chocolate frosting takes these brownies from simple to spectacular. The frosting adds a smooth, glossy finish that complements the dense texture below. The result is a brownie that’s rich and decadent without feeling overdone — perfect for potlucks, holidays, or late-night chocolate cravings.

Eggless Brownies

This egg-free version proves you don’t have to sacrifice texture or flavor to make an amazing brownie. Ground flaxseed and water stand in for eggs, creating a batter that bakes up moist, chewy, and full of that deep chocolate flavor brownie lovers crave. McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract enhances the cocoa’s richness and adds the warm, familiar aroma that makes these brownies feel classic.

Once cooled, you can top them with a swirl of frosting or go dairy-free with a vegan buttercream made from McCormick Vanilla Extract and Thai Kitchen® Coconut Milk. The brownies hold their shape beautifully while staying fudgy in the center, with that perfect crackled surface on top. It’s a simple, reliable recipe that turns out perfectly every time — ideal for families, bake sales, or anyone who loves a good shortcut that still tastes homemade.

Test Kitchen Tip: Customize your frosting with McCormick extracts. Try Vanilla for balance, Raspberry for a fruity pop, or Orange for a subtle citrus note that complements chocolate beautifully.

Zucchini Brownies

For a dessert that surprises in the best way, look no further than zucchini brownies. Finely shredded zucchini blends right into the batter, adding natural moisture for an ultra-fudgy texture without changing the taste. McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract further enhances the flavor, balancing sweetness with smooth, round notes that make every bite satisfying.

While the batter may seem thick at first, the zucchini works its magic as it bakes, creating soft, rich squares with pools of melted chocolate chips throughout. The edges bake slightly chewy, while the centers stay soft and decadent. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic pairing or let them cool completely for a dense, brownie-bar texture that holds up beautifully on a dessert tray.

Blondies: Brownies' Golden Counterpart

Light in color but every bit as flavorful, blondies offer a buttery, caramel-like sweetness that makes them a favorite for any occasion. These recipes showcase how simple ingredients — brown sugar, vanilla, and spice — come together for a dessert that’s comforting yet full of personality.

Cinnamon Blondies

These golden-brown bars are the definition of cozy. McCormick Ground Cinnamon infuses the batter with subtle spice and warmth, giving each bite a soft, aromatic sweetness. A mix of mini chocolate chips and chopped pecans adds texture —melting just enough to create tiny pockets of richness, while the nuts bring a satisfying crunch.

The batter comes together quickly with pantry staples including McCormick® All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract, making this a go-to recipe for weekday baking, school lunches, or last-minute gatherings. Bake until the edges are lightly crisp and the center is just set, then cool before cutting into neat, chewy squares. With their comforting flavor and hint of spice, these blondies taste like fall — no matter what time of year you make them.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Blondies

You’d never guess these chewy, golden blondies are gluten-free. A smart blend of sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and cornstarch creates a tender crumb that mimics traditional all-purpose flour, while McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract ties it all together with classic flavor.

Melted butter and brown sugar form the base, creating a caramel-like taste blondie lovers adore. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are tossed in a bit of cornstarch to keep them evenly distributed and perfectly melty once baked. The result is a pan of soft, chewy bars with perfectly crisped edges. No special ingredients required, just simple baking magic that everyone can enjoy.

Spiced Butter Rum Blondies

Inspired by the classic holiday drink, these blondies blend the comforting sweetness of brown sugar, McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract, and the warm aroma of McCormick Rum Extract. A touch of McCormick Ground Nutmeg adds gentle spice, while chopped walnuts bring crunch and balance to every bite.

The batter bakes into soft, buttery bars with a glossy top and perfectly chewy edges. Serve them as part of a cookie swap, pack them into holiday tins, or enjoy them with coffee on a chilly afternoon. Their rich, buttery flavor and spiced aroma make them feel festive year-round — a true crowd-pleaser for bakers and tasters alike.

When Brownies and Cookies Meet

Sometimes you don’t want to choose between fudgy and chewy — and with this mash-up recipe, you don’t have to.

Chocolate Orange Crownies

This show-stopping dessert combines two beloved classics: a layer of rich, fudgy brownie topped with chocolate-chip cookie dough. McCormick® All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract combines with McCormick Pure Orange Extract for a warm citrus twist that complements the deep chocolate flavor, giving these bars an unexpected yet perfectly balanced edge.

As they bake, the brownie layer sets into a dense, chocolatey base while the cookie layer turns golden and crisp on top. The combination of textures — soft and gooey below, lightly crisp above — makes every bite feel indulgent and fun. Perfect for special occasions, bake sales, or anytime you want to impress, these crownies are the definition of dessert done right.

Brownie & Blondie Baking Tips

• Line your pan. Parchment or foil makes for easy lifting and clean edges every time.
• Know your texture. For fudgy brownies, bake until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. For cakier ones, add a few extra minutes.
• Let them cool (really). Cutting too early can ruin those perfect squares — patience pays off.
• Upgrade your flavor. McCormick® Vanilla, Almond, and Rum Extracts add signature depth to every batch.

The Sweetest Endings

From fudgy brownies to golden blondies, every pan in this collection brings something a little different — a new flavor, a familiar comfort, a chance to create and share. With McCormick® flavor leading the way, even simple desserts become something special.

So, bake for the people you love. Bake for the joy of it. Bake your heart out — one pan at a time.