Bourbon Salted Caramel Red Walnut Blondies

Red walnuts add a vivid pop of color to these decadent bourbon-spiked blondies drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with smoked salt.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 43 mins
• Total Time: 58 mins
• Calories: 247 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon bourbon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup bourbon
• cooking spray
• ½ cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• ¾ cup red walnuts (such as Sanguinetti™)
• ½ cup soft caramel candies
• ⅓ cup soft caramel candies
• 1 teaspoon smoked sea salt (such as Maldon®) (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread walnuts onto a baking sheet.

Step 2

Toast walnuts in the preheated oven until golden brown and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Chop coarsely.

Step 3

Combine brown sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in 1/4 cup bourbon, egg, and vanilla extract until batter just combined. Fold in flour, 1/2 cup caramel candies, and salt.

Step 4

Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Spread batter evenly in the pan.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool, about 15 minutes.

Step 6

Heat 1/3 cup caramel candies in a double boiler over medium-high heat until soft and malleable, about 5 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and 1 tablespoon bourbon; stir constantly until combined. Remove from heat and cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 7

Drizzle or spread caramel sauce over the cooled blondies. Scatter chopped walnuts on top. Sprinkle smoked salt over walnuts.