Spiced Sweet Tea Cheesecake Blondies (Printable)
Tender blondie bars swirl with spiced tea and cheesecake, finished with citrus and a luscious crumb.
# What You Need:
→ Spiced Sweet Tea
01 - 1 cup water
02 - 2 black tea bags
03 - 1 cinnamon stick
04 - 3 whole cloves
05 - 1 strip lemon zest
→ Blondie Base
06 - 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
08 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
11 - 2 tablespoons brewed spiced sweet tea, cooled
12 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
13 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Cheesecake Swirl
15 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
17 - 1 large egg
18 - 2 tablespoons brewed spiced sweet tea, cooled
19 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
# Directions:
01 - Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add tea bags, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and lemon zest. Remove from the heat and allow to steep for 8 minutes. Remove tea bags and strain; let cool completely and discard the spices and zest.
02 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring an overhang for easy removal.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, packed light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and cooled spiced sweet tea; whisk evenly. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix. Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
04 - Beat softened cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth. Add granulated sugar, egg, brewed spiced sweet tea, and lemon juice; continue beating until creamy and free of lumps.
05 - Dollop cheesecake mixture over the blondie base. Spoon remaining blondie batter in small mounds over the cheesecake layer. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the mixtures together to create a marbled appearance.
06 - Bake for 38 to 42 minutes, or until the center is just set and edges are golden brown.
07 - Allow to cool completely in the pan. For neat cuts, use a sharp knife to slice into squares after cooling.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Unique blend of spiced sweet tea and cheesecake flavors
- Perfectly tender crumb with a marbled, beautiful presentation
02 -
- Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and milk (dairy); check labels if you have sensitivities
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days for best freshness
03 -
- For a more pronounced tea flavor, steep tea bags a few extra minutes or add another bag
- Add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to spice up the flavor profile