Description

Spiced Sweet Tea Cheesecake Blondies are a delightful fusion of rich blondie base infused with aromatic spiced sweet tea, layered with a smooth and tangy cheesecake swirl. This dessert harmoniously blends warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and lemon zest with creamy cheesecake, creating a unique and flavorful treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Spiced Sweet Tea

1 cup water
2 black tea bags
1 cinnamon stick
3 whole cloves
1 strip lemon zest

Blondie Base

1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons brewed spiced sweet tea, cooled
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cheesecake Swirl

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons brewed spiced sweet tea, cooled
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

Prepare Spiced Sweet Tea: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the black tea bags, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and a strip of lemon zest. Remove from heat and let steep for eight minutes. Then remove the tea bags and strain the liquid, discarding the spices and zest. Let the brewed tea cool completely before using.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring some overhang on the sides for easy removal of the blondies after baking.
Mix Blondie Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, packed light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of the cooled brewed spiced sweet tea. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing. Spread about two-thirds of this batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Prepare Cheesecake Swirl: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add in the granulated sugar, egg, 2 tablespoons of brewed spiced sweet tea, and lemon juice, beating until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
Layer and Marble: Spoon dollops of the cheesecake mixture over the blondie base in the pan. Then, drop spoonfuls of the remaining blondie batter on top of the cheesecake. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the layers together to create a marbled effect throughout the blondies.
Bake Blondies: Bake in the preheated oven for 38 to 42 minutes, or until the center is just set and the edges turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment overhang. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

Do not overmix the blondie batter once the flour is added to ensure tender blondies.
Allow the blondies to cool completely to set properly before slicing for clean edges.
The spiced sweet tea adds a unique aromatic flavor; feel free to adjust the number of cloves or cinnamon stick to your taste preference.
Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth cheesecake swirl without lumps.
Store blondies in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Spiced Sweet Tea Blondies, Cheesecake Blondies, Tea Infused Dessert, Spiced Blondies, Cheesecake Swirl, Baked Dessert