Save A playful, gooey treat blending golden blondie bars, tart cherries, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate chips, finished with a marshmallow swirl and a hint of cherry soda for extra lift. These Smores Cherry Soda Muffin Blondies offer a delicious twist for dessert lovers.
My family adores these blondies for movie nights. The cherry soda makes them extra light and gives an unexpected, fun flavor kids keep asking for.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Baking soda: ½ tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Unsalted butter, melted and cooled: ½ cup (115 g)
- Light brown sugar, packed: 1 cup (200 g)
- Granulated sugar: ⅓ cup (65 g)
- Large eggs, room temperature: 2
- Pure vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Cherry soda (not diet): ⅓ cup (80 ml)
- Pitted cherries, halved (fresh or frozen, thawed and drained): 1 cup (175 g)
- Semisweet chocolate chips: ½ cup (85 g)
- Mini marshmallows: 1 cup (70 g)
- Graham crackers, roughly crushed: 1 cup (100 g)
Instructions
- Prep the pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Combine dry ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until combined and glossy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add soda:
- Pour in cherry soda and mix until smooth.
- Finish batter:
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in mix-ins:
- Fold in cherries, chocolate chips, and half of the graham crackers.
- Layer and top:
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker pieces and mini marshmallows over the top.
- Bake:
- Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until the center is just set and the edges are golden. For gooier bars, bake for less time.
- Cool and serve:
- Cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment and cut into squares to serve.
Save We make these as a weekend treat and share them while sitting around the kitchen table. Sometimes the kids help sprinkle the marshmallows on top for extra fun.
Required Tools
9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk and spatula, parchment paper, knife for cutting.
Allergen Information
Contains: Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (butter, chocolate), soy (chocolate), possible tree nuts (if chocolate chips are processed in facilities). Always confirm with ingredient labels.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 230, Total Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrates: 37 g, Protein: 3 g
Save Serve slightly warm for maximum gooeyness. These blondies taste best with a glass of cold milk or cherry soda.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of cherries work best?
Fresh, pitted cherries add tartness and moisture, but thawed frozen cherries or dried cherries soaked in soda also work well.
- → Can I substitute cherry soda with another beverage?
Cherry soda gives a unique flavor and soft texture, but you may use lemon-lime or vanilla soda for a different twist.
- → How do I achieve the gooey texture?
Bake for less time to keep the bars soft and slightly underbaked in the center, allowing for a chewy, gooey bite.
- → How should I store these blondies?
Once cooled, store blondie squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- → Are these blondies suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, they use vegetarian-friendly ingredients. Always verify marshmallow and chocolate labels for any animal-based additives.
- → Can I add more chocolate?
You can mix in milk chocolate chunks or swirl extra melted chocolate for a sweeter, richer result.