If you’re into Almond Desserts, this Almond Croissant Blondies recipe is your new obsession — think gooey, buttery blondie bars meeting the almond-frangipane magic of a café almond croissant. Ready? Let’s dive in.
## Why Almond Desserts Fans Will Lose It Over These Blondies
This is dessert wizardry: a chewy, brown-sugar blondie base topped with creamy almond frangipane and a scatter of sliced almonds. You get Almond Flavor up front, crunchy texture on top, and that powdered-sugar finish that screams “bakery vibes.” Want almond croissant taste without the croissant drama? This is your shortcut.
Brief introduction to the recipe
You know the feeling when you walk into a bakery and the almond croissant case whispers your name? This recipe captures that exact mood — but in bar form. We take an Almond Blondie base (brown sugar, butter, almond flour) and slather it with a silky frangipane paste — the same filling that usually lives inside an Almond Croissant. Add sliced almonds, bake, dust with powdered sugar, and boom — Dessert Bars that taste like a flaky French pastry, minus the lamination and the tears.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s easy: no croissant folding, no special equipment.
- It’s fast: ready in under an hour from start to finish.
- It’s crowd-pleasing: perfect for holiday platters, coffee dates, or that midnight “I need to Eat Dessert” moment.
- It’s versatile: turn it into a tray bake, cut into squares, or serve with coffee and cream.
Pro tip: If you want extra almond punch, add a splash more almond extract to both the blondie batter and the frangipane. Bold move, totally worth it.
The story behind the recipe
I’m a sucker for almond croissants — but let’s be honest, who has the time (or patience) to make laminated dough on a Tuesday? One day I didn’t have croissants at all, but I had brown sugar, butter, and an unreasonable amount of almond flour. So I decided to combine the best parts: Almond Flavor, buttery chew, and that dreamy frangipane. The result felt like a mashup of an almond croissant and a blondie — essentially a French pastry that’s learned to chill. IMO, it’s better than the original sometimes because it’s portable and less fragile.
Ingredients breakdown (short blurbs)
Below is a quick tour of the ingredients and why each one matters. Scroll to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted works. Butter brings richness and chew.
- Brown sugar: Gives depth and moist chewiness to the blondie base — the darker the sugar, the more caramel notes.
- Granulated sugar: Used primarily in the frangipane to give it structure and sweetness.
- Eggs: One egg in the base and an egg yolk in the frangipane — eggs add structure and silk.
- Vanilla extract & Almond extract: These two together create the unmistakable Almond Flavor that mimics that bakery scent.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the blondie — keeps the bars tender.
- Almond flour: Adds nuttiness and a melt-in-your-mouth crumb — essential for that frangipane quality.
- Salt: Balances sweetness. Don’t skip it.
- Sliced almonds: For crunch and classic almond croissant vibes.
- Powdered sugar: Optional, but it gives the final “bakery dust” look.
- Orange zest (optional): Adds brightness — a little lift to the heavy almond notes if you want it.

Step-by-step — How to make Almond Croissant Blondies
Follow this simple workflow. Exact ingredient measures live in the recipe card below.
- Prep: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and preheat your oven. This ensures neat squares and easy removal.
- Make the blondie base: Cream softened butter with brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Fold in the dry mix (flour, almond flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt) until just combined. Spread into the prepared pan in an even layer.
- Make the frangipane (almond paste): In a medium bowl, cream softened butter with granulated sugar. Add the egg yolk, vanilla, almond extract, and orange zest (if using) then fold in almond flour and a pinch of salt until you have a paste. It should be spreadable.
- Assembly: Dollop the frangipane over the blondie batter in even blobs. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to gently swirl the filling into the top layer — don’t overdo it. Scatter sliced almonds evenly across the top.
- Bake: Pop it into the oven until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake — you want chew.
- Cool completely: Let the bars cool fully in the pan. This helps them set and slice cleanly. Dust with powdered sugar right before serving.
Bold tip: Cool the pan on a wire rack for at least 45 minutes before cutting for the cleanest squares.
Pro tips for perfect results
- Room-temp butter and eggs = easier mixing and a better texture.
- Don’t overmix the batter after adding flour; overworking creates tough bars.
- Brown sugar choice matters: Use darker brown sugar for deeper caramel notes.
- Test early: Oven temps vary — start checking at the earlier bake time. You want edges firm and center slightly soft.
- For cleaner swirls: Dollop the frangipane then swirl gently — heavy stirring will blend it away.
- For more crunch: Toast your sliced almonds lightly for 3–4 minutes before topping. Watch them — they burn fast.
- If you want that croissant “crumb” vibe: Use a touch more butter in the frangipane. Trust me.
Variations to try (because variety = fun)
- Orange-Cardamom Almond Blondies: Add 1 tsp ground cardamom and double the orange zest for a Nordic-inspired twist.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle over cooled squares — yes, do it.
- No-Bake Almond Bar Remix: Turn the frangipane into a no-bake filling and press into a crust for a chilled bar — a nod to No Bake Desserts lovers.
- Almond-Raspberry Swirl: Before baking, add a few teaspoons of raspberry jam and swirl with the frangipane for a tart counterpoint.
- Gluten-free version: Replace all-purpose with a 1:1 GF flour blend and use almond flour as directed.
Best ways to serve these blondies
These bars shine with warm beverages and brunch vibes. Try them with:
- Strong coffee or espresso.
- A cozy London Fog or hot tea.
- Vanilla milk for the kid crowd.
- Plate them with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert-lounge finish.
Ask yourself: cake or bar? These are bars — portable, shareable, and way easier to serve at parties. Perfect for Just Desserts plates when you want fancy without fuss.
Quick storage & leftovers guide
- Room temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Fridge: Keep for up to 1 week. Bring to room temp before serving or microwave a single square for 8–10 seconds to revive gooeyness.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temp for a few hours. Pop a slice in the microwave for 10–12 seconds for a “fresh-baked” feel.
Storage tip: If you plan to freeze, wrap each bar individually first — that way you can grab a single treat and not thaw the whole batch.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do these blondies contain actual croissant dough?
Nope. They don’t have croissant layers. The name comes from the use of frangipane and sliced almonds which replicate the classic Almond Croissant flavor profile.
Can I skip the orange zest?
Absolutely. The orange zest adds brightness, but it’s optional. If you’re not into citrus, skip it — the bars remain so good.
Can I make this into a No Bake Desserts version?
Yes. Create a crunchy almond cookie crust, blend the frangipane into a no-bake filling and chill until set. It won’t be identical, but it’ll be tasty and much faster.
How do I get a more pronounced almond taste?
Add a bit more almond extract to both the base and frangipane. But be careful — almond extract is concentrated; a little goes a long way.
Are these suitable for gifting?
Totally. Cut into neat squares, stack with parchment paper, and tie with twine. They feel upscale—perfect for holiday platters and bake sales.
Variations for special diets (quick notes)
- Vegan-ish: Use vegan butter and an egg substitute (flax egg) and a vegan binder in the frangipane — results may be slightly different in texture, but still delicious.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 GF flour blend. The almond flour already helps the texture remain tender.
- Lower sugar: Reduce granulated sugar in the frangipane slightly; brown sugar in the base is key for chew, so don’t nix it entirely.
Why this feels like a bakery treat (but easier)
This recipe borrows the soul of an Almond Croissant — that nutty frangipane center, the buttery pastry notes, and the almond topping — and translates it into a foolproof tray bake. You get the aromatic Almond Flavor and the crunchy sliced-almond finish without folding, chilling, or professional pastry training. It’s essentially the same indulgence with a much friendlier learning curve.
Quick checklist before you start
- Butter and eggs at room temperature.
- Pan lined with parchment paper.
- Almond flour measured and fresh.
- Sliced almonds ready and (optionally) toasted.
- Oven preheated — don’t be the person who forgets.
FYI: If you want to scale this up, the recipe translates well to a 9×13 pan — just watch the bake time.
Final thoughts wrap-up
If you love Almond Desserts, this recipe practically reads your mind. It’s sweet, nutty, buttery, and slightly fancy without being precious. Perfect for holiday trays, coffee visits, or the midnight “I need to Eat Dessert” emergency. Whether you call them Almond Croissant Blondies, frangipane blondie bars, or the snack that ruined your diet in the best way — they deliver deliciously.
So — will you make them? Grab your bowl, your almond flour, and your inner pastry rebel. These bars are proof that you don’t need laminated dough to get bakery-level wow. Go on, treat yourself or surprise someone. You’ll earn serious cookies (and by cookies I mean Dessert Bars that vanish fast).
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Irresistible Almond Croissant Blondies — The Ultimate Almond Dessert Bar
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 Servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
Think of these as a buttery blondie that borrows all the best bits of an almond croissant: nutty frangipane, toasted almond crunch, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Below is the same recipe, rewritten in fresh wording.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 & 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds (for the top)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Frangipane (almond filling)
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon orange zest (optional — adds brightness)
- 2/3 cup almond flour
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang so you can lift the bars out after baking.
- Make the frangipane (almond paste): In a medium bowl, beat the 4 tablespoons of softened butter with the 1/4 cup granulated sugar until creamy. Stir in the egg yolk, vanilla, almond extract, and orange zest (if using). Fold in the 2/3 cup almond flour and a pinch of salt until a smooth, spreadable paste forms. Set aside.
- Mix the blondie batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 cup packed light brown sugar until they’re combined and a bit fluffy. Add the large egg, the 2 teaspoons vanilla, and the 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; beat until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients: Sprinkle in the 1 & 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/3 cup almond flour, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir gently just until the mixture comes together — don’t overwork it.
- Assemble in the pan: Spread the blondie batter evenly in the prepared pan. Dollop spoonfuls of the frangipane over the top in several places. Using a skewer, butter knife, or offset spatula, swirl the frangipane lightly through the batter to create marbled pockets of almond filling. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup sliced almonds evenly over the surface.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is mostly firm with a few moist crumbs. Oven times vary, so start checking a few minutes early.
- Cool and finish: Remove from the oven and let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, lift the slab out using the parchment overhang and dust the top with powdered sugar. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Notes & tips
- Room-temperature butter and egg mix more evenly and give a better texture.
- Keep mixing to a minimum after adding flour to avoid dense bars.
- Toast the sliced almonds for 2–3 minutes beforehand if you want extra crunch — watch them carefully so they don’t burn.
- If you skip the orange zest, the bars are still classic almond-forward blondies; the zest just adds a bright lift.
- Storage
- Store cooled blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. You can freeze slices in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Rewarm briefly in the microwave (a few seconds) to revive that soft, gooey texture.
Nutrition
- Calories: 256Calories
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg