STEP 1: Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the blondies bake evenly and get that golden brown crust we all love. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, or grease it lightly with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

STEP 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves (if using). This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter and helps avoid clumps of baking powder or spices. Set this mixture aside for now.

STEP 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This process should take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. The creaming of the butter and sugar is essential for achieving a soft and tender blondie.

Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures the eggs are fully incorporated, which is key to the texture of the blondies.

STEP 4: Add the Wet Ingredients

Stir in the eggnog and vanilla extract. The eggnog adds moisture and the characteristic holiday flavor that makes these blondies so special. Beat the mixture until smooth and fully combined.

STEP 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or mixing spoon. Be careful not to overmix—just stir until the flour is fully incorporated, and you have a smooth batter. Overmixing can result in dense blondies, and nobody wants that!

STEP 6: Bake the Blondies

Pour the batter into your prepared 9×9-inch baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Smooth the top so the blondies bake evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the blondies to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 7: Make the Glaze (Optional)

While the blondies are cooling, you can prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, eggnog, vanilla extract, and a pinch of nutmeg. The glaze should have a smooth consistency—if it’s too thick, add a little more eggnog; if it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.

Once the blondies have cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over the top. The glaze will add an extra layer of sweetness and flavor, making these blondies even more irresistible.

STEP 8: Slice and Serve

Once the glaze has set, slice the blondies into squares or rectangles. Serve them on a platter, and enjoy! These blondies are perfect on their own or served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.