Apple Blondies Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that perfectly balances sweet, tender, and just a hint of spice, these delightful Apple Blondies are about to become your new favorite treat. Imagine biting into a chewy, buttery blondie packed with juicy, tart apple chunks and a sprinkle of warm cinnamon sugar on top—each bite bursting with comforting autumn flavors and a satisfying texture. Apple Blondies combine the rich sweetness of classic blondies with fresh diced apples and optional walnuts, making them an irresistible crowd-pleaser any time of year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for Apple Blondies is refreshingly simple, but every item plays a vital role in crafting that perfect texture and flavor blend. From the creamy butter to the crisp apples and a pinch of cinnamon, each component comes together to create irresistible goodness.
- Butter, 3/4 cup melted: Adds richness and moisture that keep the blondies soft and tender.
- Brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups packed: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness essential for blondies.
- White sugar, 1 1/2 cups: Balances sweetness and helps with structure.
- Eggs, 3: Bind everything together and contribute to the blondies’ dense yet chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract, 3 teaspoons: Brings warmth and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Ground cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon: Infuses that cozy spice taste that pairs perfectly with apples.
- Salt, 3/4 teaspoon: Accentuates the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Baking powder, 3 teaspoons: Helps the blondies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
- All-purpose flour, 3 cups: The foundation that gives structure and chew.
- Apples, 3 cups diced: Fresh, tart apples like Granny Smith add juiciness and a refreshing contrast.
- Chopped walnuts, 1 cup (optional): Adds crunch and nutty flavor that complements the softness.
- Sugar for topping, 1 tablespoon white sugar: Creates a sweet, slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar crust on top.
- Cinnamon for topping, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Sprinkled on top to elevate the smell and taste.
How to Make Apple Blondies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Start off by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit—this sets the perfect temperature for baking blondies that are golden but soft in the center. Next, lightly grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray so the blondies release easily once baked.
Step 2: Mix the Sugars and Butter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the brown sugar and half of the white sugar (1 1/2 cups). This mixture creates the foundational rich sweetness and moisture essential for your blondie batter.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Beat in the eggs one by one, followed by the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Mixing these ingredients thoroughly ensures your blondies have that signature warming spice and a lovely rise during baking.
Step 4: Incorporate the Flour
Gradually add the flour to the wet mixture, mixing gently but completely. Your batter will feel quite thick here—don’t worry, that’s exactly what you want for dense, chewy Apple Blondies.
Step 5: Fold in Apples and Nuts
Now comes the fun part—adding the diced apples and walnuts if you like. These not only add bursts of fresh flavor but also a pleasing texture contrast. Once folded in, your batter should loosen slightly, making it easier to spread.
Step 6: Spread and Add Topping
Evenly spread the thick batter into the prepared casserole dish. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of white sugar with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, then sprinkle this fragrant topping evenly over the batter. This final touch will create a lovely cinnamon-sugar crust while baking.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the blondies are set with that perfect chewy consistency akin to brownies. Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
How to Serve Apple Blondies
Garnishes
To showcase your Apple Blondies, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence. A few thin apple slices on top can also echo the fruity flavor in a beautiful way.
Side Dishes
Apple Blondies taste simply heavenly on their own but pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream takes them to a whole new level. A warm cup of cinnamon-spiced tea or coffee makes a perfect companion too.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, cut the blondies into bite-sized squares and serve on a platter with toothpicks for easy sharing. You can also transform them into a layered dessert by crumbling over Greek yogurt or pudding and topping with chopped nuts and more cinnamon sugar.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Apple Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For slightly longer storage, keeping them in the fridge will help preserve freshness for about a week without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of time, Apple Blondies freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To revive your blondies’ moist, soft texture, warm individual pieces in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. You can also pop them in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes to freshen the cinnamon-sugar crust.
FAQs
Can I substitute the walnuts?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of walnuts or have allergies, you can swap them for pecans, almonds, or simply leave nuts out altogether. The blondies will still be deliciously moist and flavorful.
What kind of apple is best for Apple Blondies?
A tart baking apple like Granny Smith is ideal because it holds its shape during baking and adds a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the blondies.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour to replace all-purpose flour. Just make sure your baking powder is gluten-free for best results.
Why does the batter get thick before adding apples?
The flour and butter-sugar eggs mixture form a dense batter at first, which is typical for blondies. Adding the apples releases some moisture, thinning the batter slightly and adding juicy texture.
Can I add more spices to the recipe?
Feel free to enhance the Apple Blondies by adding a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or allspice along with the cinnamon for a deeper autumn flavor palette.
Final Thoughts
These Apple Blondies are a wonderful way to celebrate the cozy flavors of fall or simply indulge your craving for a sweet, comforting treat. I promise once you try them, you’ll find countless excuses to bake these again and again. So, grab your ingredients, turn on some good music, and enjoy the warm, fruity magic of Apple Blondies!
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Apple Blondies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Apple Blondies combine the rich flavors of buttery blondie batter with tart diced apples and warm cinnamon, creating a moist, chewy treat perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack. This recipe includes optional walnuts for added crunch and a cinnamon sugar topping for extra sweetness and spice.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 3 eggs
- 3 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sugars
- 1 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 Tablespoon white sugar (for topping)
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
Fruits & Nuts
- 3 cups apples, diced (preferably tart baking apples like Granny Smith)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Prepare Pan: Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with the brown sugar and 1 1/2 cups of white sugar, mixing until well blended.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, salt, and baking powder until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour. The batter will be thick at this stage; this is normal, so don’t worry about the texture.
- Add Apples and Walnuts: Fold in the diced apples and chopped walnuts (if using). The batter should start to thin out to a consistency similar to brownies.
- Spread Batter: Evenly spread the batter into the prepared casserole dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of white sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the blondies have a brownie-like consistency and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the apple blondies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars. Enjoy them on their own or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.
Notes
- Using tart apples like Granny Smith adds a nice balance to the sweetness and keeps the blondies moist.
- Walnuts are optional but add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor.
- For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
- Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These blondies freeze well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 24 bars per batch)
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: apple blondies, blondies recipe, apple dessert, cinnamon blondies, walnut blondies, fall dessert
