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Soft and chewy with a sweet cinnamon glaze, these Apple Blondies are perfect for fall baking! They’re as easy to make as brownies but they swap the chocolate for warm, cozy flavors and delicious diced apples.
Brownies have had enough time in the spotlight; it’s finally time to shine a light on blondies! As brownie’s underrated cousin, blondies are just as delectable, ultra-buttery, and so chewy. Plus, you can have a lot of fun playing with their flavors (spoiler alert: they go way beyond just chocolate).
Apples are practically bursting out of their orchards in the fall, so I figured what better way to indulge than baking them into a batch of these Apple Blondies? These sweet and chewy dessert bars will remind you of a brownie made with butter and cozy cinnamon apples instead of cocoa powder. In other words, they’re an unforgettable fall treat!
After just 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes in the oven, you’re left with a batch of apple cinnamon blondies with tender apples in every bite and a sweet cinnamon glaze on top. They’re completely irresistible and will fill your home with the wonderful aromas of fall.
Recipe features
- Each blondie is perfectly soft and chewy, while the combination of apples and a cinnamon glaze makes them irresistibly sweet and comforting.
- With straightforward ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll have this apple dessert ready in no time.
- Serve them to your friends and family after a trip to the apple orchard or pumpkin patch. They’re perfect for sharing!
Ingredients
Butter – A necessary ingredient in any blondie recipe. I recommend using unsalted butter but if all you have is salted butter, omit the ¼ teaspoon of salt from the recipe.
Brown sugar – Another must-have ingredient for the blondie’s signature deep, caramel-like flavor and soft, chewy texture. Coconut sugar also works here if you prefer a natural sweetener.
Flour – I used all-purpose flour for the right amount of structure and chew. Scroll to the FAQs below for my notes on substituting gluten-free flour.
Cinnamon – Apples and this cozy winter spice belong together! Feel free to substitute apple pie spice or even pumpkin pie spice for more fall flavor.
Apples – Granny Smith apples are my go-to as they hold their shape well during baking, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Jonagold, and Fuji also work well in baked apple desserts. Use your favorite! Just make sure they are firm, ripe, and taste more sweet than sour.
Cinnamon-sugar glaze – This easy glaze is made from milk, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients. Use an electric mixer to cream the melted butter and sugars together in a large bowl. Crack in the egg and add the vanilla extract, then mix until well combined.
Step 2: Add the dry ingredients. Mix the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture. Stir just until combined, then gently fold in the diced apples.
Step 3: Bake. Transfer the batter to your baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Set the blondies aside to cool before slicing.
Step 4: Decorate and serve. Whisk the milk, powdered sugar, and cinnamon together to make the glaze, then drizzle it over the cooled blondies. Enjoy!
Tips and FAQs
- Take the blondies over the top by browning the melted butter in a warm skillet for about 5 minutes first. Once the melted butter is bubbly, takes on a deep golden brown color, and has an almost nutty flavor, you’ll know you’ve browned it beautifully.
- To prevent the diced apples from sinking to the bottom of the batter, toss them with a couple of teaspoons of flour before folding them into the batter.
- The parchment paper serves two key purposes: (1) it prevents the blondies from sticking to the pan and (2) the 1-inch overhang doubles as a handle, making it easier to lift them out of the pan. Don’t skip it!
- Give the blondies time to cool completely in the pan. If you lift them from the pan or decorate them while they’re still hot, they’ll crumble and the glaze will melt.
Tip
Take your butter and eggs out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start making this recipe. Room temperature ingredients yield perfect batter and evenly baked blondies every time!
Variations
- More mix-in ideas – Fold up to ⅓ cup of chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, toffee bits, or shredded coconut into the batter for extra indulgence.
- Instead of the glaze – Decorate the blondies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.
What’s the difference between blondies and brownies?
Blondies are like brownies but without the cocoa. Instead, they’re rich and buttery, with a hint of vanilla that makes them just plain delicious.
Can they be made gluten-free?
While I haven’t tested this recipe with gluten-free flour, swapping the all-purpose flour for a quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend should work just as well. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or guar gum to help with texture and binding.
Can I bake the blondies in a skillet instead?
Absolutely! To make an apple blondie skillet, simply bake the batter in a greased 10-inch oven-safe skillet instead of a square baking dish and adjust the baking time as needed. For more tips, check out my brownie skillet recipe.
Storage
Room temperature: Keep the glazed blondie bars in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for 2 to 3 days.
Refrigerator: The leftover apple blondies will keep for up to 1 week when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Freezer: Wrap the individual blondies in plastic wrap and freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Leave them on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator to thaw, then enjoy.
More apple desserts
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Apple Blondies
Soft and chewy with a sweet cinnamon glaze, these Apple Blondies are perfect for fall baking! They’re as easy to make as brownies but they swap the chocolate for warm, cozy flavors and delicious diced apples.
Servings:
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Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350° F and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a one inch overhang; set aside.
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Pour the butter into a large mixing bowl, then add the sugars and beat with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Then, add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
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Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt to that same bowl and mix just until the flour disappears. Last, stir in the diced apple with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
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Scoop the batter into the prepared dish, then bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before removing.
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Once the blondies have cooled, remove them, then slice into 9 bars. Make the glaze by whisking the milk, powdered sugar and cinnamon together, then drizzle it over the blondies. Enjoy!
Notes
*Calories are per serving and are an estimation.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 353IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg
