If you’re someone who loves the chewy sweetness of blondies but wants to add a fresh, fruity twist, then this Apple Blondies Recipe is going to feel like a little slice of heaven. I absolutely love how these blondies have the perfect balance of buttery, caramel-like sweetness with juicy bursts of tender apples in every bite. They’re like autumn coziness in dessert form, but honestly, perfect any time of year.
When I first tried this Apple Blondies Recipe, I was amazed at how the apples kept their texture without making the blondies soggy – such a game changer! Whether you’re baking for a casual family snack or bringing something special to a potluck, these blondies are always a hit, and you’ll find that they’re surprisingly simple to whip up with just a handful of ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Real Fruit: The diced apples keep their sweet tartness and texture, giving the blondies a fresh, juicy pop.
- Simple Ingredients: Nothing complicated here, just pantry staples and fresh apples you can find anywhere.
- Perfectly Moist & Chewy: I love how these blondies stay soft and moist for days, making them great for leftovers.
- All-Season Appeal: Whether it’s a fall treat or a summer snack, these blondies always feel just right.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Apple Blondies Recipe plays an important role—from the warm spices that deepen the flavor to the buttery base that creates that classic blondie texture. I suggest using fresh, firm apples to keep the bites balanced and moist without sogginess.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the blondie, providing structure without heaviness.
- Baking powder: Helps give a slight lift for the perfect chewy texture.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all flavors.
- Cinnamon: Brings that warm, cozy note that pairs beautifully with apples.
- Nutmeg: Adds a subtle earthy spice to deepen the flavor complexity.
- Unsalted butter: Melted for ease and that rich, luscious mouthfeel.
- Light brown sugar: Packed for that classic caramel flavor and chewiness.
- Vanilla extract: Injects a sweet, fragrant warmth that rounds everything out.
- Large egg: Binds all the ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Apples (peeled, cored, diced): I recommend Granny Smith or Honeycrisp—they hold up beautifully when baked.
Variations
While I adore the basic Apple Blondies Recipe as is, I love mixing things up depending on the season or mood. Feel free to play around with add-ins or swaps to make this truly your own – you might discover your new favorite!
- Walnuts or Pecans: I often toss in chopped nuts for an extra crunch, and my family goes crazy for the texture contrast.
- Raisins or Dried Cranberries: Adding these dried fruits gives a chewy burst of tartness that complements the apples perfectly.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend: If you’re avoiding gluten, I’ve successfully swapped in a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour without losing that chewy blondie texture.
- Spice it Up: Experiment with a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for a subtle twist I recently tried that adds warmth and complexity.
How to Make Apple Blondies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper—this really helps get nice, clean edges when you slice your blondies. While the oven warms up, peel, core, and dice your apples into about 1/4-inch cubes. I like this size because it lets you get wonderful bites of apple without sinking to the bottom.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This step is crucial because you want your spices evenly distributed so every bite has that lovely warmth without any clumps.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Egg and Vanilla
In a large bowl, whisk your melted and cooled butter with the brown sugar until it looks smooth and glossy—about two minutes or so. Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything’s fully combined. This mixture gives your blondies that classic dense, chewy feel we’re after.
Step 4: Combine Everything and Fold in Apples
Slowly add the dry flour mixture into your wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is combined. It’s okay if you still see a few pockets of flour here and there—that will even out once you fold in the apples. Be gentle folding in your chopped apples, making sure they’re evenly spread but without overmixing, which can make the blondies tough.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour your blondie batter into the prepared pan; it will be a bit thicker than cookie dough but that’s perfect. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Resist the urge to overbake—this is what keeps them gooey and delicious!
Step 6: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, let your Apple Blondies cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 squares. I learned this trick because trying to cut them warm usually leads to a gooey mess. Cooling also helps the flavors settle and makes them easier to handle.
Pro Tips for Making Apple Blondies Recipe
- Cooling Time Matters: Letting the blondies cool fully helps them set perfectly for neat slicing and better texture.
- Choose the Right Apple: I always go for Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they resist turning mushy when baked.
- Don’t Overmix: Stirring the batter just until combined keeps the blondies tender and chewy instead of tough.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Check at 25 minutes to avoid overbaking; a toothpick with a few moist crumbs is perfect.
How to Serve Apple Blondies Recipe
Garnishes
I love to dust these blondies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar—it adds a subtle sweetness and a pretty finish without overwhelming that apple flavor. Sometimes, a spoonful of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes them feel like a special dessert.
Side Dishes
For a cozy afternoon treat, I pair these apple blondies with a warm cup of chai tea or coffee. If it’s a brunch spread, they go wonderfully with cinnamon-spiced oatmeal or a fresh fruit salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I like arranging the blondies in a beautiful tiered dessert stand and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks for a rustic charm. Wrapped individually in parchment and tied with twine, they make darling edible gifts for friends and neighbors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Apple Blondies Recipe squares in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay wonderfully moist and chewy for up to 5 days. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before storing to avoid any moisture buildup.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these blondies freeze beautifully. I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When thawed overnight in the fridge, their flavor and texture come back almost as fresh as day one.
Reheating
To enjoy those frozen or leftover blondies warm, I pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm them briefly in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives that classic soft, gooey texture, especially when served with a small dab of butter or ice cream.
FAQs
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Can I use different types of apples in this Apple Blondies Recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp hold their texture well during baking, you can experiment with Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn too. Just be aware that softer, sweeter apples may break down more and slightly change the blondies’ texture.
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What if I don’t have parchment paper?
You can grease your baking pan thoroughly with butter or nonstick spray, then lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking. Parchment just makes removing the blondies easier and cleaner.
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Can I make these Apple Blondies vegan?
Yes! Use a vegan butter substitute and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
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How do I know when Apple Blondies are done baking?
Check with a toothpick inserted in the center—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Remember, they’ll continue to set as they cool.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Apple Blondies Recipe has become a go-to dessert in my kitchen, and it’s easy to see why. The lovely balance of spice, buttery chewiness, and fresh apple bits creates something that’s not just a treat, but a cozy experience. Give it a try—I promise you’ll enjoy baking and devouring these as much as I do, and it just might become your family’s new favorite too!
Print
Apple Blondies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Apple Blondies are a deliciously moist and flavorful dessert bar combining warm spices and tender apple chunks in a buttery, brown sugar base. Perfect for cozy fall baking, they offer a sweet and spicy treat that’s easy to make and ideal for sharing.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (142 g)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled (1 stick or 113 g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed (200 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg room temperature
Produce
- 2 medium apples peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch squares
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C). Line an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted and cooled unsalted butter with light brown sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until evenly incorporated.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently just until combined—it’s important not to overmix to keep the blondies tender. It’s okay if a few pockets of flour remain at this stage.
- Add apples: Carefully fold in the peeled, cored, and diced apples, mixing them evenly into the batter. The apple pieces add moisture and texture to the blondies.
- Transfer and bake: Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Remove the blondies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- For best results, use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples; they maintain their texture and flavor during baking.
- When mixing the flour, it’s fine if some flour pockets remain—they will disappear when the apples are incorporated.
- Store these blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 156
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 82mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
