If you’re anything like me, you love discovering desserts that bring a cozy, homey vibe to your kitchen without demanding all day at the oven. This Apple Blondies Recipe hits that sweet spot perfectly. It’s got the comforting warmth of cinnamon-spiced apples baked into a chewy, buttery blondie that’s just the right balance of sweet and slightly tart. Whether you’re looking for a simple after-school snack or a crowd-pleasing dessert for your next get-together, these blondies never disappoint.
I absolutely love how this Apple Blondies Recipe comes together quickly but tastes like a little celebration in every bite. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how the chunks of apple stay tender but still give a bit of bite, making every square a burst of flavor. You’ll find that this recipe is a total keeper—it’s reliable, easy to tweak with your favorite apple variety, and keeps well for days, making your busy life just a bit sweeter.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Simple: You can whip this Apple Blondies Recipe up in less than 10 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute dessert cravings.
- Perfect Texture Balance: The tender apples add moisture and chewiness without making it soggy, which can be tricky to get right.
- Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: I’ve served these at family dinners and potlucks, and they always vanish fast—true crowd-pleasers!
- Great for All Seasons: Use your favorite apples to highlight seasonal freshness, making it especially cozy in the fall.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Apple Blondies Recipe plays an important role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Choosing good-quality butter and fresh apples will really elevate your final treat.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure—make sure to measure it correctly by spooning into the cup and leveling off to avoid dense blondies.
- Baking powder: Just a touch to help lighten up the texture without making it cake-like.
- Kosher salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors beautifully.
- Cinnamon: Brings that warm, cozy spice that pairs perfectly with apples.
- Nutmeg: Adds a subtle depth of flavor, use freshly grated if you can for the best aroma.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled—you want it just right to mix smoothly without cooking the eggs.
- Light brown sugar: Packed tightly, it adds rich caramel notes and keeps the blondies moist.
- Vanilla extract: A little magic that boosts all the other flavors.
- Egg: Brings everything together and adds moisture—use at room temperature for even mixing.
- Apples: Peeled, cored, and cut into small squares; Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best for their tartness and firmness.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Apple Blondies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different mix-ins or spices—you might find a new favorite version!
- Add nuts: I like tossing in chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor contrast—it’s a family hit every time.
- Swap spices: Instead of cinnamon and nutmeg, try adding a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for a unique twist.
- Make it gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour and you’ll still get a great texture.
- Use dried fruit: If apples aren’t in season, diced dried apricots or raisins can be a fun, chewy addition.
How to Make Apple Blondies Recipe
Step 1: Prep your ingredients and pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. This makes cleanup easier and helps you lift the blondies out smoothly once baked. Meanwhile, peel, core, and dice your apples into small 1/4-inch squares to ensure they bake evenly throughout the blondies.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. This not only distributes the leavening and spices evenly but also helps prevent lumps when mixing into the wet ingredients. Set this aside while you work on the wet mix.
Step 3: Combine butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla
In a large bowl, whisk your melted and cooled butter with the packed light brown sugar until it looks shiny and combined—about 2 minutes is perfect. Then beat in the room-temperature egg and vanilla extract until everything is incorporated and smooth. This mixture is the foundation for your blondies’ rich, buttery flavor.
Step 4: Fold in dry ingredients and apples
Carefully add the flour mixture to your wet mix, stirring just until you see no more large streaks of flour. Don’t overmix here—you’ll want to leave a few small pockets because they disappear once the apples are folded in. Gently fold in those chopped apples, distributing them evenly without breaking up the chunks.
Step 5: Bake until golden and set
Pour your batter into the lined pan and smooth the top. The batter will be a bit thick but spreadable. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, checking around 25 minutes with a toothpick inserted in the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep the blondies chewy, not dry.
Step 6: Cool, slice, and enjoy!
Let the blondies cool completely in the pan before lifting them out on the parchment and cutting into squares. This step helps them set perfectly so your squares don’t crumble when you slice. Now, dig in and savor that apple-cinnamon goodness!
Pro Tips for Making Apple Blondies Recipe
- Use the Right Apples: I discovered this trick when I switched to Granny Smith—they hold their shape wonderfully and keep the blondies from getting too mushy.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Leaving some flour pockets is totally okay and helps maintain a tender texture after baking.
- Room Temperature Eggs for Smooth Mixing: I used to skip this step, but now I always bring eggs to room temp to avoid curdling and get an even batter.
- Check Early to Prevent Overbaking: I set my timer for 25 minutes and start checking then, so my blondies stay chewy and moist, not dry.
How to Serve Apple Blondies Recipe
Garnishes
I love to dust freshly cut blondies with a little powdered sugar or drizzle them with a simple caramel sauce when serving for an extra indulgent touch. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side turns these into a dreamy dessert that my family goes crazy for.
Side Dishes
For a cozy afternoon treat, I pair these blondies with a hot cup of chai tea or strong coffee. If you want to turn it into a brunch option, some creamy yogurt or whipped cream alongside is a delightful combination.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’ve brought these to parties, I like cutting them into bite-sized squares and serving them on a rustic wooden board with seasonal fruits and nuts scattered around. For holiday gatherings, wrapping each piece in parchment and tying with twine makes for a charming edible gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, I store leftover Apple Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature where they stay soft and flavorful up to 5 days. This makes them perfect for prepping ahead when you have busy days ahead but still want a homemade treat handy.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these blondies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you want a treat, just thaw overnight in the fridge and they taste just as fresh as the first day.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop a blondie square in the microwave for about 15 seconds or warm it gently in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes the softness and brings out the apple’s freshly baked goodness.
FAQs
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Can I use different types of apples in this Apple Blondies Recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are great for their tartness and firm texture, you can try Fuji, Braeburn, or Gala—but keep in mind softer apples may break down more during baking, resulting in a moister blondie.
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How do I avoid overbaking the blondies?
Start checking your blondies about 25 minutes into baking by inserting a toothpick in the center. Look for a clean or slightly crumbly toothpick but avoid waiting too long, as leftover heat will continue cooking the blondies once out of the oven.
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Can I make these Apple Blondies vegan or dairy-free?
You can substitute butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free spread, and use a flax egg or another egg replacer. Keep in mind the texture and taste may shift slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
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What’s the best way to store leftover Apple Blondies?
Store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them tightly wrapped to maintain freshness and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Blondies Recipe has quickly become my go-to when I want a dessert that feels like a hug in baked form. It’s easy to make, perfect for fall (though I make it year-round), and always impresses without needing fancy ingredients or complicated steps. I really hope you try it and love it as much as my family does—we always look forward to these squares disappearing off the plate. So grab some apples and warm up your kitchen with this comforting, tasty treat you’ll want to make again and again!
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
Deliciously moist Apple Blondies packed with tender apple pieces, warm spices, and a rich buttery sweetness. Perfect for a cozy dessert or snack, these blondies combine the comforting flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with fresh apples baked to perfection in a thick, chewy batter.
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
Fruit
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch squares (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350° F and line an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the blondies.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted and cooled butter with the light brown sugar until well blended and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the blondies tender; it’s fine if some flour pockets remain.
- Fold in apples: Gently fold the chopped apples into the batter, distributing them evenly without breaking them down.
- Bake: Pour the thick batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 16 squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Prefer Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best texture and flavor retention while baking.
- When mixing in the flour, do not overmix; small pockets of flour are okay as they disappear after folding in apples.
- Store baked blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (about 1/16 of batch)
- 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
