Cinnamon Apple Blondies are the kind of treat that practically screams fall coziness. Imagine a soft, chewy bar bursting with buttery brown sugar flavor, a warm whisper of apple spice, and tender chunks of baked apple tucked inside. Yeah, it’s basically autumn in dessert form — a bite-sized love letter to cinnamon, sugar, and sweater weather.
These beauties are simple, homey, and impossible to resist. Whether you serve them as an afternoon pick-me-up with coffee, as a warm treat topped with vanilla ice cream, or even sneak one for breakfast (no judgment here), these blondies hit every craving just right.
So grab those apples sitting on your counter and let’s turn them into something magical. Because honestly, when life gives you apples, skip the pie — make blondies instead.
What Makes These Apple Blondies So Irresistible?
There are desserts that look fancy but taste “meh,” and then there are those humble treats that blow your mind from the first bite. These fall under the second category. Here’s why:
- They’re insanely soft and chewy. Thanks to melted butter, brown sugar, and just the right amount of moisture from the apples, each bite practically melts in your mouth.
- That cinnamon-brown sugar combo? Iconic. It gives these Apple Spice Bars that warm, nostalgic flavor that reminds you of grandma’s kitchen… but way easier.
- No mixer needed! Seriously, this recipe is made in one bowl. You’ll spend more time eating than cleaning up — which, IMO, is the best kind of recipe.
- They’re customizable. Want them extra gooey? Add caramel. Want crunch? Toss in pecans. Want a bakery-style finish? Frost ‘em with cream cheese.
- Perfect for any time of year — especially fall. These are the ultimate Desserts For Winter, too, when you want something warm and comforting but not heavy.
Basically, these Homemade Apple Blondies are the dessert version of fuzzy socks and a good Netflix binge.
Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why They Matter)
Let’s talk ingredients — because every one of them plays a role in making these bars so drool-worthy.
- Butter (melted): Gives that rich, buttery flavor that makes Apple Blondie Brownies taste indulgent and chewy.
- Brown sugar: The secret to that deep, caramelized sweetness and soft texture.
- Vanilla extract: Never skip it — it ties all the flavors together beautifully.
- Egg: Adds structure and richness so your blondies stay dense but tender.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour keeps things simple and sturdy.
- Spices: You’ll use cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. These are your classic Apple Spice essentials — warm, aromatic, and totally cozy.
- Baking powder and salt: For a little lift and balance in flavor.
- Apple: The star! Use a crisp, slightly tart apple like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady. Peel and dice it small for even baking.
- Optional toppings: Caramel sauce, ice cream, or cream cheese frosting if you’re feeling fancy. (Spoiler: you’ll want to be.)
How To Make Cinnamon Apple Blondies
Now for the fun part — turning those ingredients into a pan of golden, gooey deliciousness.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang for easy lifting later.
- Prep your apples. Peel, core, and finely chop one apple (you’ll need about a cup). Toss the apple pieces with a little cinnamon to coat.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy. Then add the egg and vanilla extract — mix until combined.
- Bring it together. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix — that’s the difference between soft and tough blondies.
- Add the apples. Gently fold them into the batter.
- Bake! Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan and pop it in the oven for about 22–24 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool, slice, and serve. Let the blondies cool completely before cutting — this helps them set perfectly. Then top with caramel or frosting if desired.
Pro tip: Want that rich Blonde Apple Brownies texture? Slightly underbake them. They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you that dreamy, fudgy middle.
The Story Behind the Recipe
So here’s the deal — these blondies were born out of procrastination. You know that half-used apple sitting on the counter that’s just starting to wrinkle? Yeah, that’s how these came to be.
Sometimes inspiration doesn’t strike in the grocery store aisle — it strikes when you’re staring at leftovers and craving sugar. These Apple Blondes became my go-to “oops, I have fruit I should use” recipe. The first batch came out so perfect — chewy edges, gooey center, the whole kitchen smelling like cinnamon candles — that I knew it was a keeper.
Now they’ve become a staple in my fall baking rotation. They’re cozy, simple, and taste like a warm hug in bar form.
Pro Tips for the Best Apple Blondies
- Use room temperature ingredients. Cold eggs or butter can mess with the batter texture.
- Don’t overmix. Stir just until the flour disappears. Overmixing = tough blondies, and no one wants that.
- Smaller apple pieces bake better. Tiny chunks blend perfectly into the chewy texture.
- Let them cool before cutting. It’s hard, I know, but warm blondies will fall apart. Patience pays off here!
- Top it like you mean it. A drizzle of caramel sauce makes them dangerously good. Or try cream cheese frosting with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
FYI: These taste even better the next day — the spices deepen and the texture gets fudgier.

Variations to Try
Want to make these your own? Here are some fun twists:
- Salted Caramel Drizzle: Because why not? Add a pinch of sea salt over the top.
- Nutty Crunch: Stir in some chopped pecans or walnuts for texture.
- Frosted Finish: Spread with cinnamon cream cheese frosting for that Blondies Recipe Applebees vibe.
- Grated Apple Version: For more apple flavor without chunks, use grated apple instead of chopped.
- Maple Magic: Replace half the brown sugar with maple syrup for a richer fall flavor.
These blondies are basically a blank (and delicious) canvas.
Best Way to Serve Cinnamon Apple Blondies
The beauty of Chocolate Pumpkin Bread is that it’s amazing no matter how you serve it — but wait, wrong treat! These Cinnamon Apple Blondies deserve the spotlight:
- Warm with vanilla ice cream — the ultimate comfort dessert.
- Chilled with caramel drizzle — perfect for a sweet, fudgy bite.
- With morning coffee or tea — because who said blondies aren’t breakfast food?
- Stacked on a dessert board — add them alongside cookies, brownies, and fruit for a crowd-pleasing platter.
However you serve them, these bars fit right in with any Pumpkin Recipes Dessert or Fall Baking Recipes lineup.
Storage & Leftovers
You’ll be glad to know these blondies keep beautifully.
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Fridge: Keeps for up to 5 days; they taste amazing cold!
- Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature before devouring.
Quick tip: Place parchment between layers if stacking to avoid sticking.
FAQs for Cinnamon Apple Blondies
Can I use any type of apple?
Absolutely! Tart apples like Granny Smith hold up best, but any firm apple works fine.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yep! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Do I need to peel the apples?
You don’t have to, but peeling gives a smoother texture.
Can I double the recipe?
Totally. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan and increase the bake time by about 5–8 minutes.
Can I use apple pie spice instead of separate spices?
Yes! About 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice replaces the cinnamon and nutmeg combo nicely.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about Cinnamon Apple Blondies. They’re simple, nostalgic, and taste like the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like heaven. Whether you call them Apple Blondie Brownies, Apple Spice Bars, or your new fall obsession — they’re guaranteed to become a staple in your Baking Sweets collection.
These Homemade Apple Blondies are what I like to call “comfort baking done right” — easy to make, big on flavor, and always a hit with family and friends. So next time you’re craving a fall dessert that’s both classic and effortless, skip the pie and whip up a batch of these blondies.
Because honestly? Apples and cinnamon never looked (or tasted) this good. 🍎✨
Print
Cinnamon Apple Blondies — Classic Desserts For Winter
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 9 large squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
These apple blondies are everything you love about cozy fall desserts — buttery, chewy, and loaded with sweet apple-cinnamon flavor. They come together in no time, using simple pantry ingredients, and taste incredible with a drizzle of caramel or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Think of them as the dessert version of your favorite apple pie — minus the hassle of making a crust!
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple – peeled, cored, and diced into small pieces (about 1 cup).
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided – for that warm, spiced flavor.
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (about 141g) – gives the blondies structure.
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg – just a touch adds depth and that “cozy fall” aroma.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder – keeps the bars light and soft.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (112g), melted – gives that classic rich, chewy blondie texture.
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (156g) – adds caramel-like flavor and moisture.
- 1 large egg – binds everything together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Instructions
- Prep your pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, letting some hang over the edges for easy lifting later. If you’re skipping parchment, lightly grease the pan instead.
- Get those apples ready: Peel, core, and chop your apple into small chunks — you should have roughly 3/4 to 1 cup total. Toss the apple pieces with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon until they’re lightly coated. (Tip: Don’t use more than 1 cup of apple, or your blondies might turn out too wet.)
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Make the wet base: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and slightly glossy — no streaks of melted butter should remain.
- Add egg and vanilla: Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture looks thick and creamy.
- Combine: Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or spoon. Mix until you don’t see any streaks of flour — avoid overmixing to keep the blondies soft and chewy.
- Fold in the apples: Add the cinnamon-coated apple pieces and gently fold them into the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it into an even layer. Bake for about 22–25 minutes, or until the top looks golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are perfect).
- Cool and slice: Let the blondies cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment overhang, transfer to a cutting board, and slice into squares. If you didn’t use parchment, slice them directly in the pan once cooled.
Notes
- Notes & Tips
- Best apples for baking: Choose a firm, slightly tart apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. They hold their shape beautifully and don’t turn mushy. Avoid Red Delicious — they’re better for snacking than baking.
- Prefer a smoother texture? Use grated apple instead of chunks! Peel and grate the apple, and use 2/3 cup total. This gives you that apple flavor without any visible pieces.
- No light brown sugar? You can substitute with 1/2 cup dark brown sugar + 1/4 cup white sugar. This balances moisture and flavor perfectly.
- Double the fun: Want more? Double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan. The blondies will be a little thicker, so extend the bake time to about 26–28 minutes.
- Texture tip: For the fudgiest blondies, slightly underbake them and let them cool in the pan. They’ll firm up as they rest but stay gooey in the middle.
- Storage: Keep your blondies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re delicious cold or warmed up for a few seconds in the microwave.
- Optional Add-Ons:
- Drizzle warm caramel sauce on top before serving.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty twist.
- Frost with cream cheese icing and dust with cinnamon for bakery-level decadence.
- Serving suggestion: Enjoy these chewy apple blondies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a cup of spiced tea, or your morning coffee. They’re simple, cozy, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like fall. 🍎✨
Nutrition
- Calories: 231kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.4g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 48mg