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
Scale
- 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