Sink your teeth into the ultimate fall treat with Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze, a dessert that wraps all the best autumn flavors into irresistibly chewy, gooey bars. Imagine the richness of buttery blondies, the warmth of spices, and the sweet-tart pop of baked apples, all finished with a silky maple glaze kissed with cinnamon. Each bite delivers a burst of cozy flavors and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, making this recipe a must-bake for anyone who loves to celebrate apple season in the most delicious way possible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry classics and a few autumnal essentials, these Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze deliver maximum flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a starring role; when combined, they create a harmonious, comforting dessert that’s worth every bowl and whisk.
- Unsalted butter: Browning the butter transforms its flavor, giving the blondies a nutty depth you can’t get any other way.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture, softness, and that irresistible butterscotch note blondies are famous for.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and provide structure for that soft, chewy bite.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and enhances the warmth of the spices and apple.
- Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the apple and butter.
- Ground cinnamon: Delivers a cozy, autumnal aroma and taste both in the blondies and the glaze.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, earthy warmth that makes the apples shine brighter.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone for the perfect blondie texture—dense, chewy, and slightly soft.
- Apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith): Choose tart apples for a bright contrast or sweet for mellow richness; chop finely for even distribution.
- Chopped toasted walnuts (optional): Toasting unlocks their full flavor, adding craggy crunch throughout—feel free to skip for a nut-free version.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for the dreamy glaze that finishes the bars with sweetness and sheen.
- Pure maple syrup: Infuses natural sweetness and a hint of woodsy complexity in the luscious glaze.
- Milk or cream: Just a splash ensures your glaze drizzles perfectly over every blondie.
How to Make Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal. This makes lifting your Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze out of the pan a breeze, while ensuring perfectly square bars every time.
Step 2: Brown the Butter
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt your butter. Keep swirling or stirring the pan—it’ll go from golden to nutty brown in about 5 to 7 minutes. Watch closely as the magic happens! Once the butter smells toasty and looks a warm caramel color, immediately pour it into a large mixing bowl to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Browning the butter is key for deep, caramelized notes in these blondies.
Step 3: Make the Blondie Batter
Whisk the brown sugar into the warm brown butter until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is glossy and unified. Next, add the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour, stirring just until the flour disappears. You want to keep things tender, so avoid over-mixing here!
Step 4: Add Apples and Walnuts
Fold in the chopped apples and, if using, the toasted walnuts. This is where the autumn magic happens—each bite of your Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze gets studded with juicy fruit and a hint of crunch. Gently turn the batter so the fruit is evenly distributed, but be careful not to overwork it.
Step 5: Bake
Scrape the blondie batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the surface is golden and the center is just set—a toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs attached. Let the blondies cool in the pan before glazing; this helps lock in moisture and makes slicing easy.
Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Maple Glaze
While the blondies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, cinnamon, and enough milk or cream to form a smooth glaze. The goal is a pourable—though not runny—consistency that will lightly veil the bars in sweet, cinnamon-scented goodness.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
Drizzle the cinnamon maple glaze generously over the cooled blondies, letting it flow into the cracks and corners. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes, then use the parchment to lift the blondies from the pan. Slice into squares and get ready for applause—your Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze are ready to impress!
How to Serve Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze
Garnishes
For extra flair, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the glaze or a dusting of additional cinnamon right before serving. Thinly sliced apple fans or a handful of toasted walnut pieces can also add a beautiful, rustic touch that hints at the flavors inside each blondie.
Side Dishes
These blondies pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on a warm fall evening, or cozied up to a mug of spiced chai or hot apple cider. Serve them alongside fresh apple slices for a little contrast, or with tangy Greek yogurt and honey for a snack that blurs the line between dessert and breakfast.
Creative Ways to Present
Layer the cut Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze in clear jars for on-the-go lunchbox treats or party favors. For an autumn dessert board, arrange the squares on a platter with caramel sauce, apple wedges, and roasted nuts. Or, stack and wrap them in parchment with twine for a charming homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra blondies tightly wrapped or sealed in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay delightfully chewy and moist, thanks to the apples and brown sugar in every bite.
Freezing
These Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze freeze exceptionally well—simply wrap individual bars or the whole batch in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep their lovely texture for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven experience, briefly microwave a blondie square for 10-15 seconds or warm in a low oven until just heated through. The glaze softens, the apples become even more fragrant, and the buttery aroma will make your kitchen smell fantastic all over again.
FAQs
What are the best apples for these blondies?
Granny Smith apples bring a tart pop that stands up well to the sweetness of the blondies, but Honeycrisp or Fuji apples offer a sweeter, milder bite. Use your favorite or mix varieties for more complexity!
Can I skip the walnuts or use another nut?
Absolutely—walnuts are optional, and you can swap in toasted pecans, hazelnuts, or even omit the nuts entirely if you need a nut-free treat. The blondies will still be plenty delicious and flavorful.
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?
Start checking around the 30-minute mark; the blondies are ready when the top looks golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs (but not raw batter). Slightly underbaked is better than overbaked for that fudgy chew.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Keep in mind the bake time may be a few minutes longer, so watch closely and test for doneness in the center.
Is there a gluten-free version of Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze?
You can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Be sure to check that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free if necessary, and enjoy a superbly chewy, apple-packed gluten-free blondie!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, irresistibly flavorful dessert that’s pure autumn comfort, you honestly can’t do better than these Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze. From the first nutty, fragrant bite to the very last crumb, these bars are sure to become a memorable favorite in your home kitchen. Put on your coziest sweater, gather your apples, and give this recipe a try—you (and everyone you share them with) will be so glad you did!
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Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 blondies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of fall with these Brown Butter Apple Blondies topped with a luscious Cinnamon Maple Glaze. Perfect for a cozy dessert or sweet treat any time of day!
Ingredients
Brown Butter Apple Blondies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, browned and cooled slightly
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
Cinnamon Maple Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream (to thin glaze if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant.
- Mix batter: Combine browned butter with brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. Fold in apples and walnuts.
- Bake: Spread batter in the pan and bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and set.
- Make glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and milk for the glaze.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle the glaze over cooled blondies, let it set, then cut into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for contrast or sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp for a milder flavor.
- Toasting walnuts adds flavor but can be omitted for a nut-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
