A cozy, fall-inspired treat, these apple blondies are loaded with warm spices and fresh apples then topped with a sweet, buttery maple glaze.
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Apples and maple — it doesn’t get more fall than that, right? These apple blondies with maple glaze are basically autumn in dessert form. Soft, cinnamon-y apples tucked into a buttery blondie, topped with a creamy maple glaze that just melts into every bite.
They are simple, cozy, and exactly the kind of treat you want when the air starts to get crisp. Plus, let’s be real, it’s not fall without baking something that makes your whole house smell amazing. Whether you’re making a batch to share or keeping them all to yourself (we wouldn’t blame you), these blondies are the perfect way to satisfy your fall cravings.
Ingredient Notes
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need (pictured below) for the blondies and the glaze. Read on for a few notes.
Blondies
- Butter, unsalted
- Light brown sugar
- Eggs, large (room temperature)
- Pure vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Apples, diced
Apples: We used Gala apples, which work great for blondies since they are sweet and have a soft texture. You can also use Fuji or Pink Lady for a similar result. Honeycrisp or Granny Smith would also be great options, offering a firmer texture and a nice balance of sweet and tart.
Maple Glaze
- Butter, melted
- Pure maple syrup
- Maple extract
- Pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar
Why both maple syrup and maple extract? We tested the recipe using each on its own, and while both were delicious, we love the richer flavor of the combination. Feel free to use just one if you prefer—simply adjust the amounts to your liking.
Supplies
- Mixing bowls and spoons or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9.5×13” baking pan
- Parchment paper or baking spray
- Ziplock or piping bag for drizzling glaze
- Cutting board and knife
- Serving tray or storage container
Let’s Make Apple Blondies
Follow the steps below to make these yummy fall treats.
1
Preheat Oven to 350°F.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9.5×13” baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
3
Peel, Core and Dice Apples.
Peel the apples, remove the cores and dice into small 1/4” pieces.
4
Combine wet ingredients.
In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Add the vanilla extract, then mix in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
5
Combine wet and dry ingredients.
Gradually add the flour to the wet mixture, stirring gently. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
6
Fold in apples.
Gently fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed in the batter.
7
Bake the Blondies.
Pour the blondie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay).
8
Cool Completely.
Once blondies are baked, cool completely before removing from the pan.
9
Prep maple glaze.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, maple syrup, maple extract and salt. Stir together, then gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
10
Drizzle the glaze.
Once the blondies have completely cooled, remove from the pan and drizzle the maple glaze over the top. Let the glaze set completely before cutting.
*Tip: For easy drizzling, pour the glaze into a sandwich bag and snip a small corner off to use as a piping bag.
11
Cut and Serve.
For the best results, refrigerate the blondies for about 30 minutes before cutting them into squares. This will help the blondies hold their shape and make serving easier.
More About This Recipe
What are blondies? Blondies are like a cousin to brownies but without the cocoa. Instead of the rich chocolate flavor, blondies rely on brown sugar and butter for their signature taste, giving them a caramel-like richness. They’re soft, chewy, and full of flavor. These apple blondies take that classic blondie texture and elevate it with juicy apples and a cozy blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a sweet maple glaze for the ultimate fall treat.
Where to serve apple blondies. These blondies are perfect for fall gatherings, from family dinners to holiday parties. They make a great dessert for Thanksgiving or a cozy treat to share with friends during a casual get-together. You can also pack them for bake sales, potlucks, or school events—they travel well and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about making these tasty bars.
What type of apples should I use?
We used Gala apples for their sweetness and soft texture. Fuji or Pink Lady would be similar options. If you prefer a balance of sweet and tart with a crisper texture, Honeycrisp or Granny Smith would be great alternatives.
Can I freeze Apple Blondies?
Absolutely! Once cooled and glazed, store in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy. Just keep in mind that the glaze may look a bit flattened when thawed.
Can I use a different type of glaze?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of maple, you can swap the glaze for a vanilla or cream cheese glaze.
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?
The edges will be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the toothpick is wet with batter, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
Apple Blondies With Maple Glaze
A cozy, fall-inspired treat, these apple blondies are loaded with warm spices and fresh apples then topped with a sweet, buttery maple glaze.
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
Ingredients
Blondies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups diced apples (about 3 small apples or 2 medium)
Maple Glaze
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp maple extract
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F and line a 9.5×13” pan with parchment paper.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Peel, core, and dice apples into small 1/4” pieces.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in the vanilla and eggs.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the apples.
- Spread batter in the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely.
- Mix butter, maple syrup, extract, salt, and powdered sugar. Drizzle over cooled blondies.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting.
Notes
- Drizzling: For easy drizzling, pour the glaze into a sandwich bag and snip a small corner off to use as a piping bag.
- Cutting: Refrigeration before cutting is highly recommended. Be sure to use a sharp knife and wipe the knife off in between for best results.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temp or 2 weeks in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 239
- Sugar: 21.6 g
- Sodium: 188.4 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 33.5 g
- Protein: 2.2 g
- Cholesterol: 46.1 mg
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Have You Tried This Recipe? Please rate it in the comments and let us know your thoughts!