Warm, chewy apple blondies topped with a rich maple glaze—your new favorite fall dessert! Perfectly spiced and buttery, ideal for cozy nights or gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Fall: Apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup come together to capture the flavors of the season.
- Easy to Make: Simple pantry staples and just a few steps to a crowd-pleasing treat.
- Moist and Tender: Fresh apples keep these blondies soft and chewy.
- Delicious Glaze: The maple glaze adds a beautiful finish and enhances the overall flavor.
- Great for Sharing: Makes 16 servings — perfect for parties, potlucks, or just treating yourself.
Ingredients
For the Blondies:
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
For the Maple Glaze:
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped apples evenly.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the blondies cool in the pan.
- To make the glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add maple syrup and brown sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to bubble.
- Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the glaze over the cooled blondies and spread evenly. Let it set before slicing.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 16 blondies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Calories per serving: 320 kcal (approx.)
Variations
- Add nuts: Fold in 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture.
- Caramel twist: Replace the glaze with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
- Spiced up: Add a pinch of cloves or allspice for more complex autumn spice.
- Frosting swap: Use cream cheese frosting instead of maple glaze for a richer treat.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap blondies individually and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for a just-baked feel, or let come to room temperature before serving.
FAQs
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?
Insert a toothpick in the center — if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they’re ready.
Can I use a different type of apple?
Yes! Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are recommended, but Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala also work well.
Can I make these blondies ahead of time?
Absolutely. They stay moist and flavorful for several days, making them perfect for prep-ahead desserts.
Is the glaze necessary?
The blondies are delicious on their own, but the maple glaze adds a warm, sweet finish that’s hard to resist.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but use two 9×13 pans or a larger sheet pan and adjust baking time accordingly.
Can I reduce the sugar?
You can slightly reduce the sugar in both the blondies and glaze, but it may affect moisture and texture.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free butter substitute in both the blondies and glaze to make it dairy-free.
Can I add oats to the batter?
Sure — you can add up to 1/2 cup of rolled oats for added texture and fiber.
What type of maple syrup should I use?
Use 100% pure maple syrup for the best flavor — avoid imitation syrups.
How should I slice the blondies neatly?
Let them cool completely and use a sharp knife. For cleaner cuts, wipe the knife between slices.
Conclusion
These Apple Blondies with Maple Glaze are everything you want in a cozy dessert — rich, moist, and full of fall flavor. Whether you’re sharing them at a holiday gathering or enjoying a quiet treat with coffee, they’re sure to become a seasonal favorite. Try them once, and they’ll be on repeat all autumn long.
Related Recipes to Fall in Love With
If you’re as enchanted by cozy apple desserts and warm fall flavors as we are, you won’t want to miss these delightful bakes. For more fruit-forward treats, try the buttery and crumbly Apple Crumble Bars, a perfect companion to your afternoon coffee. Love fritters? The Apple Fritter Bread delivers that classic fairground flavor in loaf form. Looking for layers of flavor and texture? Indulge in the Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake Delight, where creamy meets crisp. If you’re a citrus lover, brighten your dessert table with the zesty Lemon Meringue Pie Bars for a tart balance. And for those who adore nostalgic, spiced bakes, the Old-Fashioned Ginger Loaf Cake is a moist and fragrant classic that pairs beautifully with maple flavors.
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Apple Blondies with Maple Glaze
Description
Moist, apple-packed blondies topped with a warm maple glaze — the perfect cozy dessert for fall.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (for glaze)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for glaze)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped apples evenly.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- For the glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add maple syrup and brown sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble.
- Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the glaze over the cooled blondies, spreading it evenly. Allow it to set before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced flavor.
- Make sure blondies are fully cooled before adding glaze to prevent it from soaking in.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.