Soft and Spiced Apple Blondies with an Apple Butter Recipe
Is there anything better than the smell of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven? If you’re craving a sweet, cozy treat to welcome the fall season, these Apple Blondies are just the thing! They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with fall flavors like apple butter, cinnamon, and a maple glaze that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
Plus, they’re super easy to make, which makes them perfect for a weekend baking project or a simple dessert to bring to a family gathering. So, let’s get baking!
Let’s start by making the Apple Butter first!
How to Make Apple Butter
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step by Step Guide
1. Dice your apples into ½ inch pieces. Peeling them is optional—if you like a more rustic texture, feel free to leave the skins on. If you prefer a smoother apple butter, peel them first.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and vanilla. This combination of spices is what gives your apple butter its signature fall flavor.
3. Place the diced apples into the bottom of your slow cooker, then pour the sugar and spice mixture over them. Toss everything to combine, making sure the apples are evenly coated. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 10-12 hours, stirring occasionally. By the end of the cooking time, your apples should be incredibly soft and tender.
4. Once the apples are tender and have released their juices, transfer everything to a blender. Blend until smooth, working in batches if necessary. If you want a super silky apple butter, you can even pass it through a sieve for an extra smooth texture.
5. Measure 3/4 cup of this apple butter to use for the apple blondies. Place the excess into a storage container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
This homemade apple butter is one of those delightful fall traditions that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. You can also use this as spread on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or dollop it on pancakes for a delicious taste of autumn in every bite. If you’re feeling extra festive, you can even gift a jar to a friend!
Now, let’s jump into making our favorite Apple Blondies!
How to Make Apple Blondies
Ingredients you’ll need for the blondies
Ingredients you’ll need for the glaze
Step by Step Guide
1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray or line a 13×9 baking dish and set it aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it begins to brown. This adds a delicious, nutty flavor to the blondies. Once browned, let the butter cool for about 10 minutes.
3. Stir the apple butter and 1 cup of the brown sugar into the cooled butter. Add in the eggs and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
4. Now, stir in the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix just until everything is combined (don’t overmix!).
5. In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with the remaining ½ cup of brown sugar and the remaining teaspoon of cinnamon. This gives the apples that sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness!
6. Spread the batter into your prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar apples evenly over the top. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are just starting to brown. Allow the blondies to cool before glazing.
8. While the blondies are baking, make the maple glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it turns brown. Browning the butter gives the glaze a rich, toasty flavor.
9. Add the maple syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined.
10. Drizzle the glaze over your cooled apple blondies and let it set before slicing and serving. It adds the perfect finishing touch to this already scrumptious dessert!
And there you have it! These Apple Blondies combine the best of both worlds—sweet, buttery blondies with the warm, spiced flavors of fall. The diced apples add a little bite, while the maple glaze ties everything together with just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, they’re super simple to make, and the results are guaranteed to impress.
So, whether you’re planning a fall get-together or just want something sweet to enjoy with your coffee, these blondies are a must-try! Happy baking!
Apple Blondies
Ingredients
For Blondies:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup apple butter
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar, divided
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 medium apples, diced (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala)
For the glaze:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray or line a 13×9 baking dish and set it aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it begins to brown. This adds a delicious, nutty flavor to the blondies. Once browned, let the butter cool for about 10 minutes.
- Stir the apple butter and 1 cup of the brown sugar into the cooled butter. Add in the eggs and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
- Now, stir in the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix just until everything is combined (don’t overmix!).
- In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with the remaining ½ cup of brown sugar and the remaining teaspoon of cinnamon. This gives the apples that sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness!
- Spread the batter into your prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar apples evenly over the top. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are just starting to brown. Allow the blondies to cool before glazing.
- While the blondies are baking, make the maple glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it turns brown. Browning the butter gives the glaze a rich, toasty flavor.
- Add the maple syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined.
- Drizzle the glaze over your cooled apple blondies and let it set before slicing and serving. It adds the perfect finishing touch to this already scrumptious dessert!
Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 10 medium-sized apples
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- 1 tablespoon vanilla or vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Dice your apples into ½ inch pieces. Peeling them is optional—if you like a more rustic texture, feel free to leave the skins on. If you prefer a smoother apple butter, peel them first.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and vanilla. This combination of spices is what gives your apple butter its signature fall flavor.
- Place the diced apples into the bottom of your slow cooker, then pour the sugar and spice mixture over them. Toss everything to combine, making sure the apples are evenly coated. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 10-12 hours, stirring occasionally. By the end of the cooking time, your apples should be incredibly soft and tender.
- Once the apples are tender and have released their juices, transfer everything to a blender. Blend until smooth, working in batches if necessary. If you want a super silky apple butter, you can even pass it through a sieve for an extra smooth texture.
- Measure 3/4 cup of this apple butter to use for the apple blondies. Place the excess into a storage container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Check Out More Apple Recipe Ideas!
Warm, Gooey Apple Pie Cookies on Gold Marble
Sweet and Crunchy Chocolate Dipped Apples for All Ages
Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting: Fall in Every Bite!
Caramel Twix Apple Dip: A Sweet and Indulgent Treat in Just Minutes!
