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Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 67 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze are a warm, cozy dessert perfect for autumn or any time you crave a sweet, spiced treat. Featuring browned butter and apple butter in the batter, spiced chopped apples for texture and flavor, and a luscious cinnamon maple glaze drizzled on top, these blondies combine classic autumn flavors in a moist, chewy bar cookie.


Ingredients

For the Blondies:

  • 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter
  • 1/2 cup apple butter
  • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, divided (1 cup plus 1/2 cup)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided (1 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon)
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled if desired and chopped (about 2 cups chopped apples)

For the Cinnamon Maple Butter Glaze:

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/23/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Brown the Butter: Melt the 3/4 cup of salted butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the butter browns and gives off a toasted aroma, about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Add Apple Butter and Sugar: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the apple butter and 1 cup of light brown sugar. Allow the mixture to cool for about 5 minutes so it doesn’t cook the eggs in the next step.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until well blended. Then add the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt. Gently mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
  5. Prepare Batter in Pan: Spread the blondie batter evenly into the prepared parchment-lined baking dish.
  6. Prepare Spiced Apples: In a separate bowl, toss the chopped apples with the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to coat the apples evenly with spice and sweetness.
  7. Add Apples to Batter: Evenly sprinkle the spiced apple pieces over the top of the blondie batter in the pan.
  8. Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the blondies are set in the center. If you see any liquid in the middle after baking, gently swirl it and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes. Once baked, allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan.
  9. Make the Cinnamon Maple Glaze: In a small pot over medium heat, melt the 3 tablespoons of salted butter, allowing it to brown lightly for 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the maple syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of flaky sea salt until smooth.
  10. Glaze the Blondies: Drizzle the cinnamon maple glaze evenly over the cooled blondies. Let the glaze set for about 5 minutes to firm up slightly.
  11. Serve: Cut the blondies into 24 bars and serve. Enjoy this delightful dessert as a sweet snack, after-dinner treat, or with a cup of coffee or tea.

Notes

  • Brown the butter carefully to avoid burning; it should have a nutty aroma and golden brown flecks.
  • Peeling the apples is optional, but peeling will create a smoother texture.
  • If you prefer tartness, you can use Granny Smith apples instead of Honeycrisp.
  • Make sure to cool the blondies completely before glazing for the best texture and appearance.
  • Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.