Description
These Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze are a decadent fall-inspired treat combining the nutty richness of browned butter with sweet, tender apples and a spiced cinnamon maple glaze. Perfectly moist and full of warm flavors, these blondies are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Blondies:
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled (optional) and chopped (about 2 cups)
For the Cinnamon Maple Butter Glaze:
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the blondies later.
- Prepare Blondie Batter: In a medium pot over medium heat, melt the butter and cook it until it browns and emits a toasted aroma, about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add Apple Butter and Sugar: Remove the browned butter from heat, then stir in the apple butter and 1 cup of the brown sugar. Allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes to avoid cooking the eggs.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth. Then add the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Spread Batter: Evenly spread the batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula for an even bake.
- Prepare Apples: In a separate bowl, toss the chopped apples with the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon, coating the apples thoroughly.
- Add Apples on Batter: Sprinkle the spiced apple mixture evenly over the blondie batter, distributing them so every bite gets some apple goodness.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness by ensuring the center is set. If you notice any liquid in the middle, swirl it around and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan.
- Make the Glaze: In a small pot over medium heat, melt the butter and cook until it browns lightly, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in maple syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of flaky sea salt until smooth and glossy.
- Glaze the Blondies: Drizzle the cinnamon maple butter glaze over the cooled blondies, spreading it gently if needed. Let set for 5 minutes to allow the glaze to firm up slightly.
- Serve: Cut into 24 bars and enjoy your delicious brown butter apple blondies with cinnamon maple glaze!
Notes
- Use Honeycrisp apples or any sweet-tart apple variety for the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure to brown the butter carefully; watch it closely to prevent burning.
- Cooling the browned butter mixture before adding eggs prevents cooking the eggs prematurely.
- The glaze can be adjusted in sweetness by varying the powdered sugar between 1/2 and 3/4 cup.
- Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
