Apple Cinnamon Blondies are here to warm your heart and fill your kitchen with a delightful aroma! These sweet treats are a cozy cross between brownies and cake, boasting a rich, buttery texture and studded with soft, tender apples. The comforting combo of cinnamon and brown sugar makes these blondies an irresistible dessert that’s perfect for fall or any time you crave something sweet and satisfying.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Blondies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Apple Cinnamon Blondies

I still remember the first time I baked these apple cinnamon blondies. The scent of warm spices enveloped my home, instantly putting me in a mood of comfort and joy. It only took one bite for my family to fall in love, and I knew I had stumbled upon something special. They’re an easy way to impress at gatherings, or simply to indulge while cozied up on the couch with a good book. Trust me; you’ll want to add this recipe to your collection!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: These blondies come together in just about an hour, perfect for last-minute baking.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of apples and cinnamon adds a warm, comforting taste that feels like a hug in dessert form.
Eye-Catching Appeal: With their golden-brown color and drizzle of icing, they’re as lovely to look at as they are to eat.
Flexible Serving: Enjoy them as a dessert, a yummy snack, or even a special breakfast treat.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily modify this recipe for gluten-free flour or dairy-free butter with great results.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup peeled, cored, and chopped apples (½” pieces): This adds moisture and natural sweetness. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work beautifully, but you can substitute with any apple variety you prefer.
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Just enough to deepen the flavor of the apples without overpowering the blondies.
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar: This enhances the flavor of the apples, giving them a caramelized sweetness.
1¼ cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of these blondies, providing the necessary structure.
¾ teaspoon baking powder: This helps the blondies rise, ensuring a light texture.
¼ teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Your secret weapon for that warm, spicy fragrance throughout the blondies.
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg adds a subtle depth of flavor.
½ cup unsalted butter, melted: Provides a rich, buttery flavor without the water content from salted butter.
¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed: This contributes to the moist texture and adds a beautiful caramel flavor.
1 large egg, room temperature: The egg binds the ingredients together. Room temperature helps it mix more smoothly.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract is the best choice for rich flavor.
1 cup powdered sugar: Used for icing, it gives a sweet finish to your blondies.
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla in the icing brightens the sweetness.
½ teaspoon cinnamon: Ties in nicely with the spices in the blondies.
2 tablespoons milk: Helps to achieve the desired consistency for your icing.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Blondies

Sauté the Apples: In a frying pan over medium heat, add the chopped apples, 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar, and ⅛ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool.
Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8” baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 1¼ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon of baking powder, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon of ground nutmeg until well combined.
Blend the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together ½ cup of melted unsalted butter, ¾ cup of packed dark brown sugar, 1 room-temperature large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and gently fold them together using a rubber spatula. Mix until almost all the flour is incorporated, then add the cooled apples and any juices, folding them in until fully combined.
Bake the Blondies: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Be careful not to overbake; the center should be soft but not gooey.
Cool Completely: Allow the blondies to cool in the pan on a wire rack before icing.
Make the Icing: In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Adjust with more milk for a thinner consistency or add more powdered sugar for a thicker one.
Drizzle and Serve: Once cooled, drizzle the icing over the apple blondies, lift them out using the parchment overhang, and cut into squares.

Storing & Reheating

To store your apple cinnamon blondies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week in a sealed container. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Just wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature. You can briefly warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds if you like them a bit gooey!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid overmixing the batter. It can lead to tough blondies. Fold until just combined.
Always use room temperature eggs for the best incorporation into your butter-sugar mixture.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick—there should be a few moist crumbs when you pull it out.
For added flavor, sprinkle chopped nuts or toffee bits into the batter before baking.
These blondies are perfect for making ahead of time for gatherings—just prepare and store, then add icing close to serving time.

The appeal of apple cinnamon blondies goes beyond their deliciousness. They bring warmth and comfort, whether it’s a simple snack or a dessert for a gathering. Feel free to play around with the spices, blend in some nuts or chocolate, or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I encourage you to experiment with them and make them your own!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different types of apples?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples provide a nice tartness, but feel free to use any apple variety you enjoy. Honeycrisp, Fuji, or even Braeburn apples add a touch of sweetness and hold up well during baking.

How can I make these blondies gluten-free?

You can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture, or you can add a pinch of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it.

Can I add nuts to the recipe?

Definitely! Chopped walnuts or pecans would be a delightful addition to these blondies. Just fold them in with the apples to incorporate a crunchy texture alongside the soft blondies.

How should I store leftovers?

Store your blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them well!

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Apple Cinnamon Blondies

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Yield: 16 servings 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Apple Cinnamon Blondies are a delightful treat featuring tender apples and warm spices. They are easy to make and perfect for gatherings or a cozy dessert at home.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup peeled, cored, and chopped apples (½” pieces)
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¾ cups dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons milk

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Instructions

In a frying pan over medium heat, combine the chopped apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook for about 5 minutes until the apples are softened, then transfer to a plate to cool.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8×8” pan with parchment paper, ensuring there’s an overhang for easy removal.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until combined. Incorporate the cooled apples and their juices.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes, until the top is lightly browned. Be careful not to overbake!
Once baked, cool completely on a wire rack before drizzling with icing.

Notes

These blondies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For an extra twist, consider adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter.
Adjust the spices to your taste preference for a more pronounced flavor.