This apple blondies recipe folds diced fresh apples and warm cinnamon into a buttery brown sugar blondie batter, then finishes the baked bars with an optional drizzle of caramel sauce. This easy fall dessert bar recipe takes about 50 minutes and has become one of the season’s most requested bakes for capturing everything people love about apple pie in a genuinely easier, no-crust format that’s just as good for a weeknight treat as it is for a fall gathering.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12
Category: Dessert
Why You’ll Love This Apple Blondies
- This apple blondies recipe captures everything people love about apple pie with far less effort.
- One bowl, no mixer, and no pie crust to fuss over.
- The caramel drizzle on top turns simple bars into something genuinely special.
- A great dessert for fall potlucks, since the bars slice and transport easily.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 5 cups diced apples
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce, for drizzling
How to Make Apple Blondies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Whisk the melted butter with the brown sugar.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Fold in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Cool, then drizzle with caramel sauce before slicing.
Tips for the Best Apple Blondies
- Dice the apples small for this apple blondies recipe so they distribute evenly throughout the batter.
- Use a firm baking apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so the pieces hold their shape.
- Don’t overbake — pull the blondies while the center still looks slightly underdone, since they continue to set as they cool.
- Let the bars cool completely before adding the caramel drizzle and slicing for the cleanest cuts.
Variations to Try
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Swap the caramel drizzle for a simple powdered sugar glaze.
- Add a streusel topping before baking for extra texture.
How to Store It
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What apples work best for apple blondies?
Firm baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn hold their shape best and add a nice tartness that balances the sweet brown sugar batter.
Can I make apple blondies ahead of time?
Yes, they keep well for several days, making them a great make-ahead dessert for fall gatherings.
Why did my blondies turn out gummy in the middle?
This usually means they were slightly underbaked or the apple pieces were cut too large, releasing excess moisture — dice apples small and bake until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Can I freeze apple blondies?
Yes, they freeze well for up to 3 months — wrap individual bars tightly before freezing.
Apple Blondies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with parchment.
- Step 2: Whisk melted butter with brown sugar.
- Step 3: Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Step 4: Fold in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Step 5: Fold in diced apples.
- Tip: Dice apples small so they distribute evenly.
- Step 6: Spread batter into the pan.
- Step 7: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until edges are golden.
- Tip: Pull while the center still looks slightly underdone.
- Step 8: Cool, drizzle with caramel, and slice.