Maple Glazed Apple Blondies Recipe

Sink your teeth into these Maple Glazed Apple Blondies—an irresistibly soft, chewy bar stuffed with tart apples and crowned in a buttery maple glaze. Each bite offers that perfect intersection where cozy autumn flavors meet care-free, dessert-all-year energy. This recipe is a must for anyone who loves homey bakes that are as welcoming for weeknight snacks as they are for holiday tables. Trust me, these Maple Glazed Apple Blondies will win over the toughest critic and make your kitchen smell absolutely magical.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Maple Glazed Apple Blondies lies in their simple, everyday ingredients, each one bringing something vital to the table. With just a few pantry essentials and a couple of fresh apples, you’ll create a treat that tastes far fancier than the effort required. Every item here is tuned to bring perfect flavor, soft texture, and that extra sparkle thanks to the maple glaze.

• All purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure while keeping the bars tender.
• Baking powder: Gives a slight lift, ensuring the blondies don’t come out too dense.
• Salt: Just a touch balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• Butter (softened): Adds richness, moisture, and a buttery flavor that’s the backbone of any blondie.
• Sugar: A bit of granulated sugar for sweetness and structure, so the blondies don’t get too heavy.
• Dark brown sugar: Gives a deep, caramel flavor and extra chewiness—you don’t want to swap this out!
• Eggs: Act as binders and help provide that classic fudgy blondie texture.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and infuses every bite with warm, inviting notes.
• Cinnamon: A little bit in both the apple filling and the batter adds a comforting spice throughout.
• Apples (finely chopped): The starring player in the filling—choose tart and crisp for a pronounced apple flavor.
• Brown sugar (for filling): Ensures the apples become deliciously caramelized and not too tart.
• Butter (for filling): Melts over the apples, making them soft and unbelievably delicious.
• Vanilla extract (for filling): Amplifies the natural sweetness of the apples.
• Butter (for glaze): Makes the glaze decadently rich and glossy.
• Pure maple syrup: Use the real deal here—the flavor pays off big time and makes this glaze sing.
• Powdered sugar: Ensures the maple glaze is smooth and pourable with just the right touch of sweetness.
• Vanilla extract (for glaze): Deepens and ties together the maple notes.
• Ground cinnamon (for glaze): A pinch in the glaze brings the whole dessert together.

How to Make Maple Glazed Apple Blondies

Step 1: Get Prepped

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and prepping your 11×7 pan. Either line it with tin foil (for super-easy removal later) or give it a good spray with nonstick cooking spray if you prefer. Getting this done first sets you up for a quick assembly and keeps things moving.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, toss in your chopped apples, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften and everything gets jammy and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the filling cool while you prepare the rest.

Step 3: Mix up the Blondie Batter

Cream together your softened butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and lighter in color—this should take about a minute. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so your batter gets glossy and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt to blend everything perfectly.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon until evenly mixed. Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, gently stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—just enough to get all the flour incorporated for that ideal, soft texture.

Step 5: Layer the Blondies

Spread half the blondie batter evenly on the bottom of your prepared pan. (Pro tip: it’s thick, so use your hands or a spatula.) Next, layer the cooled apple filling across, spreading it into every corner. Top it all with the rest of the blondie batter, gently smoothing it over so no apple peeks through.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is a beautiful golden brown and a toothpick (or cake tester) poked in the center comes out clean. The scent in your kitchen at this step alone is reason enough to make these Maple Glazed Apple Blondies!

Step 7: Whip Up the Maple Glaze

As the blondies cool, make your maple glaze. Melt the butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon together in a small pan over low heat. Once everything is melted and smooth, pull it off the heat and sift in the powdered sugar. Whisk it all together until silky, then let it stand for 8 to 10 minutes, so the glaze thickens enough to sit prettily on the bars.

Step 8: Glaze and Serve

Let the blondies cool for about 10 minutes after baking, then pour the glaze evenly over the top. Give it a little while to set up, then slice into generous squares. Enjoy every gooey, maple-laced, apple-filled bite!

How to Serve Maple Glazed Apple Blondies

Garnishes

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top makes for an irresistible sweet-salty treat. For a touch of elegance, a dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra bits of sautéed apple can really dress things up. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish your Maple Glazed Apple Blondies with a drizzle of extra maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent twist.

Side Dishes

Serve these blondies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream—that creamy chill against the warm, spiced squares is pure magic. If you’re hosting brunch or a cozy gathering, try them with a mug of cinnamon-spiced chai or your favorite coffee. They also shine with a cold glass of milk for an after-school treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Think beyond the usual squares: cut your blondies into bite-size cubes and serve on a platter with toothpicks for a party, or layer crumbled pieces in parfait glasses with whipped cream and extra apple bites for a show-stopping dessert. For gifting, wrap individual blondies in parchment and tie with twine for a homemade touch everyone will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Maple Glazed Apple Blondies fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If your kitchen runs warm, pop them in the fridge—the glaze will stay set and the bars will stay moist. Even after a couple of days, the flavors meld beautifully!

Freezing

Yes, you can absolutely freeze these! Once cooled and glazed, cut the blondies into squares, wrap each one in plastic wrap, and place them in a sealed freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for about two months. When you’re craving a treat, let a square thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds.

Reheating

If you like your Maple Glazed Apple Blondies warm (who doesn’t?), a quick zap in the microwave brings them right back to melty, gooey goodness. About 10-15 seconds per square is plenty. Or, refresh them in a low oven at 300°F for five minutes for that just-baked magic.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples?

Absolutely! Tart apples like Granny Smith lend a punchy flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the glaze, while Fuji or Honeycrisp bring extra juiciness. Mix and match for your perfect apple experience in these Maple Glazed Apple Blondies.

What if I don’t have an 11×7 pan?

No worries—a 9×9 pan or even a 13×9 pan will work in a pinch. Just adjust the baking times a bit (a thinner layer may need less time, while a thicker one will need slightly more) and keep an eye out for that golden top and clean tester.

Can I make Maple Glazed Apple Blondies gluten free?

Yes! Simply swap in your favorite 1-to-1 gluten free flour blend for the all-purpose flour and they’ll turn out wonderfully. Just make sure all other ingredients (like your baking powder) are certified gluten free.

How do I know when they’re done baking?

Check for a golden brown top, gently set edges, and a toothpick inserted into the center that comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The aroma of baked apples and maple will let you know you’re on the right track with these Maple Glazed Apple Blondies!

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! Double everything and bake in a larger pan (like a half-sheet or two 11×7 pans). Just monitor the center for doneness and adjust the cook time as needed. More blondies means more smiles!

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll treat yourself—and everyone you love—to a batch of Maple Glazed Apple Blondies soon. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug from the oven, and I can’t wait for you to taste what makes these bars so special. Don’t be surprised when everyone asks for your secret (it’s the glaze!). Enjoy every delicious bite!

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