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Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Maple Frosting

Looking for a delicious fall treat? Look no further than these brown butter apple blondies! This recipe combines the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter with the sweetness of apples for a dessert that’s sure to please.

brownies on a spatula.

To make these blondies, you’ll start by browning the butter, which adds a depth of flavor to the finished product.

Then, you’ll mix in apples, cinnamon, and other warm spices to create a cozy, comforting dessert that’s perfect for chilly autumn evenings.

Whether you’re serving these blondies at a party or just enjoying them at home with a cup of tea, they’re sure to be a hit.

So why not give this recipe a try and see for yourself how delicious they can be?

If you want some other fall recipes, be sure to try my fluffy cinnamon coffee cake bread, warm baked cinnamon apples, or flaky apple turnovers!

Blondies with cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love Apple Blondie Brownies

If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your collection of apple desserts, you’ll definitely want to try brown butter apple blondies.

  • These delicious treats are a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, with the added bonus of fresh apples baked right in.
  • One of the best things about brown butter apple blondies is that they’re incredibly versatile. You can use any type of apple you like, but some of the best apples for baking include Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady.
  • The extra apples give the brownies a juicy, fruity flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich, nutty taste of brown butter.
  • In addition to their delicious flavor, brown butter apple blondies are also incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of baking time, you can have a batch of these tasty treats ready to enjoy in no time.
homemaker mixing blondie ingredients in a glass bowl.

Apple Blondie Ingredients

To make delicious brown butter apple blondies, you will need a variety of ingredients. Here are the ingredients you will need and why they are important:

Blondie Batter

  • Unsalted Butter: This is for browned butter, which gives the blondies a nutty and rich flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: This is the main ingredient for the batter and provides the structure and texture of the blondies.
  • Baking Powder: This helps the blondies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: This enhances the flavor of the blondies and balances the sweetness.
  • Ground Cinnamon: This spice adds a warm and cozy flavor to the blondies.
  • Ground Nutmeg: This spice adds a subtle nutty and earthy flavor to the blondies.
  • Light Brown Sugar: This sweetener adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor to the blondies.
  • Large Eggs: These help bind the ingredients together and provide moisture.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: This adds a sweet and floral flavor to the blondies.

Apples

  • Peeled Chopped Apples: These provide a juicy and sweet flavor to the blondies.
  • Ground Cinnamon: This spice enhances the flavor of the apples and complements the cinnamon in the batter.

Maple Frosting

  • Cream Cheese: This provides a tangy and creamy flavor to the frosting.
  • Butter: This adds richness and a smooth texture to the frosting.
  • Confectioners Sugar: This sweetener adds sweetness and helps thicken the frosting.
  • Maple Syrup: This adds a sweet and rich flavor to the frosting and complements the flavors in the blondies.
Diced apples being mixed in a glass bowl with batter.

How to Make these Apple Blondies

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy treat to make this fall, look no further than these brown butter apple blondies!

Here’s how to make them:

  1. Mix your Blondie Batter ingredients– In a large mixing bowl, whisk your dry ingredients. Add to the dry ingredients the wet ingredients. It will be a thick batter, but try to get it all mixed well.
  2. Add your apples– Once you’ve peeled and diced your apples, sprinkle with ground cinnamon and stir to coat the apples. Add them to the batter and mix well.
  3. Bake your Blondies– Pour the batter in a greased 9×13 baking dish or a parchment lined dish. Press the batter so that it fills the dish. Bake.
  4. Maple Frosting– While the brownies bake, mix your maple frosting until it is all combined and smooth. I like to use an electric mixer for this, but you can also mix it with your own elbow grease.
Woman making browned butter in her kitchen.

Making the Brown Butter

If you’re looking to add some depth and nuttiness to your apple blondies, brown butter is the way to go.

Making brown butter is simple, but requires a bit of attention to detail.

Here’s how you can achieve the perfect brown butter for your blondies.

Melting the Butter

To start, you’ll need regular butter. You can use any type of butter, but unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the saltiness of the final product.

Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan or pot.

It’s important to use a light-colored skillet or saucepan so you can see the color of the butter as it browns.

Stir the butter occasionally as it melts, and keep a close eye on it as it starts to brown.

The milk solids in the butter will start to brown and give off a nutty aroma.

Achieving the Nutty Aroma

Once you start to smell the nutty aroma, you’re close to achieving the perfect brown butter.

Keep stirring the butter until it turns a light brown color. This should take about 2-3 minutes after the nutty aroma appears.

Remove the butter from the heat immediately and pour it into a heat-safe container to stop the cooking process.

Be careful not to over-brown the butter, as it can quickly turn from nutty to burnt.

The brown butter is now ready to be used in your blondie recipe. You can also use it to make a delicious brown butter icing to top your blondies.

By browning the butter, you’ll add a depth of nutty flavors to your blondies that regular butter just can’t provide.

Don’t skip this step – it’s well worth the extra effort!

Woman smoothing on cream cheese frosting on brownies.

Creating the Sweet Maple Frosting

To take your brown butter apple blondies to the next level, you’ll want to add a sweet maple glaze.

This frosting is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.

Here’s how to do it:

Mixing the Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup, 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar, 1 stick softened butter, 8 ounces room temperature cream cheese and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.

Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth.

If you can’t get it silky smooth, use an electric mixer to whip it together.

Applying the Frosting

Once your blondies have finished baking and have cooled, it’s time to apply the frosting.

Next, pour the sweet maple frosting over the top of the blondies, making sure to spread it evenly with a spatula.

If you want an extra touch of flavor, you can sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the frosting.

Let the frosting set for a few minutes before slicing and serving your delicious brown butter apple blondies.

Note that you can also use this glaze as a maple frosting or maple icing for other baked goods.

Tips for Apple Blondie Brownies

If you’re looking to make the perfect batch of brown butter apple blondies, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Choose the right apples: For this recipe, it’s best to use apples that hold their shape and don’t turn to mush when baked. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady are all good choices.
  • Brown your butter: Brown butter adds a nutty, caramel-like flavor to these blondies. To brown your butter, melt it in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns a golden brown color.
  • Don’t overmix: When you’re mixing the wet and dry ingredients together, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can result in tough, dense blondies.
  • Use parchment paper: To make it easier to remove your blondies from the pan, line it with parchment paper before baking.
  • Add a sprinkle of sea salt: A small sprinkle of sea salt on top of your blondies before baking can really bring out the flavors of the brown butter and apples.

Variations for Apple Blondies with Maple Frosting

If you’re looking to switch things up with your brown butter apple blondies, try experimenting with some of these variations:

  • Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts can add a nice crunch to your blondies. Try mixing them into the batter before baking.
  • Swap the apples: While Granny Smith apples are a classic choice for baking, you can use any firm, tart apple that you like. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn apples are all good options.
  • Try a different frosting: While maple frosting is a delicious complement to the flavors of the blondies, you can also try topping them with cream cheese frosting, salted caramel frosting, or even a simple vanilla glaze.
  • Add spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger all pair well with the flavors of apple and brown butter. Try adding a teaspoon of your favorite spice to the batter before baking.
  • Make them gluten-free: If you’re avoiding gluten, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Just be sure to check that all of your other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
blondie brownie bite on a fork.

How to Store Leftovers

Once you’ve made these delicious brown butter apple blondies, you’ll likely have some leftovers that you want to save for later.

Here are some tips for storing your blondies to keep them fresh and tasty:

  • Airtight container: Store your blondies in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out. You can use a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or a glass container with a snap-on lid. Make sure the container is large enough to hold all of your blondies without squishing them together.
  • Room temperature: You can store your blondies at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you’re storing them in a warm or humid environment, they may not last as long.
  • Refrigerator: If you want to keep your blondies for longer than 3 days, you can store them in the refrigerator. Wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. They will last for up to a week in the fridge.
  • Freezer: You can also freeze your blondies for longer storage. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
freezer breakfast ebook cover page

Brown Butter Apple Blondies Recipe

apple blondie brownies with cream cheese maple frosting.

Brown Butter Apple Blondie with Maple Frosting

Liz Quick
This thick, chewy blondie brownie filled with crisp apples and topped with a sweet maple frosting is a perfect fall dessert!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 9×13 pan
Calories 98 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9 x 13 baking dish

Ingredients
  

Blondie Batter

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, for browned butter
  • 2⅓ cup all purpose flour
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1⅔ cups light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Apples

  • 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Maple Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare your 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or grease it well.

Make the Batter

  • Begin by making your browned butter. Place 2 sticks of butter in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter forms a film on top and turn a brown color- about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • In a large bowl of your electric mixer, add the dry ingredients- flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg- and whisk.
  • Add in the eggs, vanilla, and cooled butter. Mix well.
  • In a bowl, combine the diced apples and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Mix and then add to the batter. Mix until combined.
  • Pour the batter in your prepared dish and press down so the batter fills the dish.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the blondies are golden brown. Let them cool while you make your frosting.

Maple frosting

  • Add your cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and maple syrup to the bowl of your electric mixer and whisk until smooth and creamy.
  • Once the brownies have cooled, pour your frosting on top of the brownies and use a spatula to spread it all over the blondies.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix: When you’re mixing the wet and dry ingredients together, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can result in tough, dense blondies.
  • Use parchment paper: To make it easier to remove your blondies from the pan, line it with parchment paper before baking.
  • Add a sprinkle of sea salt: A small sprinkle of sea salt on top of your blondies before baking can really bring out the flavors of the brown butter and apples.
Keyword apple blondie brownies, apple dessert, blondie brownies, brown butter, cinnamon apple dessert

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