Brown Butter Apple Blondies Recipe

If you're looking for a rich, buttery dessert that encapsulates the cozy flavors of fall, look no further than Brown Butter Apple Blondies! These blondies combine the nutty richness of brown butter with the sweetness of apples and warm spices, creating a decadent, chewy bar that’s perfect for autumn gatherings, holidays, or a simple weekday treat. With the deep flavor of caramelized butter and the tart, juicy apples throughout, this dessert is sure to become a favorite. Read on to learn how to make these irresistible Brown Butter Apple Blondies, along with tips, substitutions, and presentation ideas.

this Recipe

What Are Brown Butter Apple Blondies?

Blondies are essentially a vanilla-based, caramel-flavored cousin to brownies. They’re rich, dense, and chewy, but instead of cocoa or chocolate, they rely on brown sugar and butter to create their characteristic butterscotch-like flavor. By incorporating brown butter, which adds a toasty, nutty complexity, and fresh apples for a burst of natural sweetness and moisture, Brown Butter Apple Blondies offer an unforgettable combination of flavors. The result is a dessert that is both comforting and indulgent, perfect for crisp fall days.

Ingredients List for Brown Butter Apple Blondies

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delectable blondies:

For the Brown Butter Blondie Batter:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar (light or dark, packed)
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups peeled and chopped apples (use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for tartness)

For the Glaze (optional but recommended):

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple cider or milk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is easily customizable depending on your preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few ideas for making adjustments:

1. Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture should remain chewy and delicious.
2. Dairy-Free Option: Replace the butter with a dairy-free butter substitute. Keep in mind that the flavor of browned butter may not be as pronounced, but you’ll still get a delicious treat.
3. Nutty Additions: Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for extra crunch and a complementary nutty flavor.
4. Spice It Up: Increase the cinnamon or add other warm spices like cloves, ginger, or cardamom for a spicier twist. You could even mix in a little allspice for more of a holiday flavor.
5. Apple Swaps: If you don’t have apples on hand, pears or even peaches could make for a delightful substitution.
6. White Chocolate Chips: For an extra indulgence, fold ½ cup of white chocolate chips into the batter before baking.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to make your Brown Butter Apple Blondies:

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.

2. Brown the Butter

• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the butter begins to foam and turns a golden brown color with a nutty aroma, about 5-7 minutes.
• Be careful not to let the butter burn. Once browned, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar and the browned butter, stirring until smooth.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. Add the Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

5. Fold in the Apples

• Gently fold the chopped apples into the batter. The batter will be thick, but that’s okay — it will bake up dense and chewy.

6. Spread the Batter in the Pan

• Pour the batter into the prepared 8x8-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. Smooth the top to ensure even baking.

7. Bake the Blondies

• Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. The edges should be golden brown, and the center should be set but still slightly soft.
• Remove from the oven and allow the blondies to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes.

8. Prepare the Glaze (Optional)

• While the blondies are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple cider (or milk), vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon, if desired. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar if too thin, or more liquid if too thick.
• Once the blondies are mostly cool, drizzle the glaze over the top for an extra layer of flavor and sweetness.

9. Cut and Serve

• Once the blondies have completely cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the pan. Cut them into squares or rectangles, and serve!

How to Cook Brown Butter Apple Blondies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Baking perfect blondies, especially ones as indulgent as these, comes down to a few key steps:

1. Watch the Brown Butter Closely: Browning butter adds incredible flavor, but it can easily go from golden to burnt. Stir constantly, and as soon as you see small golden flecks and smell a nutty aroma, remove it from the heat.
2. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense blondies.
3. Bake Until Just Set: For chewy, fudgy blondies, you want to bake until just set in the center. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean. Overbaking can result in dry blondies.
4. Let the Blondies Cool Completely: Although it’s tempting to dig in right away, allowing the blondies to cool completely will give them time to set, making them easier to slice and giving the flavors a chance to develop.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a straightforward recipe like Brown Butter Apple Blondies, there are a few potential pitfalls:

1. Burning the Brown Butter: Brown butter can go from perfectly nutty to burnt very quickly. Keep a close eye on it and stir continuously.
2. Overbaking: Blondies should be moist and chewy. Avoid overbaking by testing them with a toothpick at the 30-minute mark and pulling them from the oven once the center is set but still soft.
3. Skipping the Cooling Time: Blondies are dense, and they need time to cool and firm up. Cutting them while they’re still warm can result in a gooey mess, so be patient.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Brown Butter Apple Blondies are as beautiful as they are tasty. Here’s how to serve and present them:

1. Serve Warm or Room Temperature: These blondies are delicious both warm and at room temperature. If you prefer them warm, you can microwave individual bars for about 10 seconds.
2. Add a Scoop of Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent dessert, serve the blondies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cinnamon ice cream.
3. Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar: For a pretty presentation, lightly dust the blondies with powdered sugar before serving.

How to Serve Brown Butter Apple Blondies

These blondies are versatile and can be served as an afternoon treat, dessert, or even a special breakfast. They pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea, and they’re great for sharing at gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners.

Presentation Ideas for Brown Butter Apple Blondies

1. Holiday Platter: Arrange the blondies on a rustic wooden board or festive holiday platter. Garnish the tray with cinnamon sticks and apple slices for a fall-themed presentation.
2. Stacked Blondies: For a more casual presentation, stack the blondies on a cake stand or tiered dessert tray.
3. Individually Wrapped: If gifting these blondies, wrap each one in parchment paper and tie with twine for a charming, homemade touch.

Brown Butter Apple Blondies Recipe Tips

Here are a few final tips to make your blondies truly exceptional:

• Chop Apples Evenly: Cut the apples into uniform small cubes to ensure they bake evenly into the blondies.
• Storage: Store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
• **Make Ahead**: You can make the blondies a day ahead of time. They actually taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I freeze Brown Butter Apple Blondies?
A: Yes! These blondies freeze well. Once completely cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.

Q: Can I use a different type of fruit?
A: Absolutely! While apples are perfect for fall, you can swap them out for pears, peaches, or even berries depending on the season.

Q: Can I make these blondies in a different size pan?
A: You can double the recipe and use a 9x13-inch pan for a larger batch. You’ll need to adjust the baking time slightly, so check for doneness around the 40-minute mark.

Conclusion

Brown Butter Apple Blondies are the ultimate fall dessert — chewy, buttery, and bursting with the flavors of browned butter, cinnamon, and fresh apples. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or indulging in a cozy treat at home, these blondies are sure to be a hit. With their irresistible flavor and texture, they’ll quickly become one of your go-to recipes for autumn! Happy baking!

Print