This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
These Apple Blondies are going to be the hit of fall – they’re soft and almost fudgy with tons of brown sugar and cinnamon flavor, crunchy toffee bits, and sweet chopped apples – the best bar cookie for apple season!
Perfect Apple Cinnamon Blondies
I’m not kidding when I say that this cinnamon apple blondie recipe just might take up all the real estate in your brain. The added toffee bits go so well with apples plus they stay fresh for days!
Keep in mind that whatever type of apples you choose will change the end result of these apple brownies. Super sweet apples will add extra sweetness, while tart apples will add a little bit more of a bite.
Important Ingredients Needed
- Apples: Make sure that they’re peeled, cored, and diced small. This will take about 2-3 apples.
- Packed brown sugar: The amount of brown sugar keeps these super soft.
- Unsalted butter: Be sure that the butter is softened before using.
- Baking powder: This help them stay soft.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a warmth of flavor. You could also use an apple pie spice as well.
- Toffee bits: Perfect for pops of sweetness.
Variations
I add toffee bits because I love that flavor and the crunch but you could reduce or omit them and add chopped pecans or walnuts (or your favorite nut). Or skip the toffee bits and add white chocolate chips.
Skip add-ins and add a frosting – brown sugar frosting would be fantastic on these.
How to make Cinnamon Apple Blondies
- Dice the apples and place in a bowl with some water. Heat in the microwave until soft (you can also do this in a saucepan over medium heat).
- Cream butter and brown sugar – the mixture will be crumbly.
- Add the eggs, spices, salt, pure vanilla extract, and baking powder.
- Stir the flour into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- Press the blondie batter into a 9×13-inch pan. I recommend lining your pan with foil or parchment paper. The dough is sticky so you will need to add cooking spray to your fingers to press down. Bake until no longer glossy on top.
Expert Tips
- Only use a metal pan or these won’t bake properly. My images show glass because I never have issue, but I’ve found a lot of people do have issues with glass pans, so use a metal baking dish.
- While the blondies are baking in the oven, pay attention to the edges. When they start to pull away, it’s close to being baked and done. They’ll also lose their glossy sheen. These will finish cooking as they cool so don’t over bake.
Storing Blondies
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because of the apples I like to refrigerate them, they’ll also get a bit soggy if left at room temperature. To freeze, simply add the cooled blondies to a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer.
FAQs
This is all really up to what you prefer. I love using crisp and sweet apples like honeycrisp or fuji, but red delicious would be yummy as well. If you’re a fan of tart apples and desserts, give this recipe a try using granny smith apples and then let me know what you think!
Your bars should be soft, but not mushy. There is a difference. If the blondies are too soft, they may need more time in the oven. Also, they will firm up as they cool. Wait and give them some time to cool down before cutting and serving.
Great question! This is something that I haven’t tried to do, but it’s worth a shot. The natural sweetness of the apples may mean that you can cut down on the added sugar. If you do reduce the sugar, I’d say to cut it down to just adding 1 cup.
Apple Toffee Blondies Recipe
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups (210g) apples, peeled, cored, and diced small (about 2-3 apples)
- 1 ½ cups (300g) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter , softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 cups (248g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (152g) toffee bits
Instructions
- Make sure to dice the apples very small. Place in a small bowl and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes. Cool 15 minutes and drain well before making bars.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13” METAL pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Only use a metal pan for best results.
- Cream brown sugar and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined. Add baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and flour and mix.
- Mix in the apples and toffee bits.
- Press into prepared pan (dough is very wet and sticky, spray your hands with cooking spray to avoid it sticking to your hands). Bake for about 30-35 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the center just loses the wet look.
- Cool bars completely before cutting.
- Make the caramel: melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add the brown sugar and stir until the mixture boils. Boil for 1 minute without stirring. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla and heavy cream. Transfer to a jar to cool.
- Serve bars with a generous drizzle of caramel. Store bars in a covered container for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
- You can use any kind of apples you prefer, but I like Granny Smith for a tart bite, since the bars are super sweet.
- These will be very soft even when done – the apples keep them gooey.
- They’re done when they’re golden and just lose their glossy sheen. Err on the side over a bit over baked – don’t worry, the apples will keep them moist.
Recipe Nutrition
Apple Blondies are the perfect cookie bar for fall! Brown Sugar Cinnamon Apple Blondie bars have toffee bits and tons of caramel flavor. They stay soft for days!
Would these work in an 8×8 pan if I cut the recipe in half? Thank you!
Most if not all recipes slated for 9×13 if cut in half will fit in an 8×8 or 9×9 square pan.
Yes!
Any certain type of apple?
You can use any kind. Granny Smith will stay firmer after baking, fuji/gala will soften more.
Do you have apple crisp recipes with oatmeal?
Thanks
Therefore, eat blueberries whenever you get a chance in any form you like.
If you choose diet shakes, be careful to choose those containing more fiber with less sugar.
If you wish to get the highest possible concentration of antioxidants,
pure cocoa beans, or cocoa supplements can be purchased
for an affordable price.
I can’t even handle that it’s apple season right now – I feel like I’m not ready! And WHAT, you can bake with candy corn? Show me your ways. That sounds awesome!
Featured In
Rate This Recipe
Recipe Ratings without Comment