Chewy Spiced Apple Blondies
Discover the perfect fall treat with chewy spiced apple blondies—moist, flavorful, and utterly irresistible in every bite. These delightful bars combine the warm embrace of autumn spices with tender apples all wrapped up in a golden, chewy blondie base that’s sure to become your new favorite indulgence. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings or cozy weekend snacks, these chewy spiced apple blondies hit every note of comfort and sweetness you crave.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Warm, comforting flavors: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh apple pieces creates a taste that feels like a cozy hug in every bite.
- Perfectly chewy texture: These blondies balance moistness and firmness, giving you a satisfying chew without being dry or cakey.
- Simple ingredients: Made with pantry staples and fresh apples, this recipe is easy to follow and doesn’t require exotic items.
- Versatile snack or dessert: Whether as a midday treat or a dessert after dinner, these blondies fit any occasion.
- Seasonal star: The fresh apple and spiced combination is ideal for fall but enjoyable year-round whenever you want a sweet cozy hit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in these chewy spiced apple blondies plays a crucial role, marrying texture, flavor, and color into one irresistible treat. Using easy-to-find components ensures anyone can whip up this delicious dessert with confidence.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure for the blondies, helping them maintain their chewy form.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a rich caramel flavor that complements the spices and apple.
- Butter: Offers fat that enriches the batter and keeps the blondies tender and soft.
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: These warm spices give the blondies their signature spiced apple flavor.
- Fresh apples: Chopped crisp apple pieces introduce bursts of natural sweetness and moisture.
- Eggs: Bind the batter together and help create that chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall aroma and depth of flavor.
- Baking powder: Leavens the blondies just enough for a light chew without becoming cakey.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and elevates all flavors.
Variations for Chewy Spiced Apple Blondies
These chewy spiced apple blondies are incredibly adaptable! Feel free to tweak ingredients based on your preferences or diet, making it easy and fun to experiment with new flavors and textures.
- Add nuts: Walnuts or pecans can bring a delightful crunch contrasting with the chewy texture.
- Use different fruits: Pears or dried cranberries make a tasty substitution or addition to apples.
- Gluten-free version: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend without sacrificing texture.
- Spice it up: Add ground ginger or cloves for a deeper warmth in flavor.
- Make it vegan: Substitute butter with coconut oil and eggs with flax eggs for a plant-based twist.
How to Make Chewy Spiced Apple Blondies
Step 1: Prepare your ingredients
Preheat your oven and grease or line a baking pan with parchment paper. Chop fresh apples into small, even pieces to ensure they cook evenly within the blondies.
Step 2: Cream butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy and light, which builds the foundation for the moist and chewy texture.
Step 3: Add eggs and vanilla
Mix in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract to bring out layers of aroma.
Step 4: Combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed.
Step 5: Incorporate dry mixture and apples
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Once combined, carefully fold in the chopped apples to avoid breaking up their texture.
Step 6: Bake and cool
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let the blondies cool completely before slicing for the perfect chew.
Pro Tips for Making Chewy Spiced Apple Blondies
- Use tart apples: Choose Granny Smith or similar apples to balance sweetness with a slight tang.
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smooth mixing and better texture.
- Don’t overmix: Overworking the batter can lead to tough blondies, so fold ingredients just until combined.
- Check baking time carefully: Baking too long dries out the blondies—aim for slightly underdone to keep them chewy.
- Let cool fully: Blondies firm up as they cool, so slicing too soon might cause crumbling.
How to Serve Chewy Spiced Apple Blondies
Garnishes
Dust the top with powdered sugar or a light drizzle of caramel sauce to add a touch of elegance and extra sweetness that complements the spices.
Side Dishes
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience that balances warm and cold contrasts.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the blondies into bite-sized squares for party platters or sandwich a piece between layers of spiced cream cheese frosting for a fun twist on the classic bar.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store cooled chewy spiced apple blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for up to five days to maintain freshness.
Freezing
Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag for up to three months—thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Reheating
Warm blondies briefly in the microwave or oven to revive their soft, chewy texture and enhance those cozy spiced apple aromas.
FAQs
Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?
While fresh apples are preferred for texture, you can use thawed, well-drained frozen apples, though the blondies may become slightly more moist.
Are chewy spiced apple blondies gluten-free?
Traditional recipes use all-purpose flour, but you can easily substitute with a gluten-free flour blend to make them gluten-free.
How long do these blondies stay fresh?
Stored properly, they stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days at room temperature or in the fridge.
Can I make these blondies vegan?
Yes! Replace butter with plant-based oil or vegan butter and use flax or chia eggs as an egg substitute.
Do I have to peel the apples?
Peeling is optional—leaving the skin on adds extra nutrients and texture, but peeling will yield a smoother bite.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about chewy spiced apple blondies—their warm spices, tender apples, and rich chewiness combine to create a dessert that feels like a celebration of fall in every bite. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just yourself, this recipe delivers comfort and joy on a plate. Give it a try and experience just how irresistible these blondies can be!
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Chewy Spiced Apple Blondies
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 16 blondies (squares) 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free flour blend)
Description
Chewy Spiced Apple Blondies are a moist, flavorful fall treat combining tender apples with warm autumn spices in a golden, chewy blondie base. Perfect as a cozy snack or dessert, they balance sweetness and spice with a satisfying texture that’s easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for vegan)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh Fruits
- 1 cup fresh apples, chopped (tart apples like Granny Smith recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Chop fresh apples into small, even pieces to ensure they cook evenly within the blondies.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy and light, which builds the foundation for a moist and chewy texture.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in vanilla extract to bring out layers of aroma.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour (or gluten-free blend), baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed.
- Incorporate dry mixture and apples: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Once combined, carefully fold in the chopped apples to keep their texture intact.
- Bake and cool: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let the blondies cool completely before slicing to achieve the perfect chewy texture.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance sweetness with a slight tang.
- Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smooth mixing and better texture.
- Fold ingredients just until combined to avoid tough blondies.
- Avoid overbaking to keep blondies moist and chewy; they should be slightly underdone when removed from the oven.
- Allow blondies to cool fully before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Peeling the apples is optional and affects texture and nutrient content.
- For variations, add nuts, substitute with pears or dried cranberries, use gluten-free flour, add more spices like ginger or cloves, or make vegan by using coconut oil and flax eggs.
- Store blondies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze slices for up to 3 months.
- Reheat briefly in microwave or oven to restore softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie (1/16 of batch)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: spiced apple blondies, chewy apple blondies, fall dessert, apple dessert bars, gluten-free blondies, vegan apple blondies
