Rich, moist, and gooey, these Apple Cinnamon Blondies are just like your favorite cookie bar, but with a fall flavored twist. With brown sugar, diced apples, and a cinnamon glaze, these sweet treats are next level delicious.
This blog post and recipe is sponsored by Michigan Apple Committee. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting brands that make A Paige Of Positivity possible.
Apple Blondie Bars
Ok, I love fall. Growing up in Michigan, I was spoiled with easy accessibility to apple picking, going to cider mills (if you’ve never been, put it on your list), and strolling around the pumpkin patches. When I lived in Georgia, I realized not everyone had the luxury of picking fresh apples straight off the tree.
Luckily, these Cinnamon Apple Blondies are the perfect fall desert that take advantage my favorite fall flavors, yet they’re made with pantry staples and just one fresh, seasonal apple. I can’t wait to hear what you think of these!
They’re rich, moist, and remind me of a blondie with a fall season twist. I added a light cinnamon glaze which I don’t recommend you skip, as it takes the cookie bar to a whole new level.
And if you’re looking for more apple desserts, also try these Apple Nachos, this Caramel Apple Galette, these Apple Cream Cheese Danishes, these Apple and Peanut Butter Snack Balls, or these Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling, all of which I know you will love, too!
About Michigan Apples
As a proud Michigander, I wanted to highlight some interesting facts about The Michigan Apple Committee.
- Michigan is home to over 16 different apple varieties!
- Michigan produces roughly 20% of the United State’s apples, that’s over a billion pounds of apples!!
- The unique climate and soil conditions in Michigan, particularly around the Great Lakes, provide an ideal environment for growing high quality apples!
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter – We will melt the butter, which helps create a chewier texture.
- Light Brown Sugar – Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds moisture to the dough, leading to a softer, richer cookie bar.
- Cinnamon – Don’t skimp on it! This brings out the fall flavors
- Apples – Diced finely so you get chunks of apples in each bite. I like Honey Crisp apples best!
- Glaze – We will make a homemade glaze with powdered sugar, cinnamon and a splash of milk.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Dice the apple and line the 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
2. In a microwave safe mixing bowl, melt the butter in 30 second intervals, until fully melted. Allow it to cool slightly, then whisk in the brown sugar ensuring there is no ‘standing’ butter on top of the sugar layer.
3. Whisk in the vanilla extract and egg.
4. Add in the dry ingredients: all purpose flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Fold together until the batter forms.
5. Fold in almost all of the diced apples, saving a few for the top. Place into the greased lined pan. You’ll need to use a rubber spatula to evenly spread the blondies into the pan.
6. Press the remaining apples into the top of the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the middle of the blondies are cooked.
7. Allow the blondies to cool and then drizzle with icing.
8. To make the icing: whisk together powdered sugar, milk & cinnamon together until it is thin enough to drizzle, but thick enough to harden. If needed, add more milk or powdered sugar to reach desired consistency!)
Fun Idea
Use fall shaped cookie cutters on these bars instead of slicing into squares for a super festive treat. I just ordered these leaf and pumpkin cookie cutters from Amazon that I’m so excited to use through the fall.
Recipe FAQs
I like to store these in the refrigerator. When chilled, this blondie recipe has the best doughy texture! They’ll stay good for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
You MUST line your pan and grease it, too. This is SO important; your apple pie blondies will stick to the pan if not sprayed or lined properly. The apple caramelizes with the brown sugar and butter creating a sticky texture when cooled. Lining the pan is an easy way to ensure clean cuts.
Absolutely! Gluten Free 1:1 baking flour will work just fine for these bars. Dairy free? No problem, just swap out the butter for a plant based version like Earth Balance. You should also be able to use coconut oil, but I’ve not tried it. Use almond milk in place of dairy milk for the glaze.
Serving suggestions
Next time you want to have a fall themed dinner party, make this Fall Harvest Salad with this Baked Spaghetti Squash Casserole and enjoy your Apple Cinnamon Blondies as the perfect fall dessert! Maybe even with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream on top:)
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating and comment in the recipe card below. Thanks for visiting!
Apple Cinnamon Blondies
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Rubber Spatula
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 8 x 8 baking pan
- parchment paper
Ingredients
Blondies
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 large apple, finely diced
Icing
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Dice the apple and line the 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a microwave safe mixing bowl, melt the butter in 30 second intervals, until fully melted. Allow it to cool slightly, then whisk in the brown sugar ensuring there is no ‘standing’ butter on top of the sugar layer.
- Whisk in the vanilla extract and egg.
- Add in the dry ingredients: all purpose flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Fold together until the batter forms.
- Fold in almost all of the diced apples, saving a few for the top. Place into the greased lined pan. You’ll need to use a rubber spatula to evenly spread the blondies into the pan.
- Press the remaining apples into the top of the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the middle of the blondies are cooked.
- While the blondies bake, make the icing. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk & cinnamon together. If needed, add more milk or powdered sugar to reach desired consistency! You want it thin enough to drizzle, but thick enough to harden.
- Allow the blondies to cool and then drizzle with icing. Slice and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
more of our favorite Apple Dessert Recipes…
- Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip
- Strawberry Apple Crisp with Streusel Topping
- Apple Nachos
- Cream Cheese Apple Danishes
- Apple Galette with Puff Pastry
- Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
- Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Simple Apple Pie with Store Bought Crust
- Apple Cinnamon Bars
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
From one Michigan girl to another – if you want Fall in a bite, make these blondies ASAP!
So quick and easy to make, my boyfriend and I devoured them in 2 days (and that was controlling ourselves)! I used pumpkin pie spice, and left the caramel drizzle extra runny to basically coat the whole pan and they were perfect.
Ahh!! Another MI gal, love to hear it.
Can this recipe be doubled for a 13×9 baking pan??
Hi LuAnn, I haven’t tried that; but if you do, please reduce the baking time as it will need adjusting.
they ooey-gooey almost fudge like texture is for me. I’m not sure if I should’ve baked them longer, but I absolutely loved how rich and soft the inside of these bars were
These are so flavorful! Love these in the fall with a glass of cider.
These were made for me with apples fresh from the orchard. I was going to eat one square and save the other three but I ate all four because they were so delicious! I will request them again soon:)
How long do you bake them? It doesn’t specify in the recipe
Hi Jules! 30-35 minutes. The recipe card has been updated to reflect this – hope you enjoy!
Salted or unsalted butter?
unsalted! I will adjust