Brown Butter Apple Blondies Recipe

Craving a rich, buttery dessert with the cozy flavors of apple and cinnamon? These Brown Butter Apple Blondies are the perfect treat! Featuring nutty brown butter, tender apple pieces, and a chewy, decadent blondie base, this recipe is a delightful twist on classic blondies. Whether you’re making them for a fall gathering, a cozy night in, or simply because you love apple desserts, these blondies are sure to be a hit. Read on for the full recipe, tips, and tricks to make the best batch of blondies ever!

What are “Brown Butter Apple Blondies”?

Brown Butter Apple Blondies are a rich, chewy dessert made with browned butter, apples, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Blondies are similar to brownies, but instead of a chocolate base, they use brown sugar for a sweet, caramel-like flavor. The addition of brown butter gives these blondies an extra layer of nuttiness and depth, while the apples add sweetness and moisture. These bars are perfect for fall but are delicious any time of year!

Ingredients List for Brown Butter Apple Blondies

For the Blondie Base:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 large apple (about 1 ½ cups), peeled and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work well)

For the Glaze (Optional but recommended):

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, browned
• 2-3 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is very flexible, and you can make it your own with these substitution ideas:

• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that’s designed for baking.
• Dairy-Free: Substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative, and use almond milk or coconut milk in the glaze.
• Sweeteners: Replace the light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a deeper, molasses-like flavor.
• Fruits: Try substituting the apples with pears for a unique twist, or add dried cranberries or raisins for extra flavor.
• Nuts: Fold in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for extra crunch.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

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

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
2. Brown the Butter:
   • In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat.
   • Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the butter foams and turns a rich amber color with a nutty aroma. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
   • Remove from heat and transfer the browned butter to a large mixing bowl. Allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
   • To the slightly cooled browned butter, add the packed brown sugar and whisk until combined.
   • Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
   • Stir in the vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Fold in the Apples:
   • Gently fold the diced apples into the batter. The apples should be evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Spread the Batter into the Pan:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared 9x13-inch pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
7. Bake:
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
   • Remove from the oven and let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Making the Optional Brown Butter Glaze

1. Brown the Butter for the Glaze:
   • In a small saucepan, brown 2 tablespoons of butter, following the same process used earlier for the blondie base.
   • Once browned, remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Glaze:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, browned butter, vanilla extract, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk or cream until smooth.
   • If the glaze is too thick, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
   • Optionally, add a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the flavor.
3. Glaze the Blondies:
   • Once the blondies have cooled completely, drizzle or spread the glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before cutting into squares.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overbrowning the Butter: Brown butter can burn easily if left unattended. Keep a close eye on it and stir frequently once it starts to foam and turn brown. Remove it from heat as soon as it reaches a deep amber color.
• Overmixing the Batter: Overmixing can result in dense blondies. Mix the dry and wet ingredients just until combined to keep the blondies soft and chewy.
• Cutting Too Soon: Let the blondies cool completely before cutting into them, especially if you plan to add the glaze. Cutting while they are warm can cause them to crumble or the glaze to melt.

Serving and Presentation Tips

How to Serve Brown Butter Apple Blondies

• Serve these blondies at room temperature for the perfect chewy texture.
• For a warm and comforting dessert, reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
• Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent treat.

Presentation Ideas for Brown Butter Apple Blondies

• Drizzle Extra Glaze: After cutting the blondies into squares, drizzle extra glaze in a zigzag pattern for a professional finish.
• Top with Cinnamon: Lightly dust the tops of the blondies with ground cinnamon or powdered sugar for a simple but elegant presentation.
• Apple Garnish: For a fun and seasonal touch, serve with thin slices of fresh apple or apple chips on the side.

Brown Butter Apple Blondies Recipe Tips

• Storage: Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They will become more firm when refrigerated.
• Freezing: These blondies freeze well! Cut them into individual squares and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
• Make Ahead: You can make the blondies a day ahead of time. Prepare the glaze fresh and apply it just before serving for the best texture and appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use other types of apples in this recipe?
A: Yes! You can use any variety of apples, but Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji are ideal because they hold up well during baking and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.

Q: How can I make these blondies more moist?
A: Adding an extra egg yolk or increasing the amount of diced apples slightly can result in a moister blondie. Be careful not to add too much moisture, or the blondies may become too dense.

Q: Can I skip the glaze?
A: Absolutely! The blondies are delicious on their own without the glaze. If you prefer a less sweet dessert or are short on time, you can serve them without it.

Q: What other spices can I add?
A: In addition to cinnamon and nutmeg, you can experiment with other warm spices like ground cloves, ginger, or allspice for a spiced blondie version.

Q: Can I use brown butter in the glaze?
A: Yes! Brown butter adds a delicious nutty flavor to the glaze, making it extra rich. Just be sure to let the browned butter cool slightly before mixing it with the powdered sugar to avoid melting the glaze.

Conclusion

These Brown Butter Apple Blondies are the perfect fall dessert, combining the nutty flavor of browned butter with sweet, spiced apples and a chewy blondie base. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family gathering or just indulging your sweet tooth, these blondies will satisfy any dessert craving. The addition of the brown butter glaze takes them to the next level, making each bite a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Happy baking!

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