Name: Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter; 1/2 cup apple butter; 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled (if desired) and chopped (about 2 cups); 1/2 cup brown sugar (for apples); 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for apples); 3 tablespoons salted butter; 3 tablespoons maple syrup; 1/2 – 3/4 cup powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 pinch flaky sea salt

If you’re searching for a cozy dessert that perfectly captures the flavors of fall, you’ve got to try my Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe. These blondies are rich, soft, and bursting with warm spices and fresh apple goodness, all topped with a heavenly cinnamon maple glaze that will have you reaching for seconds (and thirds). Trust me, once you bake these, they’ll quickly become a family favorite you’ll want to make every season.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Irresistible Fall Flavors: The combination of browned butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh apples creates a warm, comforting taste that screams autumn.
Perfect Texture: Soft and gooey blondies balanced with tender apple chunks make every bite satisfyingly delightful.
Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet vibe, this recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly, making it perfect for any home cook.

The image shows two triangular bars leaning against each other on a wooden board with a cinnamon stick nearby. Each bar has a thick, light brown base with a slightly crumbly texture, filled with visible chunks of nuts and possibly dried fruit, giving darker brown and creamy white spots inside. The bars are drizzled with a light tan glaze in thin lines across the top and sides. Next to the bars is a white cup with a red rim containing a dark liquid and two cinnamon sticks inside. The background is blurred but shows more bars on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze, fall apple blondies, cozy dessert recipes, cinnamon glazed blondies, easy apple dessert

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to create those comforting apple blondies with an extra special maple glaze. Each adds a unique touch, from the nutty brown butter base to the sweetness of apple butter. I always recommend fresh Honeycrisp apples for the best texture and flavor punch.

Flat lay of golden browned butter in a small pool, glossy apple butter in a jar, light and dark brown sugars heaped with cinnamon sticks resting beside, chopped Honeycrisp apples with their red and yellow skin peeking through, whole eggs with smooth shells, warm maple syrup glistening in a shallow puddle, a sprinkle of fine powdered sugar dusted delicately nearby, and a few nutmeg seeds scattered artistically, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze, fall apple blondies, cozy dessert recipes, cinnamon glazed blondies, easy apple dessert

Salted butter: Browning your butter adds a nutty, deep flavor that really elevates these blondies—don’t rush this step!
Apple butter: Adds moisture and concentrated apple flavor, giving the blondies that irresistible fall vibe.
Light brown sugar: For sweetness and that lovely chewiness blondies are known for.
Eggs: They bind everything perfectly and help to create a tender crumb.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the warm spices and apple flavors.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure—be sure to measure properly to avoid dryness.
Baking powder: Just enough to give a little lift without being cakey.
Cinnamon: Essential for that cozy spice note throughout.
Nutmeg: Adds depth and warmth to the spice mix.
Kosher salt: Balances the sweet and enhances all the flavors.
Honeycrisp apples: I love these for their crisp texture and perfect sweetness; peel them if you prefer a softer bite.
Maple syrup: Brings natural sweetness and complexity to the glaze.
Powdered sugar: For a smooth, silky glaze that sticks beautifully to the blondies.
Flaky sea salt: A finishing touch that cranks up the flavor contrast and looks delightful.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this recipe is so adaptable. I often tweak it depending on what I have around or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment—you can’t really go wrong with these comforting flavors!

Gluten-Free Version: I once swapped all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and it turned out just as good—just be sure to use a blend that includes xanthan gum for texture.
Less Sweet Option: If you prefer less sweetness, try reducing the brown sugar slightly or cut back a bit on the maple syrup in the glaze.
Mixed Spices: Adding a pinch of ground ginger or cloves can add even more autumn warmth—I love this for holiday variations!
Nut Addition: Toasted pecans or walnuts folded into the batter give a satisfying crunch my family adores.

How to Make Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Brown the butter and mix the base

The magic really starts here. Melt your salted butter over medium heat, stirring often until it turns golden brown and smells nutty—about 2 to 3 minutes. Keep an eye on it because it can go from perfect to burnt quickly. Then, take it off the heat and whisk in the apple butter straight away. This combo adds rich depth and apple sweetness that you won’t get with just one or the other. Next, stir in 1 cup of light brown sugar and let the mixture cool slightly—this prevents the eggs from cooking when you add them.

Step 2: Combine the batter and dry ingredients

Once your brown butter mixture is cool enough, whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt. Add that to the wet ingredients and stir gently until just mixed—overmixing can make your blondies tough, so resist the urge to keep stirring!

Step 3: Prepare the apples and assemble

Chop your Honeycrisp apples into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. In a small bowl, toss them with ½ cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to help release their juices and add spice. Pour your blondie batter evenly into a parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking dish. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar apples evenly on top. This step is where all the apple-y goodness gets locked into the blondies as they bake.

Step 4: Bake the blondies until just set

Slide the pan into the oven preheated to 350°F and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the center—the blondies should be set but still moist. If you spot any apple liquid pooling in the middle, use a knife to gently swirl it around the pan so it bakes in evenly, then return it to the oven for another 5 minutes. This little swirl trick helped me fix a soggy center the first time I made these blondies, so I never skip it now!

Step 5: Make the luscious cinnamon maple glaze

While your blondies cool, it’s time to make the glaze. Brown 3 tablespoons salted butter in a small pot just like before, then whisk in 3 tablespoons maple syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of flaky sea salt until smooth and glossy. I love how this glaze adds a sweet-spicy finish with a subtle crunch of sea salt that balances everything perfectly. Let it cool for a minute, then drizzle evenly over the blondies and let it set for 5 minutes before cutting.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe

Master Brown Butter: Stir constantly and watch closely to avoid burning, and pull from heat as soon as it’s golden and nutty.
Use Tart-Sweet Apples: I love Honeycrisp for their balance of sweet and tart, which holds up well when baked.
Don’t Overmix Your Batter: Mix until just combined; this keeps your blondies tender and light.
Check for Doneness Early: Blondies can go from chewy to dry quickly, so start checking 5 minutes before the timer.

How to Serve Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe

The image shows three square bars stacked vertically on a wooden surface with a single bite taken from the top bar. Each bar has a thick, crumbly base layer in light brown with small white nut pieces embedded inside. On top of the base, there is a layer of darker brown chunks with a soft texture, drizzled with thick, pale caramel-colored frosting in thin, uneven lines. A cinnamon stick is placed near the bottom left corner, and a white mug with a red rim and two cinnamon sticks inside is partially visible to the right. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze, fall apple blondies, cozy dessert recipes, cinnamon glazed blondies, easy apple dessert

Garnishes

I usually finish these blondies off with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and sometimes a pinch of extra cinnamon for a little boost. If I’m feeling fancy, adding a few crushed toasted pecans on top of the glaze before it sets adds a lovely crunch and nutty contrast.

Side Dishes

These blondies shine as a standalone treat, but I like to serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert. A warm cup of chai tea or spiced coffee also pairs beautifully if you’re enjoying it as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to cut the blondies into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a wooden board with fresh apple slices and tiny bowls of extra glaze for dipping. It’s a fun, rustic presentation that always impresses guests and makes it easy for everyone to snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! For best texture, store them without glaze and add the glaze fresh before serving if possible.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these blondies before, both glazed and unglazed. When freezing, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm gently in the oven and add fresh glaze for the best experience—this way, they taste just like freshly baked.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a blondie in the microwave for about 15 seconds or warm in a low oven around 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes the gooey texture and deepens the flavors, especially if you drizzle a little extra maple syrup over the top before reheating.

FAQs

Can I substitute regular butter for salted butter in this recipe?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter instead of salted, but be sure to add a bit more salt to balance the flavors—about an extra 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt should do the trick.
Do I have to peel the apples for the blondies?

Peeling is optional. I like the texture with the peel on for a bit of added bite and color, but if you prefer a smoother blondie, peeling is a great option.
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?

Look for edges that are golden and a center that’s set but still slightly soft. If you see liquid around the apples in the center, swirl it gently and give it more time to bake. Avoid overbaking to keep them moist and gooey.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can try using a dairy-free butter alternative that browns well, such as certain brands of vegan butter. The flavor profile might be a little different, but you can still achieve a delicious blondie.
What kind of maple syrup is best for the glaze?

I recommend using pure maple syrup for the richest flavor. Grade A amber or dark varieties work wonderfully because they have a robust sweetness that pairs perfectly with cinnamon and brown butter.

Final Thoughts

This Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation, especially once the air grows crisp and leaves start falling. I love how it brings together the cozy warmth of brown butter and spices with the freshness of juicy apples—all wrapped up in a gooey, tender bite. It’s the kind of recipe that’s both comforting and a little bit elegant, perfect for casual family nights or impressing guests. I can’t wait for you to try these and fall as hard for them as we did!