Ingredients
Creating these blondie bars is a joyous experience, and part of the magic lies in their simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, but adds a delightful crunch)
If you’re out of walnuts, pecans make an excellent substitute, and for those who prefer a dairy-free version, coconut oil can replace the butter seamlessly.
Instructions
Let’s get baking! Follow these steps to create your own batch of delightful Apple Cinnamon Blondie Bars:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg, filling the mixture with rich, warm spice.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the diced apples and walnuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing them into squares.
Pro tip from my kitchen to yours: use a mix of apple varieties for a more complex flavor profile. This was something my mom swore by, and it never fails to make these bars even more irresistible.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International