Caramel Apple Blondies Recipe
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup Granny Smith apples, peeled and finely diced
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) for drizzling
- 1/4 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramels (optional, for the batter)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides to easily lift the blondies out later. Lightly grease the parchment with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and light brown sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating vigorously until the batter looks shiny and slightly lightened in color.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon directly into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to gently fold the mixture together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the blondies tough.
- Gently fold in the finely diced apples and the caramel bits (if using). Ensure the apples are evenly distributed throughout the thick batter. The moisture from the apples will help create a soft, tender crumb during the baking process.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake!
- Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top in a decorative zigzag pattern. For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing into 12 squares.