Apple Blondies - The Best of Both Worlds
I am a purist at heart, so when I saw this recipe I wasn't sure if I wanted to try it. I like Apple Cake and I like Blondies - why risk messing up either of those classic recipes? But it is apple season and with my generous harvest and so many of my friends and family going to orchards to buy freshly picked fruit, we need to be brave and try some new ways to enjoy Nature's bounty. OK, here we go, Apple Blondies!
I know what you are thinking, these aren't the most exciting looking treat. In fact, I was totally underwhelmed when I took them out of the oven. I began to think of ways to dress them up. I considered caramel frosting, or maybe a maple glaze. Surely there could be something to make these poor, lumpy blondies look more tempting. Then I cut a tiny piece out of the corner, just to have a taste. No point going any further if they didn't taste better than they look. Oh my gosh! I tried another little nibble, yeap, they are that good!
I abandoned the frosting/glaze idea. These Apple Blondies don't need it. They don't need a dusting of powdered sugar unless you just want to hide a few of their more gnarly bits. But you need the recipe.....
1 cup soft brown sugar
1/2 cup butter - melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
1 cup apples - peeled, cored and finely diced
1/2 cup toasted, chopped pecans - optional (I didn't use them)
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the butter, sugar and egg. Stir in the vanilla, flour, baking powder and salt. Add the apples and pecans, stirring to distribute them through the batter.
Butter a square pan (8x8 inches) and line with a piece of baking paper. Pour the batter in to the pan, smoothing it evenly into the corners. Bake in a preheated oven, 350F/180C, for about 30 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
The recipe says to cool thoroughly before cutting into squares. Of course, our Apple Blondies had just reached the slightly warm temperature when we could no longer resist having a big square each. OK, these Apple Blondies may not be pretty, but they certainly taste pretty darn GOOD!
I know what you are thinking, these aren't the most exciting looking treat. In fact, I was totally underwhelmed when I took them out of the oven. I began to think of ways to dress them up. I considered caramel frosting, or maybe a maple glaze. Surely there could be something to make these poor, lumpy blondies look more tempting. Then I cut a tiny piece out of the corner, just to have a taste. No point going any further if they didn't taste better than they look. Oh my gosh! I tried another little nibble, yeap, they are that good!
I abandoned the frosting/glaze idea. These Apple Blondies don't need it. They don't need a dusting of powdered sugar unless you just want to hide a few of their more gnarly bits. But you need the recipe.....
1 cup soft brown sugar
1/2 cup butter - melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
1 cup apples - peeled, cored and finely diced
1/2 cup toasted, chopped pecans - optional (I didn't use them)
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the butter, sugar and egg. Stir in the vanilla, flour, baking powder and salt. Add the apples and pecans, stirring to distribute them through the batter.
Butter a square pan (8x8 inches) and line with a piece of baking paper. Pour the batter in to the pan, smoothing it evenly into the corners. Bake in a preheated oven, 350F/180C, for about 30 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
The recipe says to cool thoroughly before cutting into squares. Of course, our Apple Blondies had just reached the slightly warm temperature when we could no longer resist having a big square each. OK, these Apple Blondies may not be pretty, but they certainly taste pretty darn GOOD!
I only tried making blondies for the first time this year Debs and loved them. These look very nice, especially for the fall (I insist on calling it that!!)
ReplyDeleteIf you like apple cake and blondies, you will really like this recipe. It really is the perfect Fall treat! ; ) It is based on a recipe from the excellent American magazine, Southern Living. They always have great recipes.
DeleteThese look lovely - I do love buttercream but some things just don't need it, these blondies included!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janine! I hope you give this recipe a try. I think this is my NEW favourite apple treat.
DeleteFabulous recipe, I'm in need of apple recipes as there is still another tree in the garden yet to be picked!
ReplyDeleteGot to admit that I love eating anything that is still warm from the oven ;)
Angela
Hi Angela!
DeleteIt sounds like you had a great crop of apples this year. I was surprised how much fruit my two little trees produced. I've been doing some apple recipe research, as you can see. I like this one because it's quick, easy and uses basic store cupboard ingredients. I hope you try it and add it to your apple recipe file, too.
Thanks!
Deb
That looks delicious. Going to make and serve tomorrow with some vanilla ice cream for my girl's book club tomorrow. Never heard of a "blondie" before. What does it mean?
ReplyDeleteI think it is just a play on words. Brownies are chocolate brown, blondies are golden coloured so called Blondies. : D
DeleteI hope you and your book club enjoy them! : )
DeleteThese look fabulous Debs. I have shared the recipe with the bakers in the office in the hope they share the results with me!
ReplyDelete