These Apple Crisp Blondies are an apple crisp bar with a blondie base — the perfect combo of chewy blondie, tender apples, and crispy streusel!
This may be one of my favorite apple desserts.
I’ll be the first to admit that I can resist apple crisp no better in the spring than I can in the fall, but I guess there are people who cook and bake seasonally.
I try really hard to be to fake being one of those people, especially now as a food blogger.
However, since it’s officially fall. I can bake up as many apple desserts as I want and no one will judge, right?
So I’d seen tons of recipes all over Pinterest for apple pie bars and apple crisp bars, and I was totally going to try some of them. But then I thought, “why not a blondie?”
I love the thick, dense, chewy texture of blondies even more than I love a traditional shortbread base!
Now, I’m sure those other apple crisp bars are super amazing. But, I really like blondies.
And I really wanted to see if I could bake an apple crisp on top of them.
It took me a couple tries, but I did it.
Now you know I’m all about minimal effort and dishes. I thought about cooking down the apples on the stove first, before topping the blondie, but that seemed like too much work. I tried putting the apples right on top of the blondie batter and baking together, but the blondie just didn’t set up enough.
So I compromised. I baked the blondie part way while I microwaved the apples slightly to give them a head start and made my streusel.
It was a total win.
I’m kind of embarrassed that I didn’t go all out and mound these with ice cream while I was photographing them. Because what goes better with apple crisp than vanilla ice cream?
Exactly.
This time, you’ll just have to forgive me. But make sure you add a big scoop of ice cream to your own when you make these. Because you need to make these.
*Recipe and photos updated from November 2014
Apple Crisp Blondies
Ingredients
Blondies:
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup all purpose flour (130g)
Apples:
- 3-4 medium apples chopped (peel or no peel — up to you!) – about 1 lb or 3 cups chopped
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Streusel
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup large oats
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Line an 8×8" pan with parchment paper and spray with non stick spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- For the blondies:In a large bowl, melt the butter. Stir in sugar. Stir in remaining ingredients (through flour). Spread into prepared pan.
- Bake 15 minutes while you preparing the topping.
- For the topping:Combine apples, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in the same bowl you used to make the blondies. Microwave for 5 minutes on high. Stir and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, oats, flour and cinnamon until crumbly (I use my fingers, but you could use a fork or pastry cutter).
- When blondies have baked 15 minutes, spread with apples, and top the apples with the streusel. Press down gently. Bake another 18-20 minutes.
- Place on a wire rack and cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours before removing from the pan and slicing.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Sarah Reinhold says
Hi! Excited to try this recipe. What kind of apples would you recommend for this recipe?
Ashley Fehr says
I recommend firm and slightly tart apples, like Granny Smith
Sarah Y says
Do the bars have to stay stored in the fridge or is it okay to store at room temp? Love the recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! I would recommend storing in the refrigerator after a few hours or maybe up to 1 day, because the apples are moist and they will spoil more quickly at room temperature
Emily @the_bakersapprentice says
These are fantastic!! I just love the flavor, they were gone within hours! ? I did have a problem with sticking to the aluminum foil so I think I’ll try without next time. Highly recommend these!! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Emily! When I made these to take new photographs I actually use parchment and it works much better!
Ruthy says
Delicious squares and super easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Ruthy! I’m so happy to hear that!
Natalie says
Blondies are the best, but adding apples & streusel, makes them even better!! I love how thick these are!! Time to go buy more apples!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Natalie! Always up for more apple treats!
Krissy Allori says
These are a family favorite treat! Lucky I just got some apples so I’ll be making this soon.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Krissy! They’re a favorite here too!
Lauren Kelly says
My kids LOVE these bars! And I am excited because we have a bunch of apples!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Lauren! That worked out perfectly!
Katie says
I can see these becoming my new favorite dessert! SO excited to try!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Katie! Let me know how it goes!
Jennifer says
I have to say.. these were AMAZING. The hubby and I loved them & I can’t wait to make them again! Thank you so much!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jennifer! I’m so glad to hear that!
Amanda says
If you love fall, you need to make these blondes. These are the best thing I’ve ever tried
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you so much Amanda!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I made this recipe last weekend and it was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Shadi! I’m glad to hear that!
Ryanne says
I only have a 9×11 pan. Do you know how a way to alter the recipe to make it work?
Ashley Fehr says
You could try it in a 9×11 and they would be pretty thin — you’d have to bake them a little less. Or try doubling and they’ll be a little thicker.
Colleen says
I followed the recipe to the T. Used Granny Smith apples. These did not hold their shape for me. I let them cool for about 30 minutes. There was still a lot of liquid and the foil ripped apart when I tried to take them out of the pan.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m sorry to hear that! Most baking is still pretty warm at the 30 minute mark — I would be sure to chill them for a couple hours before removing. I apologize for not being more specific in the recipe — I will update it now!
[email protected] says
These look amazing! I want to make them for school tomorrow to cheer up my friends with the cold weather and all, but I don’t have enough butter. Which parts, if any, can be substituted with canola oil or coconut oil? Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
I have never actually baked with coconut oil so I can’t give you any advice on that. I would say the streusel would be the easiest to swap out because it just needs fat to crisp up and get brown. I hope that helps!
kalil says
I can not believe in this . I baked this apple crisp today and I completely falling in love for this however I work with a health food gluten /lacfree and without sugar so I changed a few of ingredients and the results was amazing.
Congrats
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear they worked out for you even with the changes necessary!
Jenn says
These look delicious…can they be frozen?
Ashley Fehr says
I freeze pretty much all of my baking, so I would definitely give it a shot! I think they’d be fine 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Oh, I will FOR SURE be adding a giant scoop of ice cream!! These look amazing and definitely the perfect fall dessert. I’m drooling over here!!
Ashley says
Thanks Jess! Ice cream is a total must!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Perfect Fall Dessert indeed! And that photo with the spoon drizzle? Absolutely GORGEOUS, Ashley! Makes me want to dive through my computer screen to grab one of these blondies. 😀
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Jess! No one can resist a good drizzle of caramel 😉
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
Oooohh I am all about apples and blondies! great idea! Now. Let’s discuss that sauce.
Ashley says
Haha, let’s! I can’t resist a good dose of caramel!
Tori says
Are the apples tender after microwaving? I’d rather cook them in water on the stove 🙂 The recipe looks great! Thanks!
Ashley says
The apples are cooked probably 1/2 to 2/3 of the way through in the microwave. You could definitely cook them over the stove instead!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Oh my goodness. This trumps all those other apple recipes on Pinterest. Love that you thought to microwave the apples to speed up the process!
Ashley says
Thanks Julie! Anything to get it in my mouth faster 😉
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
These look incredible. Adding apple crisp to a blondie is totally a stroke of genius! And with that caramel drizzle – wow!
Ashley says
Thanks Stacey! You can’t go wrong with apples and streusel!
Velva says
Shut the front door! This looks amazing. Just beautiful.
Velva
Ashley says
Thanks so much Velva!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
I’m salivating! These look beyond phenomenal.
Ashley says
Thanks so much Medha!
Mary Frances says
True that, fudgy is always better! And so is apple and caramel and blondie 🙂 These look amazing Ashley!
Ashley says
Thanks Mary Frances!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
These look bananas good! Pinned.
Ashley says
Thanks Jocelyn!
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
ok WOW. you’re photography is stunning
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
I MEANT YOUR!!! haha #Ipromiseiknowpropergrammar 🙂
Ashley says
Hahaha! No worries Caralyn! I’m supposed to know proper grammar and I don’t always… Lol. And thanks!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I can eat apple desserts all year long too! I love that you made blondies especially with that glorious streusel topping! And I am totally drooling over that gorgeous drizzle shot! This is the best way to start the weekend! I’ll take 5 squares please 🙂
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Kelly! Coming right up 😉
Annie @Maebells says
That drizzle shot is beautiful! And I am totally with you, I will eat an apple crisp any time of year! It is definitely one of my favorite desserts! I love this Blondie version!
Ashley says
Thanks Annie! Apple Crisp is so simple but it’s so totally unreal! Especially with some ice cream 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I can’t resist making apple desserts year round! These blondies look so good!
Ashley says
Thanks Jessica! I just can’t help it either!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
These look amazing Ashley! Send me your leftovers? *wink*.
Ashley says
You’re welcome to come taste test! 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
So happy you did it! It looks amazing and I’d love a bite or 2 or 3…
Pinned.
Have a beautiful weekend!
Ashley says
Thanks Melanie! I’m glad too!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I could totally bake apple dishes all year long too, it’s my favorite! These blondies sound amazing, Ashley! I love that you gave apple crisp a fun twist!
Ashley says
Thanks Gayle!