Brown Butter Apple Cider Blondies are filled with lightly spiced tender shredded apples and loads of chopped pecans. Brown butter adds a toasty note. Browning butter requires an extra step, but it's so worth it! Boiled apple cider is the secret ingredient that boosts the apple flavor.If you don't have boiled cider on hand, you can still make this recipe using regular apple cider. See the recipe notes for my suggestions and substitutions.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add grated apples and cinnamon and cook while stirring for about 4 minutes until the apples soften.
Place fried apples in a bowl and cool.
Blondies
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat nonstick cooking spray in a 13x9-inch baking pan.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the butter foams and steams. Swirl the pan as the foam subsides and closely watch as the butter turns golden brown and solids form. Pour the brown butter into a large mixing bowl and cool for about 15 minutes. Do not let solidify.
After letting brown butter cool, add brown sugar, eggs, boiled cider and vanilla extract. Mix well. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until just combined.
Fold in the cooled fried apples and chopped pecans into the batter and pour into the prepared baking pan. Spread evenly.
Bake blondie batter for 21-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Take out and cool completely.
Toppings
Whisk powdered sugar, boiled cider and heavy cream together in a small bowl. Then, spread the glaze over blondies and sprinkle with pecans. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
Cut into squares, serve and enjoy!
Notes
SubstitutionsSubstitute 1/4 cup regular apple cider for the boiled cider in the fried apple mixture. Cook the mixture down until all of the liquids have evaporated before using it in the batter. Substitute 2 tablespoons regular apple cider for the boiled cider in the glaze recipe. Add a pinch of cinnamon to add a little color to the glaze, if desired.What to expect:This is a delicious, chewy fall treat that has huge apple flavor. It's a great alternative to apple pie at Thanksgiving.Browned butter is easy to make but requires a watchful eye. Make it in a stainless saucepan so you can best judge its color. It will be much harder to judge the doneness in a dark nonstick pan.
Keyword apple cider glaze, boiled apple cider, brown sugar, browned butter, chopped pcans