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Let’s welcome September with Apple Pecan Blondies!! These little squares of joy are everything I love about fall: fresh apples, warm cinnamon, toasty pecans, and a touch of maple sweetness. They’re Paleo, gluten free, and universally loved… which means they disappear fast in my house. This treat is a delicious addition to my collection of apple recipes that celebrate seasonal flavors and make fall mornings extra special.
As a nutritionist, I’m always looking for ways to take a classic treat and make it better for you without losing that cozy, homemade feel. These blondies check all the boxes: wholesome ingredients, naturally sweetened, and just the right amount of indulgence for an afternoon snack or a sweet bite after dinner.
If you’ve been following Wholesomelicious for a while, you know I’ve always been a chocolate girl. Brownies have been my go-to for years. But somewhere along the way, I discovered blondies, the sweeter, vanilla-scented sister to brownies, and I fell in love. My Pumpkin Blondies and Banana Bread Blondies are already regulars in my baking rotation, but this new apple pecan version might just be my favorite yet!!!
These blondies are dense, moist, and packed with little bursts of fresh apple and crunchy pecans. The maple drizzle on top is the finishing touch that takes them from “yum” to “can’t stop eating these.” If a warm kitchen hug had a flavor, this would be it.
Tips for the Best Apple Pecan Blondies
- Choose the right apple: Go for baking-friendly varieties like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. They hold their shape and give the perfect sweet-tart balance.
- Don’t skip the parchment sling: It makes lifting the blondies out of the pan a breeze and keeps the edges neat.
- Keep the batter thick: This isn’t a pourable batter. It should be thick enough to spread with a spatula. That’s what gives blondies their chewy texture.
- Let them cool completely: I know it’s hard (!!) but cooling helps the flavors set and makes slicing easier.
- Glaze right before serving: The maple drizzle stays fresh and glossy if you add it after the blondies are fully cooled.
- Freeze for later: These freeze beautifully. Wrap individual squares, store in an airtight container, and thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes before enjoying.
So grab your mixing bowl and make a batch of these cozy Apple Pecan Blondies. Your kitchen will smell like fall, your heart will be happy, and you might just find yourself sneaking back for “just one more” square!!
Apple Pecan Blondies
Ingredients
For the Blondies:
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup creamy nut butter*
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup finely chopped apples**
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, (divided)
For the Maple glaze:
- 2 tbsp full fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp real maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare an 8×8 baking pan, by lining the pan with parchment paper like a sling. Spray with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- In a larger bowl or a bowl with an electric stand mixer, beat together the nut butter with the egg, coconut sugar, vanilla extract and applesauce. Beat until smooth. Stir in the dry ingredients (using a rubber spatula or the mixer), ensuring no dry pockets remain. Fold in the apples and most of the pecans (reserve about 1-2 tbsp for the top of the blondies with the glaze). Batter will be thick.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Transfer to the oven. Bake for 22-24 minutes (depending on oven), until the mixture is lightly toasted and firm to touch. Remove and let cool completely.
- Once cooled, make the glaze. Stir the coconut milk with maple syrup and cinnamon, and pour on top of the baked blondies. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I brought these to a family gathering and everyone loved them.