If you’re craving a dessert that’s rich, chewy, and practically popping with cozy flavor, Maple Blondies are your new best friend. These bars bring together buttery notes, a deep caramel sweetness, and a bold hint of maple in every bite. Each square is utterly irresistible – perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or just pairing with your afternoon coffee on a crisp autumn day. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, you’ll be amazed at how easily you can whip up a batch of Maple Blondies to impress family and friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Maple Blondies lies in their everyday ingredients, each chosen to deliver maximum flavor and the perfect dense, chewy crumb. Don’t skip or swap too much – every item plays a part in making these blondies unforgettable!
- Unsalted butter: Melting the butter gives the blondies a rich, fudgy texture that sets them apart from classic cookies.
- Light brown sugar: Packed for extra moisture and caramel flavor, it’s what makes the blondies sweet and deeply flavored.
- Large eggs: These bind everything together and keep the bars soft and lush.
- Pure maple extract (or maple flavoring): The star of the show – this provides the iconic maple aroma and taste.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a layer of warmth that rounds out the flavors of the bars.
- Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and highlight all those wonderful flavors.
- All-purpose flour: The classic base for structure and chew in blondies.
- Baking powder: Ensures the bars puff up gently for a soft, cake-like finish.
- Chopped pecans (optional): Bring crunch and a nutty bite that pairs perfectly with maple (feel free to skip or substitute).
- White chocolate chips (optional): Add little pockets of creamy sweetness in every slice – an irresistible bonus!
How to Make Maple Blondies
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), so it’s nice and ready for baking. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper (for easy removal and super clean edges) or lightly grease it if you prefer. This step makes your Maple Blondies easy to cut and serve later on!
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the melted (and slightly cooled) butter and packed light brown sugar. Stir until the mixture looks glossy and fully blended – this forms the base of that moist, chewy texture. Next, add your eggs, maple extract, and vanilla extract, whisking until everything is smooth and golden.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, gently toss together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening and salt evenly, so you won’t end up with any pockets of bitterness or uneven rising in your blondies.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring with a spatula (not a whisk here!) just until you don’t see any streaks of flour. For especially tender Maple Blondies, be careful not to overmix – a few lumps are totally fine. Fold in the chopped pecans and white chocolate chips if you’re using them, reserving a handful for sprinkling on top as a finishing touch if you like.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour the thick, gorgeous batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking. Pop it in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to turn golden brown and the center to set with just a hint of gooeyness (a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out with a few moist crumbs – don’t wait for it to be totally dry!).
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Let your Maple Blondies cool completely in the pan for the best texture. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment or cut them directly in the pan into bars or squares. Trust me, waiting is the hardest part, but it’s so worth it!
How to Serve Maple Blondies
Garnishes
Maple Blondies are fantastic on their own, but you can take them over the top with a drizzle of maple glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a festive touch, scatter a few more chopped pecans or white chocolate chips on top just before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair Maple Blondies with a mug of hot coffee, cold milk, or a creamy chai latte for the ultimate treat. They also shine alongside a fruit salad, a platter of fresh berries, or as part of a dessert buffet with brownies and cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Maple Blondies into fun shapes using cookie cutters, stack them for a towering dessert display, or wrap individual squares in parchment and twine for the sweetest edible gifts. They’re perfect for lunch boxes, bake sale wrappers, or holiday tins.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Maple Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to 4 days – that is, if they last that long! If your kitchen is particularly warm, you can keep them in the fridge, but bring them to room temp before serving for best flavor.
Freezing
Maple Blondies freeze beautifully. Place individual bars in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to 2 months – just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
If you like your blondies warm and gooey, pop a bar in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. This revives that fresh-baked texture and gently melts any chocolate chips inside. For a larger batch, warm them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5–10 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use real maple syrup instead of extract in Maple Blondies?
For a hint of authentic maple sweetness, you can substitute some of the brown sugar with pure maple syrup. Just reduce the melted butter slightly to prevent the bars from becoming too soft, since syrup adds extra liquid to the batter.
What’s the difference between blondies and brownies?
Blondies are basically the vanilla cousin of brownies – they skip cocoa powder in favor of brown sugar and butter, creating a flavor profile that’s more caramel and butterscotch than chocolatey.
Can I make Maple Blondies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just be sure that it includes xanthan gum or a similar binder to help maintain the chewy, fudgy texture.
Are the pecans and white chocolate chips necessary?
Both are totally optional! They add wonderful texture and flavor, but these blondies are delicious even without them. Customize with whatever mix-ins you love best, or keep them pure and simple.
How do I know when my blondies are done baking?
The edges will pull slightly from the pan and turn golden, while the center should look just set with a shiny top. Insert a toothpick – if it comes out with moist crumbs (but not raw batter), your Maple Blondies are ready!
Final Thoughts
There’s something magic about a tray of homemade Maple Blondies – the way your kitchen smells, the perfectly chewy texture, and that rich, cozy maple flavor in every bite. Give this recipe a try, and don’t be surprised if these become your new go-to treat for every occasion. Happy baking!
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Maple Blondies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 blondies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of these Maple Blondies. With a perfect balance of sweet maple and creamy white chocolate, these chewy treats are sure to become a favorite dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Blondies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure maple extract (or 1 teaspoon maple flavoring)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, maple extract, and vanilla extract, and whisk until fully combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in the chopped pecans and white chocolate chips if using.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Let the blondies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
- For extra maple flavor, drizzle with maple glaze or use pure maple syrup in place of part of the brown sugar (reduce the butter slightly if doing so).
- Blondies will be slightly gooier in the center if baked closer to 25 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
