I decided to make these scrumptious apple blondies bars because October is national apple month, and they are my go-to fruit — especially pink ladies. I’ve tried my hand at baked apples and apple pie, but that has been the extent of my use of apples, other than eating them raw with a little peanut butter. I went on a search to find a more interesting way to use apples and decided to give apple blondies a try. I was sold even before I tasted them. My kitchen smelled so delicious. The frosting and candied walnut topping really takes these up a notch of sweetness, which I personally love, but I think the blondies would also be ultra tasty without adding any toppings at all. Try them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!Adapted from Cookies and Cups

Ingredients

Blondies

• 2/3 cup room temperature butter
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup peeled, chopped tart apple (1 large)
• 1/2 cup toffee bits
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, pecans would work well too!)

Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Topping

1 cup candied walnuts (recipe below)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.  Butter a 9×13 baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar with a mixer until smooth.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and beat on medium until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
5. Slowly mix the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients on low until just combined.
6. Stir in the chopped apples, toffee bits and walnuts until evenly distributed.
7. Spread in prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until the center is set.
8. Let cool completely before slicing or frosting.

Frosting Directions

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add brown sugar and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in powdered sugar with a whisk.
3. Let cool until it thickens enough to spread.
4. Stir before spreading on top of blondies.
5. Let frosting set for 30 minutes and then cut into bars.

Candied Walnuts Directions

• 1 ½ cups walnuts (toasted)
• 1 cup brown sugar

1. Place sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat until it starts to melt.  Quickly add the walnuts and mix to cover completely. Once they are well-coated, spread them onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and break up the nuts so they don’t form clumps.  Let cool.