Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Blondie Bars with Spiced Apple Cider Frosting Recipe
These Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Blondie Bars combine the rich, nutty flavor of browned butter with the classic cinnamon sugar twist of a snickerdoodle. Featuring a swirled cinnamon mixture baked into soft blondie bars and topped with a spiced apple cider glaze, these bars deliver warm, cozy flavors perfect for dessert or a special treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
The Cinnamon Swirl:
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Bars:
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, melted and lightly browned
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Frosting:
- 1/3 cup spiced apple cider, no added sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour until smooth and well mixed. Set aside for later use.
- Brown the Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and continue cooking until it becomes golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix Blondie Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the browned butter and brown sugar until combined. Add in the eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Assemble the Bars: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a baking pan. Spread half of the blondie batter evenly into the pan. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon swirl over the batter and gently swirl it with a knife or skewer. Spread the remaining blondie batter over the top and repeat the swirling with the remaining cinnamon mixture.
- Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar: Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the top surface to add a crunchy, sweet topping.
- Bake: Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Prepare Frosting: While the bars cool, combine spiced apple cider, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened, adjusting sugar or cider as needed for proper consistency.
- Glaze the Bars: Once the bars have cooled completely, drizzle the apple cider frosting evenly over the top.
- Serve and Enjoy: Cut into bars and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to ensure even mixing and a smooth batter.
- Take care not to burn the brown butter; watch closely as it can go from browned to burnt quickly.
- The cinnamon sugar topping adds a pleasant crunch on top; don’t skip this step.
- Make sure bars are fully cooled before drizzling frosting to prevent it from melting and running off.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and ensure powdered sugar is vegan-friendly.
Keywords: brown butter blondies, snickerdoodle bars, cinnamon swirl, apple cider frosting, blondie bars, cinnamon sugar dessert