Apple Cinnamon Blondies

Hard to believe all the Holiday hub-bub is over.  Yesterday, we took down our Christmas tree and put away the last of the decorations.  I always feel a tiny bit sad when we do that, though it is nice to get that corner of the living room back.  Is everyone still in sugar shock from Holiday parties and dinners?  That's just not possible for us over here.  So if you're like me and you're not in a giving-up-sugar stage, then you may want to make these Apple Cinnamon Blondies.  It has all the comforting homeyness of apple pie, but is much much easier.  The end result is a moist, sweet, flavorful blondie that is just begging to be enjoyed with a scoop of ice cream on top :)  We put Sea Salt Caramel Gelato on top and that may just be one of the best decisions we made all week. 

Apple Cinnamon Blondies adapted from Baked by Rachel

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups lightly packed light brown sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped granny smith apple, skin on (approx. 1 medium apple)
1/2 cup cinnamon mini baking chips (I used King Arthur Flour)

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350; spray a 9.5-inch tart pan with non-stick cooking spray, and line 1 small baking dish (1 cupcake, 1 mini springform, etc.) with parchment and set on a large cookie sheet (this way if anything drips, it will fall on your cookie sheet and not the bottom of your oven).  Set aside.

Melt butter and brown sugar in a heavy duty saucepan over medium heat stirring constantly; remove from heat and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, salt, cinnamon and baking powder. In a separate large bowl, whisk eggs and vanilla.  Add melted butter and sugar mixture and whisk until combined. Slowly whisk in dry ingredients just until combined. Fold in chopped apples and cinnamon chips.

Pour batter into prepared baking pans and place cookie sheet in pre-heated oven for 25-35 minutes or until a knife comes out clean from center.  The small baking dish will most likely be finished a few minutes ahead of the 9.5 inch tart pan, so keep an eye on it.  

Allow to cool almost entirely in the pan.  When ready to cut, separate pan by carefully running a knife around the edges and then pushing up from the center of the bottom of the pan.