Homemade Applebees Blondies

Welcome to the ultimate guide for recreating a beloved restaurant classic right in your own kitchen! If you’ve ever savored the warm, gooey, and utterly irresistible Blondies from Applebee’s, you know it’s more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. Paired with their signature creamy maple butter sauce, it’s a treat that leaves a lasting impression. Many of us have felt that pang of disappointment when a favorite menu item temporarily disappears. The good news? You can now whip up this incredible dessert at home, ensuring you’ll never be without your treasured Applebee’s Blondies again!

Unlocking the Secret to the Most Delicious Copycat Blondie Recipe

For years, Applebee’s Blondies have held a special place in the hearts of dessert lovers. My family, myself included, has been utterly devoted to this sweet indulgence for as long as I can remember. The very thought of those soft, thick blondies, perfectly chewy at the edges and wonderfully tender in the center, crowned with a rich, buttery maple sauce, brings a smile. When they were briefly removed from the menu, it felt like a minor tragedy! But every cloud has a silver lining, and that moment of despair led to a quest: to develop a copycat recipe so authentic, so utterly delectable, that it could rival the original. And I’m thrilled to say, we succeeded!

This isn’t just a blondie; it’s a testament to the magic of homemade baking. It captures the comforting essence of a classic American dessert, elevated by a simple yet luxurious sauce that truly makes it unforgettable. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice, this recipe is designed to guide you to blondie perfection, ensuring every bite is as blissful as the last.

Essential Tips for Crafting Flawless Copycat Applebee’s Blondies

Achieving that signature soft, thick, and cake-like texture, reminiscent of the Applebee’s original, requires a bit of attention to detail, but the results are unequivocally worth the effort. Here are some key tips to ensure your homemade blondies are nothing short of spectacular:

• **Embrace the Authentic Texture:** While there are quicker, “cheater” versions out there (like using a cake mix, which can still be very tasty!), this recipe focuses on recreating the precise melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines the Applebee’s blondie. It’s slightly more involved, but the depth of flavor and ideal consistency you achieve will speak for themselves. This method prioritizes a genuinely soft, almost cake-like chewiness that many blondie enthusiasts adore.
• **Don’t Skip the Maple Butter Sauce:** Seriously, this sauce is a game-changer. It’s creamy, rich, and infused with the sweet, comforting notes of maple. It transforms a delicious blondie into an extraordinary dessert. The sauce adds a layer of moisture and flavor that perfectly complements the blondie, making it an indispensable part of the Applebee’s experience. Think of it as the crowning glory – without it, the dessert just isn’t complete.
• **Room Temperature Ingredients are Key:** For a smooth, well-emulsified batter, ensure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature. This allows them to blend more easily and evenly, creating a consistent batter that bakes uniformly and contributes to the blondie’s desirable texture. Cold ingredients can cause the batter to seize or become lumpy, impacting the final product.
• **Whip Egg Whites for Lift:** The initial step of whipping egg whites is crucial for incorporating air into the batter. This aeration contributes to the blondies’ characteristic light and fluffy, yet dense, texture. Don’t underestimate this step; it’s a secret to achieving that perfect balance between cakey and chewy.
• **Proper Mixing Technique:** When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough blondie. A few lumps are perfectly fine; resist the urge to beat the batter into oblivion.
• **Baking Pan Preparation:** Greasing your baking pan thoroughly with baking spray ensures your blondies don’t stick and release easily after cooling. For extra assurance, you can line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, which makes lifting the entire batch out a breeze.
• **Cooling is Crucial:** It’s tempting to dive into warm blondies right out of the oven, but letting them cool completely in the pan allows them to set properly. This prevents them from crumbling when sliced and ensures a cleaner cut and better overall texture.

Ingredients for Your Culinary Masterpiece

To embark on this delightful baking journey, gather the following high-quality ingredients. The full, detailed recipe with exact measurements can be found below:

• **For the Blondies:**
  • Egg Whites
  • Unsalted Butter, softened
  • Light Brown Sugar
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Baking Soda
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Milk
  • Chopped Walnuts (optional, but highly recommended for authentic flavor and texture)
• **For the Maple Butter Sauce:**
  • Butter
  • Cream Cheese, softened
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Pure Maple Syrup
  • Salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
• **For Serving (Optional but Recommended):**
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Additional Chopped Walnuts

How to Prepare Irresistible Copycat Applebee’s Blondies

Crafting these blondies and their accompanying sauce is a rewarding process that culminates in a dessert truly worthy of a special occasion – or simply a treat for yourself and your loved ones. Follow these steps carefully for the best results:

For the Blondies:

1. **Prepare Your Baking Environment:** Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). This lower temperature ensures the blondies bake evenly and remain moist. Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray. You can also line it with parchment paper for easier removal, leaving a slight overhang on the longer sides.
2. **Whip the Egg Whites to Perfection:** In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites for 3-4 minutes. Continue until stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the whisk, the peaks of egg white hold their shape without drooping. This step is essential for incorporating air and achieving the blondie’s unique texture.
3. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** Into the bowl with the whipped egg whites, add the softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Don’t be alarmed if the batter looks a little chunky initially; keep beating until it’s homogenous. The brown sugar adds moisture and a delicious caramel-like flavor, contributing to the signature chewiness.





4. **Prepare and Add Dry Ingredients:** In a separate, medium-sized bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps to aerate the flour and remove any lumps, ensuring a smooth batter. Gradually add these sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.



5. **Fold in Milk and Walnuts:** Pour in the milk and gently stir until it is fully incorporated into the batter. If using, fold in the chopped walnuts. Walnuts add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the sweet blondie. Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased 9×13-inch pan.
6. **Bake to Golden Perfection:** Bake the blondies in the preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. The blondies are ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to dry blondies.
7. **Cool and Slice:** Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the blondies cool completely on a wire rack. This is crucial for them to firm up and makes slicing much easier. Once cooled, you can slice them into squares or bars.

For the Maple Butter Sauce:

While your blondies are cooling, prepare the incredibly delicious maple butter sauce. It’s surprisingly simple!

1. **Combine All Sauce Ingredients:** In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, and a pinch of salt.
2. **Beat Until Smooth:** Using an electric mixer, beat all the sauce ingredients together until they are completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps of butter or cream cheese remaining. This should only take a few minutes.
3. **Serve or Store:** The sauce can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until the blondies are ready. If storing, you may need to warm it slightly and whisk it again before serving to restore its creamy consistency.

Serving Your Applebee’s Blondies Masterpiece

To truly capture the Applebee’s experience, serving is key:

1. **Warm the Blondies and Sauce:** Gently warm a slice of blondie and a portion of the maple butter sauce in the microwave until just warm and slightly gooey. This enhances their flavors and textures.
2. **Assemble Your Dessert:** Place a warm square of blondie on a plate.
3. **Add the Toppings:** Top with a generous scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm blondie and cold ice cream is heavenly.
4. **Drizzle and Garnish:** Spoon the warm maple butter sauce generously over the ice cream and blondie. For an extra touch of authenticity and texture, sprinkle with additional chopped walnuts.

Every bite of this dessert is a harmonious blend of warm, sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures and flavors. It’s a comforting indulgence that’s perfect for any occasion, from a casual family dinner to a festive gathering.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These copycat Applebee’s Blondies are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but they can be prepared in advance.

• **Blondies:** Store cooled blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.
• **Maple Butter Sauce:** The maple butter sauce can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to use, gently warm it in the microwave or a small saucepan over low heat, whisking until smooth and pourable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applebee’s Blondies

• **Can I substitute ingredients?** While the recipe is designed to mimic the Applebee’s original closely, some substitutions are possible. For example, you can omit walnuts if you’re not a fan or have allergies. Using real maple syrup is highly recommended for the sauce for authentic flavor.
• **My blondies are dry, what happened?** Overbaking is the most common culprit for dry blondies. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking, and remove them as soon as a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs. An oven thermometer can help ensure your oven’s temperature is accurate.
• **Can I make these gluten-free?** You can experiment with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Results may vary slightly in texture, but many blends work well in blondie recipes.
• **What if I don’t have an electric mixer for the egg whites?** While an electric mixer is ideal for achieving stiff peaks, you can whip egg whites by hand with a whisk and a lot of arm power. It will take significantly longer but is definitely achievable.
• **Can I add chocolate chips?** Absolutely! While the original Applebee’s Blondie is typically nut-based, adding a cup of white chocolate chips or even semi-sweet chocolate chips would make a delicious variation. Fold them in with the walnuts.

Craving More Delicious Recipes? Explore These!

• Cake Mix Blondies (with Maple Butter Sauce) – A quicker alternative if you’re short on time.
• Maple Glazed Apple Blondies – A seasonal twist on the classic.
• Butter Rum Blondies – For a richer, more sophisticated flavor.
• Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad – If you’re craving another Applebee’s classic.
• Homemade Yellow Cake Mix – A versatile mix for many baking projects.

Applebee’s Blondies with Maple Butter Sauce

Copycat Applebee’s Blondies with Maple Butter Sauce is the ultimate dessert. Soft, thick blondies with a delicious drizzle of creamy sauce!

Print Recipe
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Prep Time:
25 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 5 minutes

Servings:
12

Author:
Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

For the blondies:

• 4 egg whites
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

For the maple butter sauce:

• ½ cup butter
• ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For serving:

• vanilla ice cream, for serving
• additional chopped walnuts, for serving

Instructions

1. **For the blondies:** Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9×13 pan with baking spray or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form (about 3-4 minutes). Mix in softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and well combined, even if it looks chunky at first.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Add milk and chopped walnuts (if using). Stir gently until they are fully incorporated into the batter. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
6. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the blondies are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Once baked, let the blondies cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
8. **For the sauce:** In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and salt. Beat with an electric mixer until completely smooth and creamy. Use immediately or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
9. **To Serve:** Gently heat the blondies and sauce in the microwave until warm. Cut a square of blondie, place it on a plate, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, spoon warm maple butter sauce generously on top, and sprinkle with additional chopped walnuts.

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal
| Carbohydrates: 50g
| Protein: 6g
| Fat: 25g
| Sodium: 363mg
| Fiber: 1g
| Sugar: 30g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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