Description
These Frosted Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Blondie Bars combine the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter with a sweet cinnamon swirl and a spiced apple cider frosting. Soft and chewy with a delicate cinnamon sugar topping, these bars offer a delightful twist on classic snickerdoodles, perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack.
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
- Make the cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Mix until clumps form, then set this mixture aside.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the batter: In a large bowl, beat together the browned melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt, mixing until just combined.
- Assemble the bars: Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over this layer. Dollop the remaining batter on top and gently spread it out in an even layer. It’s fine if the cinnamon swirl peeks through.
- Bake the bars: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the bars are fully set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the frosting: While the bars bake, bring the spiced apple cider to a boil over high heat on the stovetop. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until the cider reduces to 2-3 tablespoons. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Frost the bars: Pour the warm frosting evenly over the baked blondie bars. Allow the frosting to set for at least 1 hour at room temperature.
- Add finishing touches: Mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Lightly sprinkle over the set frosting along with an optional pinch of flaked sea salt for extra texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for the best batter consistency and even baking.
- Lightly browning the butter enhances the flavor but be careful not to burn it.
- The frosting sets as it cools; patience is key to achieve the perfect finish.
- For an optional twist, add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the batter.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
