Okay, so, picture this: a chewy, buttery square of pure happiness, bursting with the warm hug of maple and the satisfying crunch of walnuts. Yep, that’s what we’re talking about with these amazing Maple Walnut Blondies! Blondies are pretty much the cooler, more laid-back cousin of the brownie, and these? These are just so incredibly good. It’s a recipe that’s been in my baking repertoire for a while now – I love making them to take to potlucks. You’ll never believe how easy they are!
Why You’ll Love These Maple Walnut Blondies
Honestly? Because they’re the BEST! But let me break it down for you. Here’s why you’ll want to make these Maple Walnut Blondies, like, right now:
- They’re ridiculously easy to make – seriously, you can whip them up in under an hour.
- That maple flavor is just divine, perfectly balanced with the crunch of those walnuts. Yum!
- They’re perfect for sharing (or not, no judgment here!).
- You probably have most of the ingredients hiding in your pantry already!
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Maple Walnut Blondies
Alright, so here’s what you’re going to need to make these amazing Maple Walnut Blondies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
That’s it! Easy peasy.
Ingredient Notes and Possible Substitutions
Okay, let’s talk about these ingredients, because each one plays a star role in making these Maple Walnut Blondies unbelievably good! I’ve been baking for years, and trust me, the right ingredients make all the difference. Don’t worry, though, we can work with what you’ve got!
First up, unsalted butter. The melted butter gives these blondies their beautiful, chewy texture. If you only have salted butter on hand, no sweat! Just reduce the amount of salt you add to the recipe by a pinch or two. The light brown sugar is where the magic happens and creates that caramel-y, rich flavor. Don’t sub it with white sugar—you’ll miss out on the best part!
We’ve got eggs – always add the eggs one at a time, just to make sure everything comes together perfectly. Vanilla and maple extracts bring in all those warm, inviting flavors. And then, there’s the all-purpose flour, which is the backbone of it all. As for the baking powder and salt, they work together in the background to lift the blondies just right. Finally, the star of the show: the walnuts! Chop them yourself for the best texture, and maybe test out toasting them next time. It adds an extra layer of flavor that’s totally worth it.
How to Make Delicious Maple Walnut Blondies Step-by-Step
Ready to bake these Maple Walnut Blondies? Okay, let’s go! It’s super easy, promise.
Prepping the Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get that oven warmed up! Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Then, get your 9×13 inch baking pan ready. You can grease it with butter (I usually use a stick of butter and rub it all over, making sure every inch is covered). Next, dust it with flour – tap out any extra, so you don’t end up with a floury blondie! This prevents sticking and makes sure these babies come right out.
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
In a big bowl, pour in that melted butter, followed by all the brown sugar. Whisk them together until they’re nice and combined. Then, in with the eggs! Add them one at a time, making sure each egg is mixed in before adding the next. Next, stir in that vanilla and maple extract. The smell at this stage is AMAZING, just wait!
Combining Dry Ingredients
Grab another bowl, and this is where we’ll mix all the dry stuff. In goes the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk it all together until it’s beautifully combined. Make sure you get rid of any little clumps, no one wants a pocket of baking powder surprise!
Bringing it All Together
Now, this is the fun part! Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until things are *just* combined—don’t overmix! It’s okay if a few little streaks of flour are still visible. Then, gently fold in those chopped walnuts. Give it a good mix, but don’t go overboard!
Baking to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Get it into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. To make sure they’re done, poke a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with moist crumbs, you’re good to go! If the toothpick is completely clean, they might be a little overbaked.
Cooling and Cutting
This is the hardest part: waiting! Let the Maple Walnut Blondies cool completely in the pan before you cut them. I know, I know, it’s torture, but trust me, it’s worth it. Once they’re cool, cut them into squares. You can cut them as big or small as you like. Careful, it splatters!
Tips for Perfect Maple Walnut Blondies Every Time
Alright, so you want to make these Maple Walnut Blondies absolutely perfect, huh? I get it! Here are a few tricks I always use to make mine the absolute BEST. First, let’s talk walnuts. You can totally toast those bad boys before chopping them! It seriously unlocks a whole new level of flavor – just pop them in a dry pan on the stove for a few minutes until they smell amazing.
Next: doneness! The toothpick test is KEY. But don’t just stick a toothpick in and call it a day! Look for those moist crumbs – that’s what you want! Undercooked is better than overcooked. It’s all about balance, you know? And lastly: storage! Keep your blondies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay all chewy and delicious for a few days, so you can enjoy these treats for longer.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Maple Walnut Blondies
So, you’re planning ahead? Smart! You can totally make these Maple Walnut Blondies in advance. The baked blondies will keep perfectly fine for a couple of days at room temperature in an airtight container. Make sure they’re completely cooled before you stash them away–this is important. If you need to keep them longer, pop them in the freezer! Just wrap them tightly, and they’ll be good for about a month.
You can also bake the blondies halfway, then freeze the entire pan. This is super helpful when entertaining, since it cuts down on the day-of work. When ready, just bake until golden brown! (Just remember to add a couple of minutes to the baking time).
Variations to Try with Your Maple Walnut Blondies
Oh, the fun doesn’t stop with the basic recipe! You can totally get creative with these Maple Walnut Blondies and make them your own. Maybe swap out the walnuts for pecans, or a mix of nuts! Want to dive into chocolate? Add chocolate chips to the batter (or even drizzle melted chocolate on top, yum!). You could also add a swirl of dulce de leche or add a dash of espresso powder for a little something extra. The possibilities are endless!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Maple Walnut Blondies
Just a heads-up, this is all an estimate, folks! Nutritional info can vary depending on the ingredients you use and how you measure them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maple Walnut Blondies
Got questions about these amazing Maple Walnut Blondies? I’ve got answers! Let’s get you ready to bake with total confidence! Here are some of the most common things people ask me when they make this recipe:
Can I use a different type of nut?
Absolutely! While walnuts are the star in this Maple Walnut Blondies recipe, you can totally swap them out for pecans, or a mix of both! Macadamia nuts would be delicious, too. Just use the same amount.
My blondies are too dry! What went wrong?
Hmm, that’s a bummer! Make sure you didn’t overbake them. Also, did you measure your flour correctly? Too much flour can dry them out. Another idea is to make sure you’re getting the oven temperature right.
How do I store these blondies?
Store your finished Maple Walnut Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them (see my storage tips above!).
Can I add chocolate to this recipe?
YES! Add chocolate chips to the batter or drizzle melted chocolate on top. Maybe add some chocolate shavings for decoration? That would be delicious! Anything goes, really.
Serving Suggestions for Maple Walnut Blondies
Okay, so you’ve made these amazing Maple Walnut Blondies…now what? Honestly, they’re perfect all by themselves! But if you wanted to get fancy, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a total game-changer, or a dollop of whipped cream! Coffee is also perfect with these, but seriously, they’re amazing with anything (or nothing!).
Enjoy Your Delicious Maple Walnut Blondies!
You made it! You baked these amazing Maple Walnut Blondies!
Now, go on, grab a square (or two!), and let me know what you think in the comments. I would love to hear all about it. Share your blondie-baking experience on social media too!
Print
Maple Walnut Blondies
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 24 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These blondies offer a sweet treat with maple and walnut flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until combined.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and maple extracts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let the blondies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
- For extra flavor, toast the walnuts before adding them to the batter.
- Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
