Save A festive crowd&pleasing platter showcasing chewy apple blondies crisp apples luscious caramel and an assortment of sweet and savory accompaniments—perfect for autumn gatherings or dessert boards.
I created this board for our annual fall dessert night and it was the center of attention. Everyone loved mixing and matching bites and the apple blondies quickly disappeared.
Ingredients
- Apple Blondies: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter melted 1 1/2 cups (300 g) light brown sugar packed 2 large eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups (250 g) all&purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1 1/2 cups (200 g) peeled diced apples (such as Granny Smith)
- Caramel Sauce: 1 cup (240 ml) store&bought or homemade caramel sauce
- Fruits: 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp and Granny Smith) sliced 1 pear sliced (optional) 1 cup (120 g) seedless grapes
- Savory/Sweet Accompaniments: 1/2 cup (60 g) roasted salted pecans 1/2 cup (60 g) candied walnuts 1/2 cup (60 g) mini pretzels 1/2 cup (90 g) white chocolate chips 1/2 cup (90 g) milk or dark chocolate chips 1/2 cup (60 g) dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13&inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla whisk until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl whisk flour baking powder salt cinnamon and nutmeg. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in Apples and Bake:
- Gently fold in diced apples. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 22–25 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan then lift out and cut into 2&inch squares.
- Arrange Board:
- Arrange apple blondies on a large board or platter. Fill small bowls with caramel sauce and chocolate chips. Artfully arrange sliced apples pears grapes nuts pretzels dried cranberries and the filled bowls around the blondies. Serve immediately encouraging guests to dip apple slices and blondies in caramel.
Save Sharing this dessert board with my family brought out lots of laughs as we created our favorite bite combinations—caramel on everything was the unanimous winner.
Required Tools
9x13&inch baking pan parchment paper mixing bowls whisk and spatula sharp knife serving board or large platter small bowls for sauces and snacks
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten) eggs dairy tree nuts (pecans walnuts) and soy (possible in chocolate). If serving to guests with allergies verify all packaged ingredients and consider nut&free and gluten&free substitutions.
Nutritional Information
Calories 430 total fat 19 g carbohydrates 62 g protein 4 g per serving (approx. 1/10 of board)
Save This showstopping board comes together quickly and serves as a delicious highlight for any fall celebration. Enjoy mixing sweet and savory bites with every gathering.
Common Questions
- → What apples work best for the board?
Tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp provide crisp texture and balance the sweetness. Mix to add color.
- → Can the apple blondies be made ahead?
Yes, bake blondies up to a day in advance and store covered. Slice before assembling the board for freshness.
- → How do I keep apples from browning?
Dip sliced apples in diluted lemon juice before serving. This helps maintain a fresh appearance on the platter.
- → What dairy-free or gluten-free options can I use?
Substitute gluten-free flour and dairy-free butter for blondies, and choose allergen-free chocolates and nuts as needed.
- → How can I customize the accompaniments?
Swap in your favorite nuts, use different chocolates, or add seasonal fruits like berries to personalize the platter.
- → Is this suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, the board serves 8–10 and is ideal for sharing; double the amount for bigger parties or holidays.