Maple Walnut Blondies

These maple blondies are perfectly chewy and studded with walnuts for the ultimate fall treat.

My husband is “not a dessert person.”

Almost 10 years into our relationship, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this concept.

I mean, more for me. But also…more for me. I bake a lot, and I genuinely can’t eat everything I make all by myself.

As a result, our friends and neighbors often end up with treats on their porch.

When we lived in Chicago, one such friend was my personal trainer, Cindy. One fall, she asked me to come up with a copycat version of the Trader Joe’s Maple Walnut Blondies.

Since she always so willingly tried everything I brought her, I was happy to oblige. I mean, what are friends for, right?

It took me a few tries to get this recipe just right, but it’s been a personal favorite ever since.

What is a blondie?

If you’ve never had a blondie bar, you might be wondering what the heck a blondie even is.

A blondie is a non-chocolate brownie – sort of the opposite of a brownie, if you will. They’re a super chewy bar cookie that has a non-chocolate base. 

There are lots of different types of blondies, from butterscotch blondies to raspberry blondies to maple blondies and more. 

Copycat Trader Joe’s maple walnut blondies

I was 22 before I lived in a town with a Trader Joe’s, so it took me a bit to come to learn about the store’s beloved seasonal items.

One such seasonal treat is the Maple Walnut Blondies. They’re nearly impossible to get your hands on – it feels like they are only around for a few minutes each year, and go out of stock almost immediately.

So it’s no wonder that my friend Cindy wanted a copycat version that she could whip up any time of year.

This maple blondie recipe is perfectly chewy, full of maple flavor, and studded with walnuts. It’s a combination of some of the best fall flavors in one perfect bar cookie.

How to make this blondie recipe

One of the best things about blondies is that they are usually super easy to make. This maple blondie recipe is no different – a few bowls, and handful of minutes, and you’ve got a sweet treat to snack on.

Ingredients you’ll need

Some of the key ingredients in this recipe include:

Rolled oats: This is maybe the most unexpected ingredient on the list. The oats add a nutty flavor and great texture to these bars, and are the ingredient that really makes them taste like the Trader Joe’s version!

Brown sugar: In my opinion, you can’t have a good brownie without brown sugar. It adds depth of flavor and helps make the bars nice and chewy.

Maple syrup: We’ve gotta get that maple in there! I like to use real maple syrup in this recipe. It adds just enough maple without overpowering the subtle flavor of the walnuts.

Walnuts: The crunchy walnuts are such a great contrast to the chewy texture of the bars. You can, of course, leave the walnuts out if you are allergic and still have a lovely maple blondie bar.

(If you’re a big fan of walnuts, try this coffee walnut cake, too!)

Other ingredients you will need are:

• 6 tablespoons (87 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 1 generous pinch of salt
• 1 cup (124 grams)  flour

Make sure that you also have a set of mixing bowls, a spatula, and an 8×8-inch baking pan.

Making maple blondies

To get started, we will pulse the oats in a food processor until coarsely ground. I like to use my mini food processor to do this.

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and the brown sugar until the mixture has slightly lightened in color. Add the syrup, egg, and vanilla and whisk well.

Fold in the oats, flour, and salt until just combined, followed by the walnuts. 

Spread the batter into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch pan and bake the maple blondies for 30-35 minutes. 

You want the edges to be golden and the center to just be set. Be careful not to overbake these bars – they’re better if they’re a bit under-baked than over-baked!

Let the blondies cool in the pan before removing to a cutting board and cutting into squares.

Storage tips

These maple blondies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Want to store them for longer? Turn to the freezer!

Place the sliced blondies in an airtight container or in a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

When you’d like to enjoy a blondie, you can let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours or microwave it for 30-60 seconds for a warm, gooey treat.

Give these maple blondies a try. I can bet they’ll join applesauce bread and fresh apple cake in your arsenal of favorite fall recipes.