Introduction
Indulge in the cozy flavors of fall with these delightful Pumpkin Pie Spice Blondies. Perfectly sweet, these treats are quick to prepare and come with a luscious cream cheese frosting that adds an irresistible touch. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, these blondies are sure to please!
Detailed Ingredients with measures
– 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
– 1/2 cup butter, melted
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 large egg
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Icing:
– 12-ounce can cream cheese frosting
– 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time: 13-15 minutes
Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 mini blondies
To prepare, first, preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix together the packed light brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and egg until well blended. Then, add in the all-purpose flour and pumpkin pie spice, stirring until fully incorporated.
Next, spray mini muffin cups with nonstick spray and spoon the batter into each cup, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the blondies to cool for a few minutes before carefully removing them from the muffin cups.
Once they are completely cool, it’s time to add the frosting. Transfer the cream cheese frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, then pipe the frosting onto each blondie. To finish, sprinkle a touch of pumpkin pie spice over the frosting for a delightful presentation. Enjoy these seasonal treats with friends and family!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven is at the right temperature for baking.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup of melted butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 large egg. Use a whisk or spatula to mix everything together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice into the wet mixture. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.
Step 4: Prepare Muffin Cups
Take your mini muffin pan and coat each cup generously with nonstick spray. This will help prevent the blondies from sticking and make removal easier.
Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups
Using a spoon or a small scoop, fill each muffin cup with the batter, filling them about two-thirds full. Avoid overfilling to prevent spillingover while baking.
Step 6: Bake
Place the filled muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 13-15 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of a blondie; it should come out clean when they are ready.
Step 7: Cool in Muffin Pan
Remove the muffin pan from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will allow the blondies to set before they’re taken out.
Step 8: Cool Completely
After a few minutes, carefully remove the blondies from the muffin cups and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s important for them to be cool before frosting.
Step 9: Prepare Icing
While the blondies are cooling, take a 12-ounce can of cream cheese frosting and transfer it into a piping bag. Fit the piping bag with a large star tip for decorative icing.
Step 10: Frost the Blondies
Once the blondies are completely cooled, pipe the cream cheese frosting onto each one, creating decorative swirls.
Step 11: Add Finishing Touch
Finish by sprinkling a little pumpkin pie spice over the frosted blondies for added flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
Tip for Perfect Blondies
Make sure to not overmix the batter after adding the flour to maintain a nice texture.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Substitutions
You can use regular butter if you don’t have melted butter, but it’s better to melt it for this recipe. Additionally, you can use pumpkin spice mix if you don’t have specific pumpkin pie spice.
Cook techniques
Mixing Ingredients
When combining the sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, and egg, ensure thorough mixing to achieve a smooth and homogeneous batter. This helps in developing the right texture.
Folding in Flour and Spices
Gently fold in the all-purpose flour and pumpkin pie spice to avoid overmixing, which can result in dense blondies. Mix until just incorporated.
Proper Muffin Cup Preparation
Spraying the mini muffin cups with nonstick spray is crucial to prevent the blondies from sticking, ensuring easy removal after baking.
Checking for Doneness
Insert a toothpick into the center of a blondie to check for doneness. It should come out clean or with a few crumbs attached, indicating that they’re ready to be removed from the oven.
Cooling Process
Allow the blondies to cool in the muffin cups for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set properly for easy removal and prevents crumbling.
Frosting Application
Using a piping bag with a large star tip allows for a decorative frosting application. Apply the cream cheese frosting evenly on top of each blondie for a professional finish.
Finishing Touch
Sprinkling pumpkin pie spice over the frosting enhances flavor and presentation, giving the blondies an appealing autumn-inspired look.
FAQ
Can I use white sugar instead of brown sugar?
While white sugar can be used, brown sugar adds moisture and a slight caramel flavor, which is ideal for blondies.
What can I substitute for cream cheese frosting?
You can use vanilla buttercream or whipped cream cheese as alternatives to cream cheese frosting, depending on your preference.
How should I store the blondies?
Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?
Yes, feel free to mix in chocolate chips or nuts for added texture and flavor, but be mindful of not overloading the batter.
What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?
If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make your own by combining ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice in equal parts.
Conclusion
This recipe for pumpkin spice blondies offers a delightful twist on traditional blondies, perfect for fall or any time you crave a cozy treat. The combination of brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and rich cream cheese frosting creates a deliciously flavorful dessert that is sure to impress family and friends. Enjoy these moist and aromatic blondies at gatherings or as a sweet indulgence for yourself.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Maple Pecan Blondies
Substitute some of the brown sugar with maple syrup and add chopped pecans to enhance the nutty flavor.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Blondies
Mix in chocolate chips for a chocolaty twist that pairs wonderfully with the pumpkin spice flavor.
Coconut Cream Frosting
Instead of cream cheese frosting, try a coconut cream frosting topped with shredded coconut for a tropical flair.
Gingerbread Blondies
Replace pumpkin pie spice with gingerbread spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a warm, festive treat.
Nut Butter Swirl
Add a swirl of your favorite nut butter, like almond or peanut butter, to the batter before baking for added richness.
Apple Cinnamon Blondies
Incorporate diced apples and a little extra cinnamon to give your blondies a fruity and aromatic update.
