Name: Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 2/3 cup unsalted butter; 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup pure maple syrup; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups pecans, toasted and chopped, divided

Jump to Recipe·5 from 35 reviews

If you’ve been on the lookout for a dessert that’s both comforting and a little sophisticated, you’re going to absolutely adore this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe. Seriously, these blondies are the perfect balance of rich butter, warm maple sweetness, and crunchy toasted pecans—it’s like autumn wrapped up in a bite! I first made these on a chilly weekend and honestly, they vanished faster than I expected. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so you can nail these beauties right in your kitchen.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Sweetness: The maple syrup provides a deep, nuanced sweetness that pairs beautifully with brown sugar.
Texture Harmony: The blondies are soft and chewy inside with a nicely toasted pecan crunch that adds a fun texture contrast.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Using pantry staples like flour and butter, this recipe highlights how a few quality ingredients can shine when combined thoughtfully.
Reliable and Foolproof: The step-by-step mix of dry and wet ingredients avoids overmixing, so you’re guaranteed tender bars every time.

Maple Pecan Blondies, maple pecan blondies recipe, easy blondies with pecans, comforting fall desserts, homemade blondie bars - A square baked dessert with a light brown top covered in scattered pieces of pecans. It is in a white baking pan lined with parchment paper that folds over the edges. The baked item looks soft and slightly puffy, with a smooth but slightly textured surface from the nuts. The pan sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe plays its part to create that irresistible flavor and perfect texture. When you shop, be sure to reach for pure maple syrup and fresh pecans, because these really boost the overall taste—and you’ll notice the difference!

Maple Pecan Blondies, maple pecan blondies recipe, easy blondies with pecans, comforting fall desserts, homemade blondie bars - Flat lay of glossy golden maple syrup in a small glass jar, rich brown packed brown sugar with a slightly coarse texture, smooth pale yellow unsalted butter, a cluster of raw light brown pecans with textured shells and some chopped pecan pieces scattered loosely, two large fresh brown eggs with smooth shells, a small vanilla bean pod with its dark brown wrinkled surface, and a mound of soft off-white all-purpose flour, all beautifully arranged with natural spacing and gentle shadows, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure without making the blondies cakey, keeping them chewy and dense.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, especially cutting through the sweetness.
Baking powder & baking soda: These leaveners work together to give just the right lift and tenderness.
Unsalted butter: Melts into the batter, offering richness and moisture.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel undertone that pairs perfectly with maple.
Pure maple syrup: The star sweetener—go for 100% pure to get that authentic depth.
Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the tender crumb.
Vanilla extract: Amplifies the maple flavor and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
Pecans: Toasted to bring out their nuttiness, they add crunch and offset the sweet with a toasty bite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you like your bars a little nuttier, more maple-forward, or even with a touch of chocolate, you can tweak it the way you want.

Variation: Personally, I love swapping half the pecans for walnuts when I want a slightly earthier flavor, and it works amazingly well!
Dietary substitution: If you want to avoid butter, coconut oil is a decent swap but changes the flavor a bit—try it if you’re curious!
Extra maple punch: Drizzle some maple glaze on top post-baking for a maple overload that’s awesome for special occasions.
Added texture: Toss in a handful of mini chocolate chips or dried cranberries if you want contrast in every bite.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Dry Ingredients

Start by lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to extend it over the sides for easy removal later. Then whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. This pre-mixing step helps ensure even distribution so your blondies bake uniformly—no random salty bites or weird textures!

Step 2: Melt Butter, Brown Sugar & Maple Syrup

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup, stirring constantly. It usually takes about 6 minutes to get everything melted and silky-smooth. Patience here is key—don’t rush or burn it! After removing from heat, let this mixture cool for about 10 minutes. This cooling step prevents the eggs from scrambling when you add them later.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Once cooled, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until blended. Pour this wet mixture into your dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Overmixing is a common pitfall here and leads to tough bars, so go slow and stop as soon as things come together. Then fold in 1 1/4 cups of the toasted, chopped pecans—you want those bursts of nutty flavor throughout!

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup pecans over the surface for that extra crunch and visual appeal. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35 to 40 minutes. You’re looking for the bars to be set and an internal temperature of about 200°F (93°C) if you’ve got a thermometer handy—this ensures they’re fully cooked but still fudgy. Once out, cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before lifting the blondies out by the parchment. Let them cool completely—that’ll help them hold together when you cut into bars.

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Pro Tips for Making Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe

Toast Those Pecans: Toasting your pecans beforehand really amps up their flavor—don’t skip this! Just 5-7 minutes in the oven at 350°F does the trick.
Watch the Bake Time: Overbaking dries out blondies; start checking around 33 minutes to keep that perfect chewy texture.
Use Parchment Paper Properly: Letting the paper hang over the pan edges helps you lift the entire batch out neatly once cooled—saves your blondies and your patience!
Don’t Overmix Batter: Stir just until combined to avoid dense or tough bars.

How to Serve Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe

Maple Pecan Blondies, maple pecan blondies recipe, easy blondies with pecans, comforting fall desserts, homemade blondie bars - Nine square pieces of light brown nut bars sit on a silver cooling rack. Each bar has small, uneven chunks of pecans scattered on top, creating a rough texture. The bars are evenly spaced in three rows and three columns, showing a soft, baked surface. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little flaky sea salt on top just before serving—it adds a surprising pop that balances the sweetness wonderfully. Sometimes, a light drizzle of extra maple syrup is irresistible and makes these blondies feel extra special.

Side Dishes

Pair these blondies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent treat. They also work beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea, making them perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or cozy dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or parties, I like to cut the blondies into bite-sized squares and place them in cupcake liners—makes for easy grab-and-go treats. Another favorite presentation is stacking them with layers of sliced fresh fruit or a drizzle of caramel sauce on a pretty platter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They generally stay moist and delicious for about 3 to 4 days—perfect for your midweek snack cravings.

Freezing

These blondies freeze wonderfully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours or overnight. This is my go-to for prepping ahead during busy holiday seasons.

Reheating

To warm up your blondies, pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds or into a low oven (around 300°F) wrapped in foil for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes their soft texture without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I use light or dark maple syrup for this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe?

Absolutely! Light maple syrup will give you a milder maple flavor, while dark syrup offers a stronger, more robust taste. I recommend pure syrup over artificial flavorings for the best depth and aroma.
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?

Look for a set top that springs back lightly when touched and edges pulling away slightly from the pan. If you have a thermometer, aim for about 200°F internally to ensure they’re cooked but still fudge-like inside.
Can I substitute pecans for other nuts?

Yes! Walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts work well. Just toast them to deepen their flavor like you would pecans. Keep in mind each nut brings a unique texture and taste.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Definitely. Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s meant for baking (my favorite is one with xanthan gum included) and watch the texture carefully as gluten-free flours can sometimes make blondies more crumbly.

Final Thoughts

This Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe is one I’ve revisited many times because it hits that sweet spot of simple ingredients and showstopper results. It’s the kind of dessert I gladly share with friends because it’s always met with smiles and “wow” moments. So, whether you want to impress at your next gathering or simply treat yourself, give this recipe a try—you won’t regret it, and your kitchen will smell incredible while it bakes.