Name: Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
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· 4.9 from 8 reviews

If you have a sweet tooth and love a chewy, nutty treat, then you’re going to adore this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe. Seriously, these blondies are a total game-changer—rich maple flavor with crunchy toasted pecans nestled inside, and a perfect balance of sweet and buttery that just melts in your mouth. I can’t wait to walk you through this recipe because once you try it, these blondies will instantly become your new go-to for dessert or an afternoon snack.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The pure maple syrup adds a warm, natural sweetness that complements the nutty pecans beautifully.
Buttery, Chewy Texture: Using melted butter and brown sugar creates that melt-in-your-mouth chewiness you crave in blondies.
Toasted Pecans for Crunch: Toasting pecans brings out their full flavor and adds a satisfying crunch to each bite.
Simple Ingredients & Steps: No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients, making this recipe easy for bakers of all skill levels.

Maple Pecan Blondies, maple blondie recipe, nutty blondie bars, caramel pecan blondies, buttery dessert 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

Every ingredient in this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe plays a special role, creating a harmonious blend of flavor and texture. I always recommend using the best quality maple syrup you can find—it really shines through in this recipe!

Maple Pecan Blondies, maple blondie recipe, nutty blondie bars, caramel pecan blondies, buttery dessert 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 structure and that classic blondie crumb we all love.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors perfectly.
Baking powder: Gives just the right lift to keep blondies tender but not cakey.
Baking soda: Works with acidic brown sugar for subtle rise and browning.
Unsalted butter: Melted for easy mixing and rich, indulgent flavor.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes.
Pure maple syrup: The star ingredient—adds natural sweetness and that unmistakable maple flavor.
Eggs: Essential for binding and giving the blondies their chewy texture.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out flavor with cozy warmth.
Pecans: Toasted for crunch and nuttiness—totally worth the extra step!

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste. Over the years, I’ve had fun trying different nuts and tweaks to the sweetness level—you definitely can too!

Nut Swap: I’ve swapped pecans with walnuts or even almonds, and it works beautifully—just toast them first for that perfect crunch.
Maple Boost: If you love maple as much as I do, try drizzling a little extra maple syrup on top right after baking for an added sticky glaze.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend—just make sure it’s one suitable for baking so you keep that chewy texture.
Dark Chocolate Addition: For an indulgent twist, fold in some chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips with the pecans.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Pan

I always start by gathering everything I need—makes the process smoother, trust me! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides; this will help you lift out the blondies easily once cooled.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. This might seem basic, but making sure these are combined well upfront helps your blondies turn out evenly tender and perfectly textured.

Step 3: Melt Butter, Sugar & Maple Syrup

Into a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and pure maple syrup. Stir continuously until everything is melted and smooth—this usually takes around 6 minutes. Patience here really pays off because the mixture thickens and that caramel flavor deepens beautifully.

Step 4: Add Eggs & Vanilla, Then Combine

Remove your saucepan from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes. You don’t want to add eggs to hot liquid or they might scramble! Once cooled, stir in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. Then, pour this buttery, sweet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined.

Step 5: Fold in Pecans & Bake

Fold 1 1/4 cups of those beautifully toasted and chopped pecans into the batter. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing it evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup pecans on top for that irresistible crunch in every bite. Pop it in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the blondies are set and a thermometer reads 200°F (93°C) internally.

Step 6: Cool & Cut

Once baked, cool the blondies in the pan for about 10 minutes on a wire rack. Then, carefully lift them out using your parchment paper edges and let them cool completely before cutting into bars. I find this resting time crucial—it helps the blondies hold together so you get clean, gorgeous slices every time.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Rush Cooling: Cooling your blondies completely prevents them from crumbling when you cut them.
Toast Pecans for Maximum Flavor: I toast mine in a dry skillet until fragrant, which wakes up their natural oils and taste.
Watch Your Oven: Since ovens can vary, I start checking a few minutes early to avoid overbaking—moist blondies are the goal!
Maple Syrup Quality Matters: Using a good quality pure maple syrup makes a surprising difference in flavor depth.

How to Serve Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe

Maple Pecan Blondies, maple blondie recipe, nutty blondie bars, caramel pecan blondies, buttery dessert 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 to sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top right after the blondies come out of the oven—it highlights the sweetness and adds a gourmet touch. Sometimes, I drizzle a bit of warm maple syrup or even a light dusting of powdered sugar for an extra-special look.

Side Dishes

These blondies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for dessert. For a cozy brunch vibe, serve alongside a cup of hot coffee or a creamy latte—I find it’s just the perfect sweet bite to brighten any day.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I cut these blondies into small, bite-sized squares and arrange them on a pretty platter with fresh berries and edible flowers. Another fun idea is to create a layered dessert by chopping the blondies and layering them with maple whipped cream and toasted nuts in jars—everyone loves this rustic, elegant presentation!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any uneaten blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them perfectly soft and chewy. If you live somewhere humid, placing a slice of bread in the container helps keep moisture balanced and prevents them from drying out.

Freezing

Freezing works like a charm with this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe—I wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They last up to 3 months this way. When you’re ready to indulge, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a couple of hours.

Reheating

To enjoy warm blondies, I pop a piece in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds—it’s just enough to bring back that soft texture without making them tough. Alternatively, a quick bake at 300°F for 5 minutes works great if you want to refresh a larger batch.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of nut in the Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe?

Absolutely! While pecans add that classic buttery crunch, walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts can be great alternatives. Just toast them lightly before folding into the batter for the best flavor.
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?

Look for edges that are set and lightly golden while the center should still feel slightly soft but not liquidy. For precision, a thermometer reading 200°F (93°C) in the center usually means they’re perfectly baked.
Can I make these blondies vegan or dairy-free?

You can! Swap the butter for vegan margarine or coconut oil, and use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. It might slightly change the texture but still deliciously satisfying.
What’s the best way to store leftover blondies?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze them for longer storage. Adding a slice of bread to the container helps keep them moist.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Maple Pecan Blondies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s one of those recipes that’s both simple and spectacular. From the cozy aroma that fills your kitchen while baking, to the warm, nutty sweetness in every bite, it feels like a comforting hug. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s easy to make but truly memorable, give this recipe a go—you won’t regret it, and you might just find yourself baking it again and again, just like I do!