I've had a few conversations with people recently that I know "in real life" but who also read this blog. They've mentioned how healthy we are, citing things like my use of Kale, my kids eating our homegrown vegetables, "weird" whole grains in baking recipes, or just how often we cook our meals from scratch. This strikes me as funny.
It's not that I think we are unhealthy, but I guess there are a lot of ways to define "healthy." In some of the conversations, the word "healthy" was cited almost as a negative thing. A friend actually told me that she thought about bringing us cookies but then didn't because she knows we are so "healthy."
I was thinking about this as I mixed up these Cinnamon Apple Blondies and again as we drizzled them with Caramel Sauce and enjoyed every sticky bite. They aren't what I would necessarily call healthy, but as I define the word, they fall in that range. My food philosophy, if you can even call it that, boils down to this:
If you're cooking at home and cooking from scratch, you're doing okay. If you throw in some kale and some whole grain spelt, you're doing even better.
In my definition of healthy, there's room for a delicious homemade treat. I bring you these absolutely wonderful Cinnamon Apple Blondies with Caramel Sauce from my "healthy" family kitchen. They are crazy good and a perfect Autumn treat.
In my experience, the more you cook at home, the easier it is to start branching out and using more ingredients like that weird spelt flour and kale. Cooking invites creativity and inspires me to look for ingredients that I can experiment with, which is how I end up cooking with Tamari and Tamarind Puree and Beet Greens.
That being said, this healthy kitchen of mine will always be open for a good, chewy blondie bar, especially if it's served with caramel sauce too.
Cinnamon Apple Blondies with Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
Caramel Sauce
Instructions
To prepare Caramel Sauce:
Yum
Alison K. says
These are going on my must try list. That recipe is our favorite for caramel sauce. Yum.
Allison says
I am all about the caramel sauce right now - good on almost everything! Hope you enjoy these. Thanks for commenting.
Kimberly says
There’s always room for a delicious homemade treat, especially when served and enjoyed with the little ones.
Allison says
I completely agree! Thanks for stopping by here Kimberly!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Really lovely looking blondies! I love that sauce on top!
Allison says
Thank you Katrina! The sauce really takes them to the next level.
Renée Hall says
Just to echo your nutrition philosophy, I am a nutritionist, and my program at Brigham Young University emphasized that ice cream has a place in a healthy diet, just like kale and whole grains. Occasional treats are essential for nurturing a healthy relationship with food. Bravo on the blondies!
Allison says
Thank you! I love having a nutritionist back me up 😉 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
I'll take all of THIS...and a 'healthy' serving of THAT sauce, thank you!!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Yes! That's what I like to hear! Thanks for commenting.
Andreea says
Well, this is what I call decadent dessert. Amaaaaaaziiiinnnnnnnngggg! ???? Nuce meeting you!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Well, thank you so much! Nice meeting you too.
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
I completely share your nutrition philosophy Allison. Try to eat healthy for most meals and throw in special indulgences every now and then. And I couldn't think of a more appropriate indulgence for fall than an apple cinnamon blondie with a heavenly drizzle of caramel hugging it.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Lynn - it's nice to know I'm not alone in my thoughts on this. Happy Autumn!
Vicky @ Avocdo Pesto says
That's crazy that people didn't know about you bringing cookies over since you cook so "healthy"
and I totally agree if you're cooking at home from scratch you're already doing well, and can totally indulge in a delicious dessert like this every now and then!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks for taking the time to comment Vicky! It's nice to know there are other people who think like me when it comes to home cooking and dessert. 🙂
Rae says
Oh wow these look absolutely delicious! Love the idea of using caramel for these blondies as well!
Rae | Love from Berlin
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Rae! Something about this time of year makes me want to put caramel on everything 🙂
Cristie | Little Big H says
These look really delicious. Cant wait to try them. Love the caramel sauce drizzled on top - yum!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Cristie - I really hope you like them!
Dee says
That caramel sauce looks amazing -- perfect for fall!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thank you Dee.
Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says
Caramel and apple? My fave combination of flavours! Your blondie looks absolutely scrumptious! I used to caramelize apple on the pan for a quick dessert when I was smaller 🙂
somethewiser@gmail.com says
This combo is quickly becoming my new fall favorite too - can't get enough of all things apple these days! Thanks for commenting Sylvia!
Celine @ Mrs Minty Cream says
Love anything with caramel sauce! Yours looks really sweet and yummy! 🙂
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Celine!
Wajeeha says
This looks crazy delicious. I need it right now!! Can you send me some please? 🙂
somethewiser@gmail.com says
If only baked goods could survive the mail 😉 We need scratch and sniff computer screens for sure!
Byron Thomas says
Ok, it's before 9am here and now I want to forego my cereal for blondies. I have everything on hand to make these. You've just planned my Sunday afternoon for me. 🙂
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I hope you enjoyed them! My kids and I actually did eat these for breakfast, though we did skip the caramel sauce . . . as if that helps!
Sabrina says
I put caramel apple blondies on my to-make list a few weeks ago! You read my mind-these look fantastic!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
It's the time of year that caramel and apples are on the top of so many lists! Thanks for stopping by Sabrina!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I need these in my life NOW! That sauce looks so rich and decadent, can't even imagine how good these must be!
ripon hassan says
Everything has been so nicely described that really helped me lots. And i truly appreciate for that.