Apple Blondies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

I’m so excited to share this Apple Blondies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe with you! It’s one of those cozy, fall-inspired treats that feels like a warm hug in dessert form. I love this because the tender blondies studded with tender cooked apples have a sneakily moist crumb, and that maple cream cheese frosting? Absolutely dreamy — it adds the perfect sweet-tangy finish.

You’ll find that this recipe works wonderfully for holidays, potlucks, or just as a special weekend baking project. Whenever I make these, my family goes crazy for them, and I’ve learned a few tricks to make sure your blondies turn out perfectly every time. Plus, the balance between the cinnamon-spiced apple bits and the rich cream cheese frosting is seriously next level.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Choosing fresh, good-quality ingredients really makes a difference here. The browned butter adds richness, and the apples bring that natural sweetness and moisture you want. Pro tip: pick a tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to balance the sweetness.

• Butter: Browning it deepens the flavor and keeps the blondies moist.
• Flour: Provides structure—make sure it’s sifted or well-whisked to avoid lumps.
• Baking powder: Helps the blondies rise just enough without making them cakey.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, don’t skip it!
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, cozy spice that complements the apples and maple.
• Brown sugar: Gives a deep caramel sweetness and keeps the texture chewy and tender.
• Eggs: Bind everything together for the perfect blondie texture.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a subtle sweetness.
• Apples (peeled and chopped): Cooked for softness, they add bursts of natural fruity flavor.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth.
• Pure maple syrup: Adds authentic maple flavor and a touch of liquid sweetness to the frosting.
• Cream cheese: Creates the rich, tangy base for the frosting.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own by switching up a few things here and there. Don’t hesitate to experiment a bit depending on the season or your preferences—you’ll discover what works best for you.

• Swap Apples for Pears: I tried pears once when apples were out of season, and the blondies still turned out wonderfully juicy and fragrant.
• Add Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch and contrast to the soft blondies—family favorite tweak!
• Make it Vegan: Use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives, plus a flax egg; I haven’t tried this myself yet, but it’s a great adaptation to explore.
• Spice it Up: A pinch of nutmeg or ginger in the batter can give an added warmth that’s perfect for colder months.

How to Make Apple Blondies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Butter and Cook the Apples

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch pan. I like using a cooking spray with oil to make sure the blondies come out easily without sticking. While the oven heats, melt the butter over low to medium heat in a saucepan, stirring constantly. It only takes a few minutes before you’ll smell a nutty aroma and see a light brown color—and that’s your cue to take it off the heat. Browning the butter is a game-changer for flavor, trust me!

On another burner, cook the peeled, chopped apples with a tablespoon of butter over medium heat. After about 10 minutes, the apples should be soft and tender but not mushy. Toss in the cinnamon, stir it all together, and set aside to cool. Cooking the apples first keeps them flavorful and moist inside the blondies without turning your batter runny.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

While your butter and apples are doing their thing, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. I like to take a few extra seconds here to really combine everything evenly—this makes sure the blondies bake up perfectly uniform with no weird pockets of baking powder or salt.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients & Fold In

Next, beat the browned butter with brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until it’s thick and caramel-colored. This step is where all the magic happens to get that rich blondie texture. Using a hand mixer helps speed things up, but a sturdy whisk works too if you don’t mind a little extra arm work!

Now fold in the dry ingredients gently, followed by the cooked apples—the batter will be thick, and that’s exactly what you want. Make sure the apples are cool or close to it before folding them in to prevent melting or making the batter too thin.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Set

Spread your batter evenly into the greased baking dish. This is one part you want to be gentle with so you don’t compress the apples too much. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the center is just firm—don’t rely only on time but also on visual cues and a gentle touch. The key is a firm middle that’s not jiggly, which means it’s perfectly baked but still moist.

Once out of the oven, let the blondies cool completely before frosting. I know it’s tempting to dive in immediately, but the frosting goes on best when the bars aren’t warm, or it will melt and get runny.

Step 5: Make and Spread the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Then add powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a little cinnamon, mixing until the frosting is luscious and spreadable. Spread it evenly over the cooled blondies—don’t skip this step because it’s where the indulgence really shines.

Finally, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top for that pretty finishing touch, cut into squares, and get ready for compliments!

How to Serve Apple Blondies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a simple gal when it comes to garnishes—just a light dusting of cinnamon on top really highlights the flavors, but you could also sprinkle chopped toasted walnuts or a drizzle of extra maple syrup if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

These blondies shine on their own but pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. For a fall-themed spread, I like serving them alongside a spiced latte or hot apple cider.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve arranged blondie squares on a wooden board scattered with apple slices and cinnamon sticks—it brings a rustic, inviting vibe that guests love. You could also cut the blondies into mini squares and serve them on toothpicks for a fun finger-food option.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover apple blondies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. They stay delicious for up to 4 days and actually develop even better flavor overnight.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, cut the blondies into squares first, then freeze without frosting on a baking sheet until firm. After that, stack them in a sealed container or bag. Frost them only after thawing completely in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

When reheating, I gently warm a blondie square in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring back that soft, buttery texture. Just be careful not to heat it too long or the frosting will get melty and lose its charm.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Apple Blondies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe feels like a special secret I love to share because it brings together cozy fall flavors with an easy, fail-proof process. Honestly, once you try it, you’ll find yourself coming back to it in every season because it just plain works and tastes incredible. So grab your apron and some fresh apples, and give it a whirl—you won’t regret it!

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