Description
Delicious Apple Blondies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting combine tender, spiced apple pieces baked into buttery blondie bars, topped with a smooth and sweet maple-infused cream cheese frosting. These flavorful blondies are perfect for fall gatherings or any time you crave a cozy, fruit-forward dessert with a rich frosting finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Blondies
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
- 2⅓ cups flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1⅔ cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Apples
- 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounce cream cheese (1 block), softened to room temperature
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Butter: In a small saucepan over low to medium heat, melt 1 cup of butter. Stir constantly to prevent burning until the butter turns golden brown and fragrant, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the Apples: While browning the butter, in a separate large saucepan, add peeled and chopped apples and 1 tablespoon butter. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the apples become soft and flexible. Remove from heat, stir in ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until completely combined.
- Prepare Blondie Batter: In a large bowl, combine the browned melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer to blend until thick and caramel-like. Fold in the dry flour mixture gently with a spatula, then fold in the cooked cinnamon apples.
- Bake the Blondies: Evenly spread the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the center is firm but not jiggly. Remove and let cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together softened cream cheese and butter using a hand mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar and maple syrup, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled blondies. Dust with a little cinnamon for extra flavor. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the blondies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute apples with pears for a different fruit twist.
- The browned butter adds a nutty depth of flavor, so don’t skip this step.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For easier cutting, chill the blondies after frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 1/24th of recipe)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
