Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Apple Blondies topped with a luscious Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Combining the warm tastes of cinnamon-spiced apples, brown butter blondie batter, and a creamy maple-infused frosting, this recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and cozy flavors ideal for fall or any time you crave a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Blondies
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
- 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1⅔ cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Apples
- 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces 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 ground cinnamon (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking oil to ensure the blondies won’t stick.
- Brown the Butter: In a small saucepan over low to medium heat, melt 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter. Stir constantly to prevent burning and cook until the butter turns a light brown color with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the Apples: In a separate large saucepan, combine the peeled and chopped apples with 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the apples are soft and flexible. Remove from heat, stir in ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until well combined.
- Make the Blondie Batter: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the browned butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract together until thick and caramel-like. Gently fold in the flour mixture with a spatula, then fold in the cooked apple mixture until just combined.
- Bake the Blondies: Spread the blondie batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the center is firm to the touch without jiggle. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and combined. Add the powdered sugar and pure maple syrup and mix until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled blondies. Dust the top with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon for extra flavor. Cut into 24 squares and enjoy!
Notes
- The browned butter adds a rich, nutty flavor; do not rush this step to avoid burning.
- Make sure the blondies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Store blondies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a walnut crunch, fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts into the batter before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (1/24 of recipe)
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
