Description

Apple Cinnamon Blondies are soft, chewy dessert bars infused with warm spices, sweet diced apples, and topped with a luscious maple cream cheese frosting. Perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or cozy evenings, these blondies capture the flavors of the season in every bite. Easy to make, adaptable for various diets, and bursting with comforting flavor, this recipe is a crowd-pleasing favorite year-round.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Blondie Base:

½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup finely diced apple (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup pure maple syrup
1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of fine sea salt
Optional: ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional Add-Ins:

¼ cup chopped nuts, oats, or coarse sugar (for texture)

Dietary Substitutions:

Plant-based butter or dairy-free cream cheese for dairy-free
Gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free
Flax egg for vegan version

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven: to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting. Lightly grease.
Mix wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy. Whisk in egg and vanilla until combined.
Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Combine and fold: Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix. Gently fold in diced apples.
Bake: Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 22–28 minutes, until edges are set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan.
Prepare frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Gradually mix in powdered sugar (and cinnamon if using) until light and fluffy. Adjust with more syrup or sugar for desired consistency.
Assemble: Spread frosting evenly over cooled blondies. Chill for 15 minutes to set.
Slice and serve: Lift blondies out of the pan, cut into 16 squares, and serve.

Notes

Use crisp-tart apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) for the best flavor and texture.
Let blondies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
Add cardamom, cloves, or ginger for a deeper spiced flavor.
For a vegan version, use flax egg and plant-based dairy substitutes.
Frosted blondies keep in the fridge up to 4 days; unfrosted can be frozen for 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert / Bars
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 blondie
Calories: ~230 kcal
Sugar: ~22 g
Sodium: ~110 mg
Fat: ~10 g
Saturated Fat: ~6 g
Unsaturated Fat: ~3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: ~32 g
Fiber: ~1 g
Protein: ~2 g
Cholesterol: ~35 mg