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Apple Cinnamon Blondies With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Apple cinnamon blondies with maple cream cheese frosting are baked into golden, chewy bars with diced apples and warm spices. Browned butter adds a nutty depth, and the frosting is swirled on top for a sweet, creamy finish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For blondies
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter melted and browned
  • 1.5 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cup apples peeled and finely diced
  • 0.5 cup walnuts optional
For maple cream cheese frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Bake the blondies
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F, then grease a 9x13 pan so the bars release cleanly.
  2. Brown the butter in a saucepan until it turns golden and smells nutty, then cool slightly so it doesn’t scramble the eggs.
  3. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined and speckled throughout.
  4. Whisk the browned butter and brown sugar until glossy, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until no dry streaks remain.
  6. Fold in the apples and walnuts until the batter looks evenly studded.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350F until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
  8. Cool completely so the frosting spreads without melting or sliding.
Make and spread the frosting
  1. Beat the cream cheese and softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy.
  2. Beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting holds together and becomes thick.
  3. Beat in the pure maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
  4. Spread the frosting over the cooled blondies, then finish with swirls for a glossy top layer.

Notes

For clean slices, let the bars cool completely before frosting, then chill in the fridge for 30-60 minutes so the maple cream cheese firms up. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freeze unfrosted blondies for up to 2 months (thaw overnight in the fridge) and frost after thawing for best texture. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese while keeping the frosting thickness by adding a bit more powdered sugar if needed.