Description

These Apple Cinnamon Blondies are the ultimate fall dessert—soft, chewy, and infused with buttery brown sugar, warm spices, and tender Honeycrisp apples. Topped with a silky maple cream cheese frosting, they’re perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings, cozy weekends, or anytime you want a sweet taste of autumn.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Blondies:

1 cup (2 sticks / 226 g) unsalted butter, melted and browned
2 1/3 cups (290 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 2/3 cups (330 g) brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Apples:

2 cups (about 250 g) peeled and chopped Honeycrisp apples
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter

For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:

6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (90 g) confectioners’ sugar
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon

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Instructions

Brown the butter: Melt butter over low heat, then cook until golden and nutty.
Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Cook apples: Sauté apples with butter and cinnamon for 10 minutes until softened.
Make blondie base: Beat browned butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in dry mixture.
Add apples: Stir in sautéed apples. Spread into a parchment-lined 9×13 pan.
Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–45 minutes (28–30 minutes if using a metal pan), until golden and set.
Cool completely: 1 hour in pan, then 1–2 hours on a rack.
Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Chill.
Frost & serve: Spread frosting on cooled blondies, sprinkle with cinnamon, cut into squares, and serve.

Notes

Don’t frost warm blondies—let them cool fully.

Brown butter enhances the depth of flavor.

Honeycrisp works best, but Granny Smith or Gala are fine substitutes.

Store frosted blondies in the fridge; unfrosted ones freeze well.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35–45 minutes
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American