Apple Cinnamon Blondies
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Say hello to your new fall favorite: chewy apple blondies that are fudgy in the center, crisp at the edges, and packed with warm spice and real apple. Whether you enjoy them plain, frosted, or warmed under a scoop of vanilla ice cream, these bars turn any evening into a cozy celebration.
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🛒 Ingredients
| For the Blondies | |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter (melted, slightly cooled) | ½ cup |
| Light brown sugar (packed) | 1 cup |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Baking powder | ½ tsp |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | ¼ tsp |
| Fine sea salt | ¼ tsp |
| Peeled, finely diced apple | 1 cup (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or favorite baking apple) |
| For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting | |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese (softened) | 4 oz |
| Unsalted butter (softened) | 2 tbsp |
| Pure maple syrup | ¼ cup |
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract | ½ tsp |
| Fine sea salt | Pinch |
| Ground cinnamon (optional) | ¼ tsp |
👨🍳 Instructions
- Prep the pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting. Lightly grease. - Make the blondie batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until glossy. Add egg and vanilla; whisk until smooth.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir dry ingredients into wet using a spatula—just until combined.
Fold in diced apple. - Bake
Spread batter evenly in the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 22–28 minutes, until edges are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. - Make the frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until creamy. Add maple syrup, vanilla, and salt; mix until smooth.
Gradually beat in powdered sugar (and cinnamon, if using), starting on low and increasing to medium until fluffy. Adjust consistency with more sugar or syrup if needed. - Finish & serve
Spread frosting over cooled blondies. Chill for 15 minutes to set. Lift from pan, cut into 16 squares, and serve.
🍁 Tips & Variations
- Extra cozy: Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the batter for crunch.
- Dairy-free option: Use plant-based butter and cream cheese for the frosting.
- Flavor twist: Swap maple syrup for honey or add a splash of bourbon for grown-up flair.
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