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.
🛒 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.
