Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Apple Cinnamon Blondies topped with a luscious Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Packed with warm spices and tender apple pieces, these blondies offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Blondies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup peeled, chopped apples
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the blondies after baking.
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can lead to tougher blondies.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the peeled and chopped apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter for bursts of fruity flavor.
- Prepare to Bake: Pour the blondie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly using a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake the Blondies: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool the Blondies: Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to set properly before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy, forming the base of the frosting.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture, beating well after each addition to achieve a smooth texture.
- Incorporate Maple Syrup and Vanilla: Stir in the pure maple syrup and vanilla extract until the frosting is fully combined and smooth.
- Frost the Blondies: Once the blondies have cooled completely, spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using a spatula.
- Serve: Cut the frosted blondies into squares and serve. Enjoy the perfect combination of spiced apple flavor and creamy maple frosting.
Notes
- You can substitute Granny Smith apples for a tarter flavor or Fuji apples for a sweeter profile.
- Make sure the blondies are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For added texture, consider mixing in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts in step 6.
- Store blondies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To soften the cream cheese and butter quickly, leave them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
