Apple Cinnamon Blondies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

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These apple cinnamon blondies bring the cozy flavors of fall in every bite. Soft apples, warm cinnamon, and a chewy base come together under a maple cream cheese frosting that makes them irresistible. They’re quick to make, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to fill your kitchen with the smell of autumn.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Blondies

First, they’re chewy and moist, with warm spice and apples.
In addition, the maple cream cheese frosting adds a creamy finish.
They are also easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
Finally, they’re great for gatherings, bake sales, or weeknight treats.

Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Blondies

Here’s everything you’ll need to bring these blondies to life. From pantry basics to fresh apples and creamy frosting, each ingredient plays a role in creating that chewy, spiced bar with a sweet maple finish.

Pantry & Fresh Ingredients for Blondies

Ingredient	Amount
Unsalted butter, melted & browned	1 cup (2 sticks)
All-purpose flour	2 ⅓ cups (290 g)
Baking powder	1 ½ tsp
Salt	½ tsp
Cinnamon	1 tsp (plus ¼ tsp for apples)
Nutmeg	¼ tsp
Brown sugar	1 ⅔ cups (330 g)
Eggs	2 large
Vanilla extract	1 ½ tsp
Honeycrisp apples, peeled & chopped	2 cups
Butter (for apples)	1 tbsp
Cream cheese, softened	6 oz
Butter, softened	4 tbsp
Powdered sugar	¾ cup
Maple syrup	3 tbsp

Flatlay of ingredients for apple cinnamon blondies with maple frosting

Substitutions for Blondies and Frosting

If you don’t have Honeycrisp apples, Granny Smith works for a tart bite or Fuji for added sweetness. You can also swap maple syrup with honey or a splash of vanilla for a simple cream cheese frosting. For a dairy-free option, use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives. Furthermore, gluten-free flour blends (1:1) work well, though textures may vary slightly.

Step-by-Step Apple Cinnamon Blondies

Making these blondies is straightforward and satisfying. Each stage builds flavor and texture, from browning the butter to whipping the frosting.

Brown the Butter
First, preheat oven to 350°F. Heat the butter in a pan and cook until it turns golden with a nutty aroma.nutty.
Cook the Apples
Next, sauté chopped apples with butter and cinnamon for 10 minutes until softened.
Mix the Batter
Then, combine browned butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Fold in flour, spices, and apples. Spread into a parchment-lined 9×13 pan.
Bake and Frost
Finally, bake 35–40 minutes until golden. Cool fully, then frost with maple cream cheese frosting and cut into squares.

Apple cinnamon blondie batter spread in a baking pan with apples

Pro Tips for Perfect Blondies

For best results, measure flour with a scale; too much makes blondies dry. Always let blondies cool before frosting, or the icing will melt. Moreover, metal pans bake faster than ceramic, so check early. Keep apples chopped small for even bites, and sautéing them first prevents soggy pockets in your blondies.

Variations & Substitutions

For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 GF flour blend. To make it dairy-free, replace butter and cream cheese with non-dairy alternatives. In addition, for a vegan batch, add flax eggs in place of eggs. On a budget? Skip the frosting or reduce the sugar slightly without losing flavor. You can also add nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch, or drizzle caramel over the frosting for an extra indulgent fall treat.

Serve It With

These blondies pair beautifully with hot apple cider, spiced chai tea, black coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For more cozy desserts, try our Apple Crumble Cheesecake, Apple Pie Cupcakes, Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake, or Lemon Cakes Great Gatsby Recipe.

Frosted apple cinnamon blondies served with apples on a plate

Storage & Reheat

Store frosted blondies in the refrigerator for 5–7 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted blondies tightly wrapped, then thaw and frost before serving. To refresh, microwave individual squares for 10–15 seconds. According to the USDA Food Safety Guidelines, desserts with cream cheese frosting should always be refrigerated. For additional wellness and nutrition tips, see the NIH Wellness Toolkits.

Nutrition

If you loved these apple cinnamon blondies, you’ll also enjoy Classic Pumpkin Roll for a holiday classic, Apple Pecan Tart for a nutty twist, Baked Cranberry Brie Bites as a festive appetizer, and Black Velvet Cake for something dramatic and indulgent.

FAQs About Apple Cinnamon Blondies

What is the difference between blondies and brownies?

Blondies skip cocoa, using brown sugar and vanilla for a caramel-like flavor.

Can I make apple cinnamon blondies without frosting?

Yes, they’re still tasty plain or with a light glaze.

How do you store blondies with cream cheese frosting?

Keep them chilled in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

What apples are best for baking blondies?

Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, they keep texture and balance sweetness.

More Like This Apple Cinnamon Blondies

Try more fall-ready desserts: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are creamy and tart, Brown Butter Pecan Blondies bring nutty crunch, Pumpkin Snickerdoodles deliver cozy spice, and Maple Pecan Pie Bars are sweet and buttery.

Save This Recipe for Later

Pin it to your dessert board or bookmark it for fall baking season. Share it with friends and family so everyone can enjoy a square of apple cinnamon blondie goodness.