Apple Cinnamon Blondies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1

Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large pan on LOW heat, melt 1 cup of butter (2 sticks).

Step 2

In a medium sized bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk together until combined and set aside.

Step 3

Once your butter is melted, turn the heat up slightly (low - medium) and get the butter slightly browned. This should just be a few minutes - stir frequently to avoid burning.

Step 4

While your butter is browning, peel 2 apples and chop into small pieces. Saute in a large pan with 1 tbsp of butter for 10 minutes. This is to cook the apples slightly before baking. Add in 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and stir well. Remove from heat.

Step 5

Add melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla to a large bowl and mix well with a hand mixer. It should be sort of a caramel consistency. Add in your dry ingredients and fold together with a spatula.

Step 6

Add in your cinnamon apples and fold in. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper and bake for 35-45 minutes (keep an eye on this as every oven is different). The tops should be golden brown and the center should be firm (not jiggly).

Step 7

While your blondies are baking, make your cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl add your SOFTENED cream cheese and butter. Use a hand mixer to fully combine. Add in your powdered sugar and maple syrup, mix again. Place in the fridge.

Step 8

Remove pan from oven and let cool for 1 hour before removing. After 1 hour, lift from the parchment paper and transfer to a cooling rack, let cool for another 1-2 hours. You want this fully cooled because your frosting will melt (from the butter) if placed on too warm of blondies.

Step 9

Spread your frosting on your blondies, top with cinnamon, and cut into squares and enjoy!