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Cinnamon Blondies with Caramelized Apples and Cream Cheese Frosting

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These cinnamon blondies with caramelized apples and cream cheese frosting are a cozy, indulgent dessert featuring a chewy spiced base, tender apples, and a rich, tangy topping—perfect for fall or any comfort food craving.

  • Author: Ella
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9–12 bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (blondies)
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed (blondies)
  • 1 large egg (blondies)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (blondies)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (blondies)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (blondies)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (blondies)
  • 2 apples, peeled and diced (caramelized apples)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (caramelized apples)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (caramelized apples)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon (caramelized apples)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened (frosting)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (frosting)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Blondies: Stir together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in egg and vanilla, then add flour, cinnamon, and salt. Spread batter evenly in the pan.
  3. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let cool completely.
  4. Caramelized Apples: While the blondies bake, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook for 6–8 minutes until apples are soft and caramelized. Let cool slightly.
  5. Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy.
  6. Spread cream cheese frosting over cooled blondies. Spoon caramelized apples evenly on top.
  7. Chill for 15–20 minutes for easier slicing or serve immediately.

Notes

  • Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the blondie batter for crunch.
  • Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples for extra richness.
  • Substitute pears for apples for a seasonal variation.
  • Bars can be frozen without frosting for up to 2 months.
  • Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://elladishes.com/cinnamon-blondies-with-caramelized-apples-and-cream-cheese-frosting/