Apple Brownies, also known as Apple Blondies, offer the best of both worlds: chewy blondie texture with the sweet and tart flavor of apples. These bars are made with fresh apples, toasted pecans, and warm cinnamon, making them a fantastic choice for your fall baking list. If you’re tired of the same old apple desserts like apple pie or apple crisp, this apple brownies recipe will bring a refreshing twist to your autumn gatherings.
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Why You’ll Love These Apple Brownies
Apple Brownies are an easy-to-make, irresistible dessert that will quickly become a family favorite. These bars have a thick, dense, and chewy texture that’s balanced by the tartness of Granny Smith apples and the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples. With toasted pecans and a dash of cinnamon, this recipe offers a comforting, warm fall flavor perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family night or a holiday gathering, these apple brownies bring all the comforting flavors of fall in a unique, delicious form.
Ingredients for Apple Brownies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Apple Brownies:
- Butter (salted): Adds richness and moisture to the batter, creating a tender texture.
- Sugar: Sweetens the batter, helping to balance the tartness of the apples.
- Egg: Provides structure and helps bind the ingredients together.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the batter, giving the brownies their soft, chewy texture.
- Baking powder: Helps the brownies rise and become light and airy.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Infuses the batter with a warm, cozy flavor that pairs perfectly with apples.
- Chopped apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp): Offers a mix of tartness and sweetness with a pleasant crunch.
- Toasted pecan pieces: Adds a toasty, nutty flavor that enhances the fall vibe of the dessert.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re looking for variations or substitutions, here are some ideas:
- Apples: You can swap in other apple varieties like Fuji or Gala for a sweeter flavor.
- Nuts: If you’re allergic to pecans or simply prefer a different nut, walnuts or almonds are excellent alternatives.
- Butter Substitute: For a dairy-free option, consider using plant-based butter or coconut oil.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Apple Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your 8×8-inch baking dish by greasing it with butter or lining it with parchment paper.
- Toast the pecans: In a small skillet, toast the pecan pieces until they become fragrant. This step adds a deeper flavor to the nuts, but it’s optional.
- Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks (about ½-inch pieces). You’ll need about 1 cup of chopped apples for this recipe.
- Make the batter: In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the apples and pecans: Gently fold the chopped apples and toasted pecans into the batter. The batter will be thick and sticky.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
- Cool: Let the Apple Brownies cool in the pan for at least 15-30 minutes before slicing. This ensures they firm up and are easier to cut.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Apple Brownies
- Don’t Overload with Apples: While it’s tempting to add extra apples, sticking to one cup of chopped apples is key to keeping the brownies from becoming too soft. Too many apples can make them too cake-like.
- For a Crispier Texture: If the bars become too soft after baking, pop them in the oven for a few minutes on broil or toast settings. This will crisp up the top and edges.
- Don’t Rush the Cooling: These Apple Brownies are best when cooled for at least 15 minutes. If you can wait longer, they will slice much more neatly.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
These Apple Brownies are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas to elevate your dessert:
- Serve with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream pairs beautifully with the warm, chewy bars.
- Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: For extra indulgence, drizzle some caramel sauce over the bars just before serving.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version of this recipe.
- Spicy Kick: Experiment with other warming spices like nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to add an extra depth of flavor.
Apple Brownies: A Fall Classic with a Twist
Apple Brownies bring all the flavors of fall together in a unique and delightful way. With their chewy texture, chunks of fresh apples, and toasted pecans, they’re the perfect treat for a cozy autumn day. Whether you’re enjoying them as a quick snack or serving them at your next holiday gathering, these apple brownies will surely impress. So grab your ingredients and get ready to bake up a batch of these irresistible bars that combine the best of brownies and apples!
Conclusion: The Perfect Fall Dessert
Apple Brownies are an irresistible combination of chewy blondie texture, sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and toasted pecans. With their rich fall flavors and delightful texture, they make an excellent choice for everything from casual gatherings to special occasions like Thanksgiving. The simplicity of the recipe combined with the comforting flavors makes these Apple Brownies a treat your family will love. Bake a batch today and enjoy these delicious bars with your favorite seasonal beverage or dessert pairing!
FAQ About Apple Brownies
1. Can I make Apple Brownies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Apple Brownies ahead of time. While these bars are best enjoyed the day they’re made, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. Just keep in mind that as they sit, the apples will release moisture, making the texture softer and more cake-like. If you’d like to preserve their chewy texture, you can freeze them and reheat in the oven for a few minutes to crisp up the edges.
2. Can I substitute the apples in this recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are a great combination for this recipe, you can swap them for other varieties such as Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady apples. Each variety will bring a different level of sweetness or tartness, so feel free to experiment based on your personal preference.
3. How can I make these Apple Brownies gluten-free?
To make these Apple Brownies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Many gluten-free flours are designed to mimic the texture of regular flour, so this substitution will work well without altering the taste or texture of the brownies significantly. Just be sure to check the ingredients in your gluten-free flour to ensure there are no hidden gluten-containing elements.
More Relevant Recipes
- Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins: These delicious muffins blend the flavors of apple and pumpkin, with a crunchy streusel topping that adds texture and sweetness. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack during the fall season.
- Apple Crisp Cookies: If you love the taste of apple crisp, these cookies will take it to the next level. Combining oats, apples, and cinnamon, these chewy cookies are a fantastic autumn treat, offering the same flavors of apple crisp in a portable form.
- Apple Cider Cookies: With the sweet, tangy flavor of apple cider, these soft and chewy cookies are perfect for autumn baking. The warm spices and apple notes will bring comfort to your fall gatherings or afternoon snack time.
Apple Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 9 squares
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Apple Brownies are a thick, chewy blondie bar bursting with tart apples bits, toasty pecans, and warm cinnamon flavor. The edges have the perfect brownie texture and the middles are soft. They make a great addition to your fall baking list and are a fun twist on traditional apple desserts.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (salted), room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped apple pieces (about 2 small apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or parchment paper.
- Toast the pecans in a small skillet until fragrant, then set aside to cool.
- Peel, core, and chop the apples into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup of chopped apples).
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and mix for 1 minute.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until fully incorporated.
- Add the chopped apples and toasted pecans to the batter and fold in until well-mixed. The batter will be thick and sticky.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and press down lightly.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top is set. Check doneness with a toothpick—it should come out clean from the center.
- Let the Apple Brownies cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. For firmer bars, let them cool for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Don’t overload with apples. Stick to 1 cup of chopped apples to maintain the chewy texture of the brownies.
- If the bars become too soft, place them in the oven for a few minutes on broil or toast settings to crisp up the edges.
- These Apple Brownies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for a few days at room temperature in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg