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Apple Brownies Recipe

Apple Brownies Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 7 reviews

These Apple Brownies combine the tartness of Granny Smith and the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples with a rich, buttery, and cinnamon-spiced batter studded with toasted pecans. Perfectly moist and chewy with a golden crust, these bars are a delicious fall treat that’s easy to make and sure to please apple and dessert lovers alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg

Fruit and Nuts

  • 2 medium apples (about 1 cup chopped, use 1 Granny Smith and 1 Honeycrisp), peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup pecan pieces, toasted

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with baking spray or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
  2. Toast the Pecans: Toast pecan pieces in a small skillet over medium heat or under the oven broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Optionally, toss pecans with a small amount of butter and brown sugar for extra flavor. Set aside to cool.
  3. Prepare the Apples: Peel and chop 2 medium apples into small, roughly 1/2-inch chunks. Measure out 1 cup of chopped apples to use in the batter; save any extra for snacking.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.
  5. Add Egg: Beat in the large egg until fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute.
  6. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined.
  7. Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until no white streaks remain. The batter will be thick.
  8. Add Apples and Pecans: Fold in the chopped apples and toasted pecans on low speed or by hand, ensuring even distribution. The batter will become thick and sticky.
  9. Pour and Spread Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and use a spatula or your fingers to press it evenly into the corners. Optionally, sprinkle a few extra apple pieces and pecans on top for decoration.
  10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top is fully set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  11. Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes, preferably 30 minutes, before slicing. These bars are delicious warm but firm up nicely as they cool.

Notes

  • Do not overload the batter with apples; use about 1 cup to maintain a brownie-like texture without becoming too cakey.
  • To crisp bars that feel too soft, place them under the broiler for a few minutes watching carefully to avoid burning.
  • Substitute pecans with walnuts or your favorite nuts as desired.
  • Try different apple varieties for changing flavor profiles, such as Fuji or Gala.
  • Adjust the cinnamon or try adding pumpkin pie spice for a twist on the warming spices.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple brownies, apple dessert, fall dessert, cinnamon brownies, nutty brownies, pecan apple bars

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/apple-brownies-recipe/