Apple Brownies Recipe
Deliciously moist and flavorful Apple Brownies combine the comforting spices of cinnamon with tender apple chunks and crunchy toasted pecans. These brownies offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a soft, cake-like texture enhanced by the freshness of apples. Ideal for a cozy dessert or an indulgent snack, they pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Author: nova
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings (1 brownie square each) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour (133 g)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, salted, room temperature (112 g)
- 1 cup sugar (200 g)
- 1 egg
Add-ins
- 1 cup chopped apple pieces (100 g)
- ½ cup toasted pecan pieces (53 g)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for even baking.
- Toast Pecans: In a small pan over medium heat, toast the pecan pieces until they become fragrant, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks approximately ½ inch in size for even distribution and texture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to cream the room temperature butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Egg: Crack in the egg and continue mixing until fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly mixed.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar-egg mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Fold in Apples and Pecans: Gently fold in the chopped apples and toasted pecans, mixing until they are evenly distributed. The batter will be sticky and moist due to the apples.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Butter an 8×8 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper and pour in the batter. Press it evenly into the pan for uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes, checking at 30 minutes. The brownies are done when the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the brownies cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
- Serve Suggestion: These apple brownies are delightful on their own or served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
- Apple varieties such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well due to their balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Toasting pecans enhances their flavor and adds crunch.
- If you prefer a less sweet brownie, reduce sugar to ¾ cup (150 g).
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Check doneness early to avoid overbaking, which can dry out the brownies.
- Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie (approx. 56 g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: apple brownies, cinnamon brownies, apple dessert, pecan brownies, baked apple treat, easy dessert recipe