Apple Brownies

A warmly spiced chocolate apple brownie studded with fresh apple bits in each bite, these apple brownies are a must-make apple dessert.

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Do you love apple desserts? If so, move away from the apple crisp and apple muffins and set your eyes on these apple brownies. This glorious brownie masterpiece includes a moist brownie base that’s overloaded with fresh diced apples, crunchy nuts, and warm cinnamon. Sounds good, right?

Fortunately, this apple brownie recipe is so easy to make. First, gather your ingredients: butter, salt, sugar, cocoa, egg, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apples, and pecans. Then we’re going to cream together the butter and sugar, add the remaining wet ingredients, then combine the dry ingredients separately and add them in next. All that’s left to do is fold in the nuts and apples and it’s time to bake!

Soon your home will be filled with the beautiful smell of these homemade apple brownies. Let me tell ya, they are such a treat. Sometimes I just add a dusting of confectioner’s sugar, but if you want to pull out all the stops, pair an apple brownie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and enjoy! These chocolate apple brownies make an incredible potluck dessert, holiday gathering treat, or dessert to break up the week.

Recipe Ingredients

How to Make Apple Brownies

Start by greasing your 9×13 baking dish and then preheat your oven. 

Then in a mixing bowl, you are going to add all your dry ingredients: flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mix until it is combined, then set the bowl aside. 

In a new bowl, you will begin to cream your butter and sugar together. 

Add in your egg and then slowly work in the dry ingredients. 

Once the mixture is well combined, fold in the apples as well as the nuts if you choose to add them.

Pour the brownie batter into the prepared dish and bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Once done, allow the brownies to cool for at least 30 minutes, then slice and serve. 

Add some powdered sugar if you like for a little extra texture and a sweet taste.

Enjoy your apple brownies!

Storage 

• You will want to allow your brownies to fully cool, then transfer the brownies into an airtight container. I recommend refrigerating the brownies to help preserve the apples. They can be stored on the counter for up to 2 days, but in the fridge, they will last up to 5 days. 

• You can also freeze any brownies you don’t plan to eat. Ha! That’s funny, as I always plan to eat every bite! But just in case… slice and then place in a freezer-friendly container. Freeze the brownies for up to 4 months. Thaw on the counter or in the fridge overnight before serving.

Recipe Notes

• I used Granny Smith apples for these apple brownies. The Granny Smiths are tart and add a nice tang. You are welcome to use any baking apple of your choice. 
• Pecans or walnuts are great nuts to add to the brownies.
• Cut apple pieces in smaller chunks if you have some youngins that don’t like “chunky stuff” in their food. You can even puree them to the texture you desire before you add them to the brownie batter.
• Consider adding 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips for added sweetness. Because it’s not sweet enough already, right?!
• Make sure to not over-bake the brownies or they will dry out. 
• For a more caramelized flavor, use a combination of white sugar and brown sugar i.e. 1 cup of white sugar and half a cup of brown sugar.
• If you like, substitute the ground cinnamon for apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice if that’s what you’ve got).

Recipe FAQs

Apple Brownies

A warmly spiced chocolate apple brownie studded with fresh apple bits in each bite, these apple brownies are a must-make apple dessert.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple, brownies

Servings: 24 brownies

Calories: 101kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1.5 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 cups Granny Smith apples peeled and sliced into chunks or pureed if you don't like the chunks
• 3/4 cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt
• Beat together sugar and butter until creamy. Add eggs and mix well. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. Stir in apple chunks and nuts.
  1 cup softened butter, 1.5 cups white sugar, 2 eggs, 2 cups Granny Smith apples, 3/4 cup pecans or walnuts (optional)
• Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the brownies to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• Serve with ice cream or top with powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

For those who want the apples to be softer, you can cut them into smaller pieces or puree them for a short time to break up the fiber a bit and them add them into the mix when directed. Also, remember the nuts are optional if you don't like the crunch in the brownie.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g

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