Imagine the kitchen filled with the sweet-spiced aroma of cinnamon and apples, a tray of golden blondie-bars cooling on the counter, edges crisp and centers soft. These Apple Brownies bring that cozy fall feeling into a simple bake: tender apple chunks, toasted pecans, and rich batter that hits brownie-bar texture perfectly. Whether you’re craving dessert after dinner or prepping for a fall gathering, this treat delivers flavor, warmth and nostalgia.
What Is Apple Brownies / Why It’s Special
Apple Brownies (also sometimes called apple blondies) are dessert bars that combine the chewy edge of a brownie with the fruity, tender bite of apples and the nutty crunch of pecans. What makes them special is that they offer a clever twist on classic browniesno cocoa, but plenty of texture and flavor. The mix of tart apples and sweet batter creates balanced taste, and the pecans add depth. They’re perfect for autumn baking, potlucks, lunch-boxes or a cozy snack with coffee or tea.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ½ cup (≈112 g) salted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (≈200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (≈133 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped apple pieces (≈100 g) use 2 medium apples (e.g., Granny Smith + Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup toasted pecan pieces (≈53 g)
Optional Add-Ins:
- Swap pecans for walnuts or chopped hazelnuts
- Sprinkle a few extra apple bits on top before baking
- Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin-pie spice for extra fall warm-spice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (≈ 175 °C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish with parchment or spray with non-stick spray for easy removal.
Step 2: Toast the Pecans
In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the pecan pieces for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Flip occasionally to avoid burning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool while you prepare batter.
Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes). Then add the egg and beat again until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl or directly into the mixer, add the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix until no white streaks remain just combine, don’t over-mix.
Step 5: Fold in Apples & Pecans
Gently fold the chopped apples and toasted pecans into the batter, stirring just enough to distribute them evenly without overworking the dough. The batter will be thick and sticky from the apple moisture.
Step 6: Bake & Cool
Press the batter into the prepared 8×8 pan, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes (depending on your oven) until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing. For best texture, allow 30 minutes cooling so the bars firm up a bit.
Tips / Variations / Why You’ll Love It
- Tip: Don’t overpack the apples. Use about 1 cup chopped so the texture stays blondie-bar and doesn’t turn too soft or cakey.
- Tip: Use a mix of applesone tart (Granny Smith) and one sweet (Honeycrisp) gives lovely balance.
- Variation: Swap half the flour with whole-wheat pastry flour for a slightly nutty, whole-grain twist.
- Variation: Try adding ¼ cup white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips for a sweet surprise.
- Why You’ll Love It: These bars are simple, come together in one bowl, and bake fast. They carry fall flavor with minimal fuss and bake time, making them ideal for busy lives or last-minute desserts.
FAQs
Q1. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavor will still shine.
Q2. How long do the bars stay good?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. After that they soften more, becoming more cake-like. You can refrigerate to extend texture a bit longer.
Q3. Can I freeze them?
Yes, once cooled completely, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready.
Q4. What if I don’t have pecans?
You can absolutely use walnuts, almonds or omit nuts entirely if you prefer. The texture changes slightly but they’ll still be delicious.
Conclusion
These Apple Brownies bring together the chewy-edge goodness of a blondie bar with tender apple chunks and toasted pecans ideal for a cozy afternoon treat or festive fall dessert. Give them a try this week and enjoy the warmth of home baking.
✨ Try it this week and tag @EatTreatsRecipes on Pinterest or Instagram because comfort should always be this delicious!