Description
Delicious Apple Brownies combine the moist texture of traditional brownies with the fresh sweetness of chopped apples and the crunch of toasted pecans, creating a perfect dessert that’s flavorful and comforting. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple pantry staples and bakes into golden, fruity squares ideal for snacking or serving with ice cream.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature (112 g)
- 1 cup sugar (200 g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (133 g)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped apple pieces (about 1/2 inch chunks) (100 g)
- 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces (53 g)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the brownies evenly.
- Toast Pecans: In a small pan over medium heat, toast the pecan pieces until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks roughly 1/2 inch in size for sweetness and moisture in the batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and sugar together until creamy and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a lighter texture.
- Add Egg: Crack the egg into the mixture and mix again until the batter becomes smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add Apples and Pecans: Fold in the chopped apples and toasted pecans gently into the batter; the batter will be sticky and moist due to the fruit.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Butter an 8×8 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Pour the sticky batter into the dish and gently press it evenly to the edges.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-45 minutes. The edges and crust should turn golden brown. Baking time varies depending on your oven, typically about 35 minutes is ideal.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before slicing into 9 squares. Serve warm or at room temperature. These brownies are delicious served with ice cream.
Notes
- Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and adds a pleasant crunch.
- Use a tart apple variety like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to prevent tough brownies.
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow brownies to cool slightly for easier slicing without crumbling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 60g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
