Description
These Apple Brownies are a moist and flavorful dessert combining the sweetness of apples with the crunch of toasted pecans. With a cinnamon-spiced batter and a golden crust, they make a perfect treat for fall or any time you crave a cozy, fruity dessert. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 1/2 cup butter, salted, room temp (112 g)
- 1 cup sugar (200 g)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all purpose flour (133 g)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Mix-ins
- 1 cup chopped apple pieces (100 g)
- 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces (53 g)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ (177℃) to preheat while you prepare the batter and toast the pecans.
- Toast Pecans: In a small pan over medium heat, toast the pecan pieces until they become fragrant and lightly browned. This enhances their flavor. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks about 1/2 inch in size to ensure even distribution and tender bites.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature salted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air for a lighter texture.
- Add Egg: Add the egg to the creamed butter and sugar mixture and continue mixing until fully incorporated and fluffy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl or directly into the mixture, add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mix gently just until the dry ingredients are combined, avoiding overmixing which can result in tough brownies.
- Add Apples and Pecans: Fold the chopped apples and toasted pecan pieces into the batter. The batter will become sticky and wet due to the moisture in the apples.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Butter an 8×8 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Pour the sticky batter into the dish and evenly press it down.
- Bake: Bake the brownies in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes. The exact time depends on your oven, but the brownies are ready when the crust turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. In this recipe, 35 minutes was ideal.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the brownies cool in the pan for about 15 minutes to set. Cut into 9 squares and serve warm or at room temperature. They pair wonderfully with ice cream.
Notes
- Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor contrast.
- Make sure to toast the pecans gently to avoid burning and ensure a rich nutty flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the brownies tender.
- Let the brownies cool slightly before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- These brownies freeze well; wrap the slices tightly and thaw before serving.
- For extra indulgence, serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 60g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
