This Apple Brownies recipe is one of my absolute favorite fall desserts, easy to whip up and filled with the cozy spices of the season. They have the dense, chewy texture of a brownie but are bursting with the flavor of fresh apples and warm cinnamon.
My sister Jennifer, our family’s baker, first made these on a golden autumn afternoon, calling them her “sunshine squares.” The warm, sweet scent of cinnamon and apples filling our kitchen still reminds me of her joyful laugh.
A Few Reasons You’ll Fall in Love with These
- Quick & Easy: This simple recipe comes together in minutes with basic pantry staples, making it one of the most perfect fall desserts easy enough for a weeknight.
- Perfectly Spiced: A warm blend of cinnamon and nutmeg gives these bars their signature autumn flavor.
- Chewy & Moist: The melted butter and brown sugar create a wonderfully dense, chewy texture that’s more like an apple blondie than a cake.
- Customizable: Feel free to use your favorite baking apples or swap the walnuts for pecans.
What You’ll Need From Your Pantry
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped fresh apples (peeled if desired)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
The Simple Tools You’ll Need
8×8-inch Baking Pan
A trusty square pan is all you need; the parchment paper sling is my sister’s trick for lifting them out perfectly every time.
Large Mixing Bowl
I love having one big bowl for mixing the wet ingredients, it feels so much simpler and reminds me that baking should be fun, not fussy.
Let’s Make Some Memories
First, Let’s Get Everything Ready
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Gently grease your 8×8-inch pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides to act as handles later. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. I always love this step; the smell of the spices rising from the bowl is the first promise of the delicious treat to come.
Mixing Up the Brown Sugar Magic
In a separate large bowl, stir the melted butter and packed brown sugar together until they’re smooth and look like caramel. Then, beat in your egg and vanilla extract until everything is nicely combined. Make sure your melted butter isn’t too hot, just warm enough to mix easily.
Gently Fold It All Together
Now, pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir them together with a spatula until they are just combined. It’s so important not to overmix here; you want to keep these apple brownies tender. Gently fold in your finely chopped apples and nuts.
Into the Pan It Goes
Spoon the batter into your prepared pan and use your spatula to spread it into an even layer, making sure it reaches all the corners. The batter will be thick, but that’s exactly what you want for a dense, fudgy texture.
Baking Until Golden
Bake for 30–35 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. The top will be a beautiful golden brown, and your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly.
The Sweet Agony of Waiting
This is the hardest part, waiting! Let the apple brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before you even think about cutting them. This step is crucial for clean, beautiful squares and allows the texture to set perfectly.
For a Slightly Healthier Bite
- Whole Wheat Swap: For a little extra fiber and a nuttier flavor, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour.
- Reduce the Sugar: While the brown sugar is key to the texture, you can often reduce it by about 1/4 cup without a major change if you prefer a less sweet treat.
- Use Coconut Oil: In place of melted butter, you can use an equal amount of melted and cooled coconut oil for a slightly different, delicious flavor.
How We Love to Eat Them
There’s nothing quite like a warm square right from the pan, but if you want to make it extra special, here are a few ideas:
- A La Mode: Serve a slightly warmed apple brownie with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast of warm and cold is simply divine.
- Caramel Drizzle: A light drizzle of salted caramel sauce over the top before serving takes this dessert to a whole new level of indulgence.
- Afternoon Tea: These are the perfect companion to a hot cup of black tea or a spiced chai latte on a chilly afternoon.
My Sister’s Secrets for Perfect Results
- Overmixing the Batter: Once you add the flour, mix only until you no longer see dry streaks. Overmixing develops the gluten and can lead to tough, cakey bars instead of chewy ones.
- Cutting While Warm: It’s so tempting, but cutting these apple blondies before they are completely cool will result in crumbly, messy squares. Patience is key!
- Using Mealy Apples: The texture of your apples matters! Avoid apples that turn mushy when baked, like Red Delicious. Stick with firm, crisp varieties for the best results. We find some of the easiest apples to use are Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
How to Keep Them Fresh
Store any leftover apple brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last a bit longer, they will keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week. They taste wonderful chilled, or you can warm them for a few seconds in the microwave.
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope this easy Apple Brownies recipe brings as much warmth and joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. Every time I bake a batch, I’m right back in that sunny kitchen with Jennifer, sharing a treat and a smile. May these simple squares help you create your own sweet memories with the ones you love. Happy baking!
A Few Questions You Might Have
What kind of apples are best for baking?
For this apple blondies recipe, you want a firm apple that holds its shape well and has a nice balance of sweet and tart. Granny Smith is a classic choice for its tartness, while Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady are wonderful, sweeter options that won’t turn to mush.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, you certainly can. You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a good quality one-to-one gluten-free baking flour blend. Just be sure the blend contains xanthan gum, or add it according to the package directions, to help with the structure.
Do I have to use the nuts?
Absolutely not! If you have a nut allergy or simply aren’t a fan, you can omit the walnuts or pecans entirely. The apple brownies will still be wonderfully moist and delicious on their own.
Print
Apple Brownies (Easy Fall Dessert)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
Description
This Apple Brownies recipe is one of my absolute favorite fall desserts, easy to whip up and filled with the cozy spices of the season. They have the dense, chewy texture of a brownie but are bursting with the flavor of fresh apples and warm cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped fresh apples (peeled if desired)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, stir melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring just until mixed. Fold in apples and nuts.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep brownies chewy, and let them cool fully before slicing for clean squares.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: apple brownies, fall dessert, apple blondies, easy dessert