If you’re craving a cozy fall dessert that’s not your usual apple crisp or pie, these Apple Brownies are about to become your new favorite treat. Imagine thick, chewy blondie bars bursting with tart apple bits, warm cinnamon, and toasty pecans. The edges are perfectly crisp like a brownie, while the centers stay soft and buttery. It’s the ultimate apple dessert twist — and Southern Grandma approved!
🍏 What Are Apple Brownies?
Despite their name, these bars are more like apple blondies — dense, chewy, and rich without any chocolate. Each bite combines buttery batter, juicy apple pieces, and crunchy pecans with that irresistible cinnamon spice.
They come together in one bowl, bake in about 35 minutes, and make your whole kitchen smell like fall. Whether you’re prepping for Thanksgiving or just need a sweet weekend bake, this recipe hits all the cozy notes.
🍂 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 medium apples – use one tart (Granny Smith) and one sweet (Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup butter, salted, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup toasted pecan pieces
👩🍳 How to Make Apple Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant (2–3 minutes). Set aside to cool.
- Prep the apples: Peel, core, and chop into small ½-inch chunks. You’ll need about 1 cup.
- Make the batter:
- Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg until smooth.
- Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in apples and pecans. The batter will be thick and sticky — that’s perfect!
- Spread into pan and smooth the top. Add a few extra apple or pecan pieces for garnish if you like.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. The longer they cool, the firmer (and chewier) they become
💡 Tips for Perfect Apple Brownies
- Don’t overpack with apples: Too many will make the bars too moist and cake-like. Stick to 1 cup of chopped apple.
- To crisp up leftovers: Place slices under the broiler for a minute or two to revive that chewy texture.
- Customize it: Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds, or use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for a festive twist.
🍎 Make-Ahead & Storage
- Best the same day: These bars taste best fresh, when the edges are chewy and the center is soft.
- To store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- To freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature, and reheat briefly in the oven to refresh the texture.
❓ FAQ
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan for about the same time.
Can I skip the nuts?
Absolutely — just leave them out or replace them with extra apples or chocolate chips.
Can I use different apples?
Yes! Try Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala — or mix and match for a balance of sweet and tart.
🍁 Final Thoughts
These Apple Brownies are everything you love about fall desserts in one easy recipe — buttery, chewy, and loaded with apple flavor. Whether you call them brownies or blondies, they’ll disappear fast!
📖 Recipe Card
Apple Brownies (Apple Blondies)
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 35 mins | Total Time: 55 mins | Servings: 9 squares
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter, room temp
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped apples (½-inch pieces)
- ½ cup toasted pecan pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Toast pecans; set aside. Peel and chop apples.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg.
- Mix in flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until just combined.
- Fold in apples and pecans. Spread batter evenly into pan.
- Bake 30–40 minutes, until golden and set.
- Cool, slice, and enjoy!