Best Apple Brownies
When I first tried apple brownies, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Brownies usually bring chocolate to mind, but these are different in the best way.
Equipment
- 8x8-inch baking pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Peeler and Knife
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
For the Brownie Base:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 medium apples peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Pro Tip: Lining with parchment ensures your brownies lift out cleanly without breaking.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar.
- Whisk until smooth and slightly glossy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pro Tip: Whisk continuously to prevent lumps and make the batter silky.
Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula.
- Pro Tip: Fold slowly to keep the batter light—overmixing can make the brownies dense.
Prepare the Apple Filling
- In another small bowl, toss the diced apples with cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon juice.
- Make sure each piece is coated evenly so every bite has that warm, spiced flavor.
Assemble the Brownies
- Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the apple mixture over the batter.
- Pour the remaining batter over the apples and gently spread to cover.
- Pro Tip: Don’t worry if some apple pieces peek through—it adds a rustic charm.
Bake the Brownies
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Keep an eye on the top—it should be golden brown and slightly firm.
- Pro Tip: If the edges brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.
Cool and Serve
- Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
- Transfer to a cooling rack for best results.
- Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with caramel sauce if desired.
Notes
Nutritional Value (per serving):
- Calories: ~220
- Carbohydrates: ~32g
- Protein: ~3g
- Fat: ~9g
- Saturated Fat: ~5g
- Cholesterol: ~45mg
- Sodium: ~90mg
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sugar: ~22g