Apple Brownies

These apple brownies are your new fall craving in bar form. Chewy edges, a soft buttery center, bits of tart apple, warm cinnamon, and toasty pecans in every bite. If that doesn’t sound like autumn in your kitchen, I don’t know what does

Perfect for chilly weekends, potlucks, or just a cozy evening bake, they come together in one bowl with minimal fuss and maximum comfort. Bonus: your house will smell like a warm hug

Why You’ll Love These Apple Brownies

They’re like your favorite chewy blondie got a fall makeover. No mixers required unless you want to use one. Just some simple ingredients, a sturdy spatula, and a craving for cozy

The cinnamon dances with the apples, the pecans bring the crunch, and the bars bake up golden and dreamy. Plus, they hold their shape beautifully, making them perfect for lunchboxes or a bake sale treat

You can even pair them with these gooey apple cider caramel cookies for a spiced dessert duo that screams sweater weather

Ingredients You’ll Need

Apples

You’ll want two apples, peeled and chopped small. Granny Smith brings that tart zing, while Honeycrisp keeps things sweet and juicy. Aim for 1½ cups total

Pantry Staples

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Add-ins

• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  Toasting them takes these from good to irresistible

Tools and Prep Tips

You’ll just need a medium mixing bowl, an 8×8 inch pan, and a spatula. Line the pan with parchment paper or give it a good spray

If you have a few extra minutes, toast your pecans in a skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. It adds such a deep, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the apples

How to Make Apple Brownies

Preheat and prep

Set your oven to 350°F and prep your pan with parchment or cooking spray. If using parchment, let it hang over the sides a bit to make lifting easier

Toast the pecans

Add the chopped pecans to a dry pan and toast for a few minutes until fragrant. Stir frequently and don’t walk away. Set aside to cool

Peel and chop the apples

You want small chunks here, about ½ inch pieces. Too large and they won’t soften properly. Too small and they’ll disappear. Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for flavor depth

Mix the wet ingredients

In a bowl, stir together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until combined

Add the dry ingredients

Sprinkle in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir gently until no dry spots remain

Fold in apples and pecans

The batter will be thick and sticky. That’s exactly how you want it. Scoop and press it into your prepared pan, smoothing the top as best you can. Add a few extra apple chunks or pecans on top if you’re feeling fancy

Bake

Place in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The edges should be golden and the center just set. Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing into squares

Tips for Perfect Apple Brownies

Don’t overload the batter with apples. Stick to 1½ cups or they’ll get soggy
Let them cool completely before slicing for the cleanest edges
If you love a crisp top, throw the pan under the broiler for a minute at the end. Watch it closely

If you’re in the mood for something flakier, serve these with a slice of mini apple pie and call it a fall dessert board

Easy Variations to Try

Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds
Use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon
Make it dairy-free by using plant butter
Try oat flour for a gluten-friendly version like we did in our simple apple crumble

How to Store and Freeze

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The texture softens slightly each day but stays delicious

To freeze, wrap individual squares in parchment and tuck into a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temp or warm them in the oven for a fresh-baked feel

Serving Suggestions

These are heavenly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Drizzle with salted caramel for a sweet-salty combo
Pack them into lunchboxes or set them out on a fall brunch table
Pair with a warm mug of spiced tea or fresh apple cider

Apple Brownie FAQs

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