Apple Lovers Rejoice: The Brownie Recipe of Your Dreams is Here!

A warmly spiced chocolate apple brownie studded with fresh apple bits in each bite, these apple brownies are a must-make apple dessert.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Jump to Recipe

Do you love apple desserts? If so, move away from the apple crisp and apple muffins and set your eyes on these apple brownies. This glorious brownie masterpiece includes a moist brownie base that’s overloaded with fresh diced apples, crunchy nuts, and warm cinnamon. Sounds good, right?

Fortunately, this apple brownie recipe is so easy to make. First, gather your ingredients: butter, salt, sugar, cocoa, egg, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apples, and pecans. Then we’re going to cream together the butter and sugar, add the remaining wet ingredients, then combine the dry ingredients separately and add them in next. All that’s left to do is fold in the nuts and apples and it’s time to bake!

Soon your home will be filled with the beautiful smell of these homemade apple brownies. Let me tell ya, they are such a treat. Sometimes I just add a dusting of confectioner’s sugar, but if you want to pull out all the stops, pair an apple brownie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and enjoy! These chocolate apple brownies make an incredible potluck dessert, holiday gathering treat, or dessert to break up the week.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1.5 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 cups Granny Smith apples peeled and sliced into chunks or pureed if you don't like the chunks
• 3/4 cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

How to Make Apple Brownies

Photo bySouthern Plate

Start by greasing your 9×13 baking dish and then preheat your oven.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Then in a mixing bowl, you are going to add all your dry ingredients: flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mix until it is combined, then set the bowl aside.

Photo bySouthern Plate

In a new bowl, you will begin to cream your butter and sugar together.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Add in your egg.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Then slowly work in the dry ingredients.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Once the mixture is well combined, fold in the apples as well as the nuts if you choose to add them.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Pour the brownie batter into the prepared dish.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Once done, allow the brownies to cool for at least 30 minutes, then slice and serve.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Add some powdered sugar if you like for a little extra texture and a sweet taste.

Photo bySouthern Plate

Enjoy your apple brownies!

Storage

• You will want to allow your brownies to fully cool, then transfer the brownies into an airtight container. I recommend refrigerating the brownies to help preserve the apples. They can be stored on the counter for up to 2 days, but in the fridge, they will last up to 5 days.

• You can also freeze any brownies you don’t plan to eat. Ha! That’s funny, as I always plan to eat every bite! But just in case… slice and then place in a freezer-friendly container. Freeze the brownies for up to 4 months. Thaw on the counter or in the fridge overnight before serving.

Recipe Notes

• I used Granny Smith apples for these apple brownies. The Granny Smiths are tart and add a nice tang. You are welcome to use any baking apple of your choice.
• Pecans or walnuts are great nuts to add to the brownies.
• Cut apple pieces in smaller chunks if you have some youngins that don’t like “chunky stuff” in their food. You can even puree them to the texture you desire before you add them to the brownie batter.
• Consider adding 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips for added sweetness. Because it’s not sweet enough already, right?!
• Make sure to not over-bake the brownies or they will dry out.
• For a more caramelized flavor, use a combination of white sugar and brown sugar i.e. 1 cup of white sugar and half a cup of brown sugar.
• If you like, substitute the ground cinnamon for apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice if that’s what you’ve got).

Recipe FAQs

Should I peel apples for brownies?

I do recommend peeling the apples for this particular dessert. The skin on apples offers a chew to them that isn’t going to compliment the brownies. Having peeled apples will allow for the apple flavor without a chewy texture.

What apples are used for baking?

Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Jonagold, and Braeburn are all great apples to use when baking. They will offer sweet and tart flavors to your desserts, but hold up as it bakes. Some varieties of apples will break down too much and become mushy.

Can I use salted butter in this recipe?

If you use salted butter, just leave out the 1/4 teaspoon of salt in the recipe. The butter will have enough salt in it that you won’t want to add the extra. Otherwise, it will make your brownies too salty.

How do you serve apple brownies?

These apple brownies taste delicious as is, with a dusting of powdered sugar, with a scoop of ice cream, or with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Pick ya poison!

How do you make apple blondies?

If you want more apple blondies than chocolate apple brownies, all you need to do is omit the cocoa powder.

If you love baking desserts with fruit try these recipes; Fruit Cocktail Cake, Easy Fruit Pie Cookie Bites, Apple Pie, Easy Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler Recipe, Peach Bars, and Caramel Banana Pie (a.k.a Easy Banoffee Pie).