Apples Brownies

Monday, January 6, 2020
These apple brownies and apple cake squares are an easy one-pan delight.

Made from scratch and so easy you will love both these recipes.

Apple season is the best and these are the first recipes I make besides fresh homemade apple cider many desserts like apple caramel upside cake, apple muffins, and apple pies are what shout fall when baking in the oven.

Here are two recipes to try, and they're both equally fabulous!

We always make all of those around apple season, especially in Upstate N.Y.

I have been making this recipe for over 35 years and it has never failed me.

I can't seem to find anything else that compares.

Easy, moist delicious little squares bursting with fresh apples.

Believe me, they will ask for you to make this time and time again.

We usually buy the apples at an orchard and keep them in the refrigerator for months.

These McIntosh apples are always the favorite for this recipe! New York State apples are our favorite!

So scroll down to the printable recipe card and hit print to avoid any ads!



these are apple brownie on a wooden cutting board





these are a sheet pan of apple brownies


Easy Steps all Made by Hand no mixers!





Favorite Fall Recipes


These apple brownies and cake squares are so different but equally delicious.

They are packed with delicious cinnamon and the smell of fall.

Apple season is one of my favorites!

The apple cake is a little lighter in texture.

You will just have to make both and choose your favorite, we love them both!


these are a moist apple brownie made with fresh apples, cinnamon and they are in a disposable pan for easy cleanup.


Ingredients You Will Need To Make Apple Brownies

scroll down to the printable recipe card for exact measurements


  • Apple Brownies
  • shortening
  • egg
  • flour
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • cinnamon
  • peeled and chopped apples
  • optional: 
  • powdered sugar for garnish
  • Apple cake (2nd recipe)
  • sifted all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • ground cinnamon
  • nutmeg, ginger
  • butter or margarine, melted or shortening
  • packed brown sugar
  • white sugar
  • egg
  • vanilla extract
  • chopped gala or Mcintosh apples
  • optional:
  • finely chopped walnuts
  • white sugar
  • ground cinnamon


this is a bag of apples in a bag from New York State


Apples



Growing up in Upstate New York, when apples were in season, we went straight to the orchards to buy bushels.


Besides apple pie, these would be the first thing on mom's and my list of treats with apples.


The whole family just loved these apple recipes of any kind.


We used Cortlands of McIntosh both favorite apples.


They are the best for apples cakes also.

this is a sheet pan of apple brownies


Tips

  • I line my pan with parchment paper so they don't stick.
  • Do not use an electric mixer, these are meant to be made by hand to stir ingredients.
  • Over-mixing will cause the texture to be too sponge-like.


these are a moist apple brownie made with fresh apples, cinnamon and they are in a disposable pan for easy cleanup.


Here are more recipes we love!



Browned Butter Apple Cake
Caramel Apple Spice Cake Mix Upsidedown Cake
Old Fashioned Fruit Cake
Festive Zucchini Cake
Apple Streusel Cake


these are brownie squares on a wooden plank


Optional Toppings For Both Recipes

  1. 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts,2 tablespoons white sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon for a nutty topping
  2. 1/2 cup raisins, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon for a raisin topping
  3. You can mix the raisins and nuts together with the same sugar-cinnamon topping or substitute chocolate chips for raisins.


Don't Forget to Pin me for Later!



this is a pin for later for apple brownies


These Freeze Great


I love to make a double batch to freeze for a quick dessert treat all year long.

Both the cake and the brownie just need a layer of parchment paper between them so they don't stick.

Best thawed in the refrigerator.

These are a moist cinnamon apple brownie that is pretty darn addicting.

The cake is perfect also for any apple lover, it's not as sweet as the brownies.

I always have to make a double batch, they really have a nice sweetness to them and the texture is perfect not too heavy.

These apple brownies are plain and simple, no frosting, nuts of anything else added, maybe just a sprinkle of powdered sugar for presentation.

Of course, you can adapt the recipe and add whatever you like, we just love them naked!

Apple Brownies

Apple Brownies

Yield: 15
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 45 Min
This is a bonus recipe of two kinds of apple desserts. One is an apple brownie that is more dense and heavier than the apple cake which has eggs and more like a cake. The photo shown is of the apple brownies

Ingredients

  • Apples Brownies Recipe
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening (like Crisco) do not use butter, margarine or oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 cups peeled and chopped apples

Instructions

  1. Apple Brownie Directions:
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a greased 10 x 10 pan and set that aside.
  3. Mix the shortening and sugar until evenly blended.
  4. Add all the rest of the ingredients just until it begins to be a nice thick dough.
  5. Fold in the apples.
  6. Spread into a parchment-lined pan or heavily greased 10 x 10 pan
  7. Note: I always double the recipe for thicker brownies and use a 12 x 11-inch brownie pan.
  8. Bake at 350 degrees for around 35 minutes or until the middle set and the toothpick comes out clean in the center.
  9. Bonus Recipe for Making Apple Cake Squares
  10. 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
  11. 1 teaspoon baking powder
  12. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  13. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  14. 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, ginger
  15. 1/2 cup butter softened
  16. 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  17. 1/2 cup white sugar
  18. 1 egg
  19. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  20. 1 cup chopped granny smith or McIntosh apples
  21. optional:
  22. 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
  23. 2 tablespoons white sugar
  24. 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  25. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper. In a bowl add flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon; set aside.
  26. In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of white sugar with a wooden spoon until smooth.
  27. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture until just combined, then stir in the apples and walnuts if using.
  28. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with optional topping if using with the cinnamon and sugar nut mixture if desired and sprinkle over the top of the bars.
  29. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool in the pan, and cut into squares.

Notes

Tips

  • I line my pan with parchment paper so they don't stick.
  • Do not use an electric mixer, these are meant to be made by hand to stir ingredients.
  • Over-mixing will cause the texture to be too sponge-like.


Nutrition Facts

Calories

163.98

Fat (grams)

7.5 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

1.86 g

Carbs (grams)

23.62 g

Fiber (grams)

0.67 g

Net carbs

22.96 g

Sugar (grams)

16.06 g

Protein (grams)

1.37 g

Sodium (milligrams)

102.41 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

10.91 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

apple cake, apple brownies, apple cake from scratch
cake, apples, desserts, brownies
American

Apple Brownies Pin for later



this is a pin for later apple brownie recipe


More Fruits Recipes


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Banana Mango Muffins

Muffins and Quick Bread Roundup Recipes

Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2009. It was edited and re-published in 2020.

18 comments

  1. These sound very creative! I bet some warm caramel sauce drizzled over the top would be great, too.

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  2. these sound delicious! I can't wait to give them a try!

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  3. They look and sound delicious! Would go perfectly with my coffee right now...

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  4. apples and brownies?? i'm in! looks wonderful. hey, you might want to put in an entry to this month's royal foodie joust. the three ingredients are apples, cayenne pepper and maple syrup. i bet you'll come up with something awesome!!!

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  5. thanks for you suggestion and flattering words, not sure what the foodie joust is...I still can't figure out foodbuzz lol

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  6. This is as simple as it is delicious.

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  7. Just the kind of baking I love especially with apple. Will never forget the taste of sweetness & the aroma as well.

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  8. Never had this, it looks really intriguing

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  9. Love Love Love this recipe! I'm sure these tastes are amazing! So YUMMY! This is perfect for me. thank you.

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  10. These sound really good, especially hot out of the oven. I think I'd eat them for dessert with a scoop of ice cream or even breakfast with a cup of tea - yum!

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  11. This is gonna be amazing fall dessert to try. Looks delicious

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  12. It's the season of apples and I made two apple treats this week for the Jewish new-year. One very similar to this. This looks so good. Saving this for later. sounds yum.

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  13. Oooh your apple bars look and sound wonderful, Claudia! Such a fun fall twist on brownies. Def need to try these :D

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  14. Oh my!!! You just combined two of my favorite things, Brownies and Apple Pie!!! These sound incredible, the perfect sweet treat for Fall.

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  15. How moist and delicious! I Need one for my tea now :-))

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