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!
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!
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
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.
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.
More Recipes to Try
Rocky Road Brownies
Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies
Best German Chocolate Coconut Brownies
Half Moon Cookies with Frosting recipe
Optional Toppings For Both Recipes
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts,2 tablespoons white sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon for a nutty topping
- 1/2 cup raisins, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon for a raisin topping
- 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!
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
Yield: 15
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
- Apple Brownie Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a greased 10 x 10 pan and set that aside.
- Mix the shortening and sugar until evenly blended.
- Add all the rest of the ingredients just until it begins to be a nice thick dough.
- Fold in the apples.
- Spread into a parchment-lined pan or heavily greased 10 x 10 pan
- Note: I always double the recipe for thicker brownies and use a 12 x 11-inch brownie pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for around 35 minutes or until the middle set and the toothpick comes out clean in the center.
- Bonus Recipe for Making Apple Cake Squares
- 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, ginger
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped granny smith or McIntosh apples
- optional:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 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.
- In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of white sugar with a wooden spoon until smooth.
- Stir in the egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture until just combined, then stir in the apples and walnuts if using.
- 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.
- 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
163.98Fat (grams)
7.5 gSat. Fat (grams)
1.86 gCarbs (grams)
23.62 gFiber (grams)
0.67 gNet carbs
22.96 gSugar (grams)
16.06 gProtein (grams)
1.37 gSodium (milligrams)
102.41 mgCholesterol (grams)
10.91 mgThe 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.
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Apple Brownies Pin for later
More Recipes We Love
Apple Cinnamon Buns
Apple Pie
Country Baked or Fried Apples
Homemade Apple Cider
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2009. It was edited and re-published in 2020.
