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Moist Apple Brownies with Cinnamon and Pecans (Blondie Style)

Close-up of a moist slice of apple brownies loaded with chunks of apple, topped with pecans and caramel drizzle.
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Make these thick, chewy apple brownies, which resemble blondies, packed with tart apple pieces, toasted pecans, and warm cinnamon. This recipe offers a satisfying alternative to traditional apple pie or crisp.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup peeled and finely diced tart apples (like Granny Smith)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
  • Optional Maple Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon maple extract or 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer for this step.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.
  6. Gently fold in the diced apples and the toasted pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Press it down slightly if necessary to create a dense layer.
  8. Bake for 28 to 35 minutes. The edges should look set, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
  9. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.
  10. If using the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and maple extract/syrup until smooth. Drizzle or spread the glaze over the cooled brownies.
  11. Cut the cooled bars into squares before serving.

Notes

  • Use tart apples; they hold their shape better during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweet batter.
  • Toasting the pecans beforehand deepens their flavor in the final bar.
  • For a chewier texture, slightly underbake by about 2 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishsymphony.com/apple-brownies-moist-chewy-bars-recipe/