Quick and Easy Apple Brownies (Apple Bars) Recipe
These Quick and Easy Apple Brownies, also known as Apple Bars, are a delightful twist on traditional brownies featuring fresh chopped apples and walnuts. With a cinnamon-spiced batter and a moist, tender texture, they provide a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Ideal for a cozy dessert or snack, these bars are easy to make and bake in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Fruit and Nuts
- 2 cups peeled, cored and chopped apple (Granny Smith or other baking apples)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare Your Apples and Pan: Preheat the oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Peel, core, and chop the apples into small pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the batter.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 2 minutes.
- Add Apples and Nuts: Gently fold the chopped apples and chopped walnuts into the wet mixture by hand to maintain the texture and prevent overmixing.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually mix these dry ingredients into the wet apple and nut mixture until just combined, ensuring a consistent batter without overworking it.
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and level the surface with a fork or spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once done, remove from the oven and cool the brownies completely on a wire rack before cutting into bars.
- Serving Idea: For a special treat, serve the apple bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce to enhance the flavors and provide a creamy contrast to the spiced apple bars.
Notes
- Use baking apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and tartness.
- Chopping apples into small uniform pieces ensures even baking throughout the bars.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.
- Allow bars to cool completely to set properly before cutting to avoid crumbling.
- Optional toppings like vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce complement the flavors nicely.
