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These apple cinnamon brownies are perfect for satisfying fall dessert cravings year-round. Enjoy soft blondies packed with apple and caramel flavors in every bite!
Whether you call them apple brownies or apple blondies, one thing is certain: these thick and chewy squares are the kind of dessert everyone sneaks seconds of.
You only need pantry basics for this apple cinnamon brownie recipe, so it’s easy to make whenever the craving hits.
And even with all that cozy spiced apple and caramel flavor, I swear these bars still rank as one of the best apple desserts you can bring to any gathering.
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If you have no time for a full-on project like these apple cinnamon blondies, try quick apple desserts like caramel apple bites or Snicker apple salad instead!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Brownies Recipe
- This apple squares recipe is the perfect beginner-friendly baking project, and you don’t even need any specialty ingredients to pull it off.
- These apple cinnamon brownies are satisfyingly thick and chewy caramel bars with soft apple chunks and crunchy walnuts. They taste way better than your usual blondie and feel like a lighter alternative to classic brownies.
- These apple brownies are perfect for on-the-go snacking, sharing, and satisfying your sweet tooth without overdoing dessert, since they’re pre-portioned.
Ingredients
Unsalted butter – Just like regular blondies, these apple cinnamon blondie bars need butter for that soft, chewy bite.
Light brown sugar – Lends that deep caramel sweetness to the blondies.
Granulated sugar – Helps create that signature crinkly top on the cinnamon sugar brownies.
Eggs – Give the bars structure.
Vanilla extract – Helps round out the flavor of our cinnamon apple desserts.
Cinnamon – Brings a warm flavor that makes these fall brownies taste homemade.
Salt – Balances the sweetness of brownies made with apples.
Baking powder – Gives the bars lift. To check its freshness, pour 1/4 cup boiling water over 1/2 tsp baking powder. If it bubbles, your baking powder is good to go.
All-purpose flour – Pro tip: Weigh your flour, or measure it using the spoon-and-level method. Scooping directly with a measuring cup can pack in too much flour, making your dough overly dense!
Apples – Add sweet bites to the blondie batter. Use firm apples so they don’t turn mushy in the oven.
Pecans – How to make apple brownies more enjoyable? Add pecans for some crunch!
Sugar and ground cinnamon – We’ll top these fall blondies with classic cinnamon sugar. Read on for other delicious toppings!
Non-stick baking spray – Helps the parchment paper stick to the baking dish.
Ingredient Additions For Cinnamon Apple Brownies Recipe
Toppings
Need a pick-me-up?
Serve your cinnamon apple brownies warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, crunchy granola, and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce!
Frosting
Instead of cinnamon sugar, you can also top your cinnamon blondies with a thick layer of maple cream cheese frosting.
Just combine 6 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1/2 stick of softened butter, 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, 3/4 cup of icing sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Use Different Apple Varieties
Mix tart and sweet apples for the best flavor balance on your apple bars!
Peel Your Apples
Peel your apples, so you don’t end up with any papery bits on your apple cinnamon brownies.
Avoid Gummy Blondies
Don’t be tempted to add more apples than the recipe calls for. Extra apples can make the batter too wet and create gummy apple blondies.
Apple Brownies Recipe FAQs
What are the best apples for brownies?
For the best results, use baking apples that stay firm in the oven. You can use Granny Smith apples to balance the tartness of the fall apple desserts, or go with Honeycrisp apples for extra-sweet apple cinnamon brownies.
How can these be brownies?
We’re calling these apple cinnamon brownies because they’re really a blondie-style version of brownies. But if that feels confusing because you consider blondies as a different dessert and not a sub-category of brownies, you can just call them apple cinnamon blondies.
How do I know if apple blondies are done?
These apple blondies are done when the top is lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
How far in advance can you make apple brownies?
You can make these apple cinnamon brownies up to 5 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can you freeze this recipe?
Yes, you can freeze your apple cinnamon brownies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then let them come back to room temperature before serving.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
- Vegan Gluten Free Lemon Bars
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
- Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Butternut Squash Blondies
- Strawberry Brownies
I found this recipe for Candy Bar Blondies that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.
Apple Cinnamon Brownies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups apples, peeled and diced
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar for topping
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon for topping
- Non-stick baking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer, beat the melted butter and sugars together. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder, then mix until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the flour. Mix with the electric mixer until combined, then switch to a large spoon to finish mixing. The batter will be very thick.
- Fold the apples into the batter.
- Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with an offset spatula.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the apple brownies cool before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
- Mix tart and sweet apples for the best flavor balance on your apple bars!
- Peel your apples, so you don’t end up with any papery bits on your apple cinnamon brownies.
- Don’t be tempted to add more apples than what the recipe calls for. Extra apples can make the batter too wet and create gummy apple blondies.
Nutrition
PIN FOR LATER!
9×9 baking dish?
That should work!
I don’t believe I saw a pan size mentioned anywhere….
Why on earth would you publish a recipe without size of baking dish??? 9×9 seems way too small for 3 cups of flour. So I guess I have to waste a whole recipe of ingredients experimenting to see what size works. Not good.
Thanks for catching that, Peggy! I’ve updated the recipe to use a 9×13 baking dish, and I’m glad to hear it worked out for you. Hope you enjoyed it!
Update: 9×13 pan worked great and these are delicious!
I loved this recipe. I made it in a 9 x 13 and baked at 350 for 45 minutes. OMG this is absolutely delicious. I used 3 Granny Smith and 1 very large Honey Crisp. Perfect combo.
Hi Lori! You can use a 9 x 13 baking pan.