These spiced apple brownies are studded with tender chunks of apples and pecans, and the caramel drizzle bakes right into the brownies for a chewy bite you’ll crave all fall long.
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“Made these last week for a little party and they were devoured in minutes – the perfect fall treat!” -Ashley B., FoodieCrush reader
Skip the Chocolate This Fall and Make Your Brownies with Apple!
I’m a total brownie nut. If I could have either cake, cookies, or any other sweet treat, brownies would win every time.
I’v already found the perfect brownie recipe that turns out supremely moist and fudgy every time, but this is the first time I’ve played around with a non-chocolate brownie.
Gasp. A brownie without chocolate? Don’t worry, I substituted it with caramel and I think you’ll be verrrry pleased with the gooey results.
These apple brownies have the chewy edges and soft centers of classic brownies, with the flavor of your favorite caramel apple pie. They’re utterly addictive and perfect for fall.
Heidi’s Tips for Recipe Success
- Use a good quality, preferably organic, sweet apples. The apple flavor is meant to shine so using the best fruit is essential. I used Honeycrisp apples in my version.
- Don’t panic! The brownie batter is meant to be on the dry side. The dry mixture is a bit crumbly on the outset to compensate for the moisture released from the apples to create a moist brownie base.
- If you want really straight cuts for your brownies, cool in the fridge for 30 minutes or so to get the best edges. If you’re not too particular, go ahead and follow the directions below. Or if you just can’t take it, eat them straight from the pan. I won’t judge.
Grab These Ingredients
The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.
- Butter — I prefer using salted butter to balance out the sweetness from the caramel.
- All-purpose flour — You might be able to get away with using a gluten-free all-purpose flour alternative since brownies are meant to be slightly dense and chewy.
- Spices — Ground cinnamon and nutmeg add lots of fall flavor to these brownies.
- Leavening agents — You’ll need both baking soda and baking powder for this recipe.
- Granulated sugar — Since we’re using actual caramel candies in the brownies, I didn’t feel the need to add brown sugar (which has a subtly caramel-like flavor).
- Egg — Binds the batter together.
- Pecans — If pecans aren’t your thing, go ahead and sub walnuts. Toasting the nuts before would bring out an even more earthy taste.
- Apples — Choose a good baking apple that will hold its shape after baking. I used sweet Honeycrisps, but Granny Smith or another favorite apple will work.
- Soft caramel candies — Look for the kind that are sold individually wrapped and that are soft and squishy to touch. Avoid hard caramel candies that you have to suck on for ages to dissolve in your mouth.
4 Simple Steps to Making Caramel Apple Brownies
- Combine the dry ingredients. Always do this separately so the spices and leavening agents mix evenly into the flour.
- Whisk together the wet ingredients. You’ll want to beat together the sugar, egg, and butter for a couple minutes until the mixture becomes light and creamy. Then, fold in the chopped apples and pecans.
- Melt the caramel candies. Take them out of their wrappers first, then heat gently in the microwave (or in a heat-proof bowl set over simmering water) to melt.
- Bake until golden. Spread the apple brownie batter into a lined 9×9-inch baking dish and top with the melted caramel. As the brownies bake, the caramel will seep into them and infuse them with flavor.
Heidi’s Tip: If you want the flavor of caramel for a topper but are looking for something a little smoother you could top with a store-bought caramel coating rather than the melted candies. However, it won’t set up the same as the candies.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below, leave a comment to tell us what you think, and tag me on Instagram @foodiecrush.
Caramel Apple Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter , melted and cooled (plus more for dish)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup chopped pecans , plus ¼ cup whole pecans
- 2 large firm-sweet apples (about 1 pound), peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes, about 2 ¾ cups
- 20-25 caramel candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare a 9×9-inch brownie pan or pyrex dish with parchment paper that extends up the sides of the pan. Butter parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- In another bowl beat together butter, sugar and egg with a hand mixer until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add chopped pecans and apples, and stir by hand until combined. Add flour mixture, and stir until combined.
- Spread batter in pan. Place caramel candies in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stir and then microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Drizzle caramel over batter, top with whole pecans and bake until golden, about 35 to 40 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then cut into 12 bars. If you like an extra caramel flavor for topping, drizzle additional melted caramel over the top of the cooled brownies and allow to set before cutting.
Notes
Nutrition
More Apple Desserts to Whip Up
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what katie's baking
omg i have a crush on fall, too! these are the perfect fall dessert. also your pictures are wonderful!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
I am in pursuit to find the best brownie recipe myself. Only few weeks ago I started the series on my blog. I’ve had a crush on apples since I can remember – they do make for a perfect addition to brownies. Your version looks absolutely amazing! The caramel drizzle and all! The picture of Smudge is precious!!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen
Oh boy! These look great! Apple pie is on my list this week…But I can’t decide if I’m going to do a streusel topping or double crust.
Cookie and Kate
Good gracious, these look amazing. I would bake more decadent desserts if I had a helper, or at least someone to help me eat it! Smudge is rocking those pink pants, love it.
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
These look gorgeous!!! I think this might be the dessert I make for Thanksgiving!
Barbara | Creative Culinary
I’ve made these same bars…and then had to drizzle some more caramel on top! What is the point if it’s just baked in anyway…there has to be some element of goo if you ask me!
I made Apple Toffee cookies last night…and some goo went on them too. It’s evident I have a goo issues. :)
Mandie @ Oh So Decadent
These look so wonderful! A deconstructed caramel apple is the perfect dessert for autumn! Definitely saving this one :).
Cassie | Bake Your Day
Your kitchen and daughter are beautiful, as are you and these brownies. Oh my goodness, so decadent! Love these photos.
Kristen
First of all, the lighting in your kitchen has me green with envy!
I’m a purist when it comes to brownies… however, these are so tempting!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
These are beautiful!
Becky @ Project Domestication
These look divine. I am holding off on making apple pie until Thanksgiving and these brownies might tie me over.
As far as brownie recipes my favorites include:
– Cook’s Illustrated Chewy Brownie Recipe (they mimic store bought brownies)
– The Baked Brownie
– The Baked Sweet n’ Salty Brownie
– Dorie Greenspan’s Tribute to Katherine Hepburn Brownies
– Dorie Greenspan’s Honey-Nut Brownies (more cakey)
– Dorie Greenspan’s White Chocolate Brownies (Amazing but not white chocolate, they have raspberries and meringue on top.)
(All on my blog. ;) It’s so hard for me to pick a favorite. Though I tend to like more fudgy ones… Can’t wait till you post your favorite!)
britainknee
Yum! These look so much tastier than regular chocolate brownies (and easier to eat than actual caramel apples!)
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
Ahhh these are very tempting on this monday morning :)
carrian
STOP. IT. I cannot take the temptation anymore!! I’ve eaten more sugar this month than I ever have before, and it’s not even Christmas cookie season yet!!!
Cookin' Canuck
Now I have a huge apple, caramel, etc. craving! It looks as though those forlorn apples found a VERY good home inside of these gorgeous brownies. Love the shot of the caramel craving dog!
Kathryn
You can’t ever go wrong with the combo of caramel and apple and these bars sound so incredibly delicious with all those apple-y chunks.
Deborah
I seriously want one of these, and the pictures are priceless!!
Mackenzie {SusieFreakingHomemaker}
Oh I absolutely love this recipe! I’m a caramel loving helper too!! :-)
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
I love this recipe courtesy of Lori :) I dress it up all different ways as its so versatile. Last time I threw in some white choc chunks, and sea salt on the top…delicious. I must try these caramel apple ones though!
http://www.foodnessgracious.com/2012/09/potato-chip-brownies.html?m=1
Maria
Love apple everything and with caramel…I am sold! These remind me of my Salted Caramel Apple Crumb Bars. I think we need to have a party:) And Smudge is just darling!
kelley {mountain mama cooks}
Gorgeous. Apples are my favorite ingredient right now and I can’t seem to get enough. I’m sure when smothered in caramel, I’d be even happier. The smudge is stunning- my favorite pic of the post. xoxo
Smudge taunting Pippa is my favorite of the post too. But then, I’m a bit partial :) XO
Lori @ RecipeGirl
I love Smudge! We need to make and eat these before Thursday since Brooks is getting braces!! No more caramel for him, lol!
Oh yes. There would be no caramel covered apple brownies for him! But you could do half covered with caramel for you and leave the other half off?
Blog is the New Black
Holy moly! These sound amazing!!!!!
Angela Simpson
Oh my goodness Heidi, these look amazing!! Your photos are absolutely gorgeous. I have a crush on all fall produce too, and apples are my fall staple fruit. Consider this one bookmarked!
Thanks Angela, glad I have a fellow apple crusher :)
Averie @ Averie Cooks
These are awesome looking. A couple years ago I made caramel apple bars and my husband is STILL talking about them. It’s his fave flavor and I think I need to try your recipe next b/c it looks fab. And your daughter. Whoa. She grew up since the last pic I saw of her. What a little lady! :)