Apple Walnut Brownies (or are they Blondies?)

The title alone on this recipe caught my eye. Apples in brownies? I’m imagining dark, decadent chocolate with bits of apples throughout. When I saw the recipe’s picture of these brownies, I thought there must be some kind of mistake. Surely they meant “Blondies” right?

No error. They are Apple Brownies!

When freshly baked and allowed enough time to cool before cutting into these apple walnut brownies, the top has an irresistible flaky crust like chocolate brownies have. It’s really almost like an apple cake and its texture will depend on the size pan you use to get either thicker or thinner bars.

Increasing the walnuts and cinnamon are some good modifications. Also, when making these again, I would adjust the amount of butter by using some unsweetened applesauce -and- decrease the sugar by 1/3-1/4 cup.

While I really like how these turned out and the flavor, I was a bit disappointed how they held up for the next day after storing them in an airtight container. They became rather soggy and lost their flaky top texture. I would advise making these the day of serving. Definitely not a do-it-a-day-before type of recipe.

• Used 3 smaller sized Gala apples.
• Increase the amount of walnuts to 3/4 cup, but could have even gone with 1 cup.
• Would increase the cinnamon.
• Would decrease the amount of sugar to maybe 3/4 or 2/3 cup.
• Not sure if this would change the texture, but would like to try decreasing the amount of butter to 1/4 cup and use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce.
• Make these apple walnut brownies the day of serving. The top’s texture softens after being stored.

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Apple Walnut Brownies

Serves 12

Ingredients

1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, melted and cooled

1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg

½ – ¾ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
2-3 firm-sweet apples (like Gala), about 1 pound total, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 ¾ cups)

Directions

Position oven rack to center and preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare an 8×11-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a medium-sized bowl. In another bowl, beat the melted butter, sugar and egg with a mixer or by hand until pale, about 2 minutes. Add walnuts to combine. Add flour mixture, and stir to combine. Fold in apples by hand.

Spread batter in prepared baking pan/dish and bake until golden brown and slightly firm on top, about 40-45 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes before cutting. Portion/cut into 12 bars.

Store in an airtight container.

Teenie Notes

• Used 3 smaller sized Gala apples.
• Increase the amount of walnuts to 3/4 cup, but could have even gone with 1 cup.
• Would increase the cinnamon.
• Would decrease the amount of sugar to maybe 3/4 or 2/3 cup.
• Not sure if this would change the texture, but would like to try decreasing the amount of butter to 1/4 cup and use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce.
• Make these apple walnut brownies the day of serving. The top’s texture softens after being stored.

source modified from MarthaStewart.com

Cristina A-Moore | TeenieCakes.com

November 19, 2013