Apple Brownies (Chewy Apple Cinnamon Blondies)

Warm, buttery, and packed with cozy fall flavor — these Apple Brownies (Chewy Apple Cinnamon Blondies) are your new go-to treat for chilly days.

Unlike classic chocolate brownies, these bars are rich and chewy like a blondie, with caramel-like notes from brown sugar and the irresistible warmth of cinnamon-spiced apples baked right in. They’re perfectly soft in the middle, slightly crisp on the edges, and impossible to resist.

Whether you call them apple brownies, apple blondies, or apple cinnamon bars, one thing is certain: they taste like autumn in every bite. 🍎

Why You’ll Love These Apple Brownies

• 🍏 Chewy, gooey texture: The perfect balance of soft center and crisp edge.
• 🧈 Rich caramel flavor: Brown sugar and butter give them a butterscotch sweetness.
• 🍂 Full of fall spice: Cinnamon and nutmeg make your kitchen smell amazing.
• 🥄 One-bowl recipe: Quick to make, easy to clean up.
• 🎁 Perfect for gifting or gatherings: They travel and store beautifully.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins

• 1 medium apple, peeled and diced (about 1 cup, any baking variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Optional Topping

• Drizzle of caramel sauce
• Sprinkle of cinnamon sugar

How to Make Apple Brownies (Step by Step)

Step 1 – Prep the Pan & Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy lifting. Grease lightly.
Peel, core, and dice your apple into small ¼-inch cubes. Set aside.

Step 2 – Make the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined.

Step 3 – Add Dry Ingredients

Stir in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Do not overmix — you want the batter thick and slightly sticky.

Step 4 – Fold in the Apples

Using a spatula, fold in diced apples (and nuts if using) until evenly distributed.

Step 5 – Bake

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are perfect).

Step 6 – Cool & Cut

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and cutting into squares.

Step 7 – Optional Finishing Touch

Drizzle with caramel sauce and a dusting of cinnamon sugar for a bakery-style finish.

Apple Brownies (Chewy Apple Cinnamon Blondies)

Soft, chewy, and full of apple-cinnamon flavor, these apple brownies — or blondies — are the perfect cozy fall treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 9 squares

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 240

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins

• 1 cup apple peeled and diced
• 0.5 cup walnuts or pecans optional

Optional Topping

• caramel sauce for drizzling
• cinnamon sugar for sprinkling

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Spatula
• 8×8-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Add egg and vanilla; whisk to combine.
4. Stir in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
5. Fold in diced apples and nuts.
6. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake for 28–32 minutes until golden and set.
7. Cool completely, drizzle with caramel if desired, and cut into squares.

Tips for the Best Apple Brownies

1. Use the right apples: Tart varieties like Granny Smith or Pink Lady balance the sweetness.
2. Don’t overbake: For that chewy center, pull them from the oven as soon as the edges set.
3. Add texture: Walnuts, pecans, or even white chocolate chips add great contrast.
4. Caramel lovers: A drizzle of warm caramel sauce takes them over the top.
5. For extra spice: Add a pinch of cloves or allspice for a deeper fall flavor.

Texture & Flavor Profile

These blondies are chewy like brownies, buttery like shortbread, and full of juicy apple pieces that melt into the batter. The brown sugar gives a rich, toffee-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon spice.

Each bite has a satisfying contrast — crisp edge, moist crumb, and bursts of apple flavor.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Pack in lunch boxes or picnic baskets for a cozy fall snack.
• Pair with chai latte, apple cider, or coffee for the perfect afternoon treat.
• Add to a holiday dessert tray next to pumpkin pie and pecan bars.

How to Store Apple Brownies

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerate: Keeps up to 5 days; reheat slightly before serving.
• Freeze: Wrap individual squares and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving.

Variations

1. Apple-Cinnamon Swirl Blondies: Swirl in a little cinnamon sugar before baking for a marbled look.
2. Maple Apple Blondies: Add 1 tbsp maple syrup for extra depth.
3. Apple-Cheesecake Bars: Spread a thin layer of cream cheese filling for a rich twist.
4. Gluten-Free Version: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Why They’re Called “Apple Brownies”

These chewy apple bars are often called “apple brownies” because they have the dense, fudgy texture of brownies but without any cocoa. Instead, they get their deep color and flavor from brown sugar and butter — resulting in a rich, caramel-like blondie.

Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving, 1/9 of pan)

• Calories: 240
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 22g

The Cozy Fall Dessert You’ll Make Again and Again

If you love cinnamon-apple everything, these Chewy Apple Brownies are a must-try. They’re quick to make, full of real apple flavor, and so chewy that you’ll be tempted to eat them straight from the pan.

With their rustic homemade charm and rich aroma, they’re the ultimate fall treat — and yes, they taste even better the next day.