Of course! Apple Brownies with a Maple Glaze are a fantastic fall dessert. They’re cakey, spiced, packed with fresh apple flavor, and topped with a simple, delicious glaze. They’re easier than pie but just as comforting.
Here’s a tried-and-true recipe.
Apple Brownies with Maple Glaze
These are more like a dense, moist cake or blondie than a traditional chocolate brownie. The glaze takes them to the next level.
Ingredients:
For the Apple Brownies:
· 1 cup all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· ½ teaspoon baking powder
· ½ teaspoon baking soda
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but recommended)
· ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
· 1 cup granulated sugar
· 1 large egg, at room temperature
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 2 cups peeled, cored, and finely chopped apples (about 2 medium apples – Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala work well)
For the Maple Glaze:
· ½ cup powdered sugar
· 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
· 1 tablespoon milk or cream (plus more if needed)
· Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Prep:
· Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
· Peel, core, and finely chop your apples. You should have about 2 cups.
- Make the Batter:
· In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
· In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar together until combined.
· Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and whisk vigorously until smooth and pale.
· Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
· Gently fold in the chopped apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake:
· Spread the thick batter evenly into your prepared pan.
· Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter).
· Let the brownies cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack. This is important before adding the glaze.
- Make the Glaze & Finish:
· Once the brownies are cool, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and pinch of salt until smooth. If it’s too thick, add more milk, ½ teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
· Drizzle the glaze over the cooled brownies.
· Allow the glaze to set for about 15-20 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.
Tips for Success:
· Apple Choice: Using a firmer, tart apple like Granny Smith provides a nice flavor contrast and holds its shape well. A sweeter apple like Honeycrisp or Gala also works beautifully. You can even use a mix!
· Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing will lead to tough brownies.
· Cool Completely: These brownies are very moist from the apples. Letting them cool completely ensures they set properly and makes them much easier to slice cleanly.
· Toast the Nuts: For added texture and flavor, fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans with the apples.
· Spice It Up: Feel free to add a pinch of ginger or allspice to the dry ingredients for even more warmth.
Enjoy these warm, spiced, and incredibly moist apple brownies! They’re perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.