Can we really call these brownies? I suppose they could be called blondies instead.  There was a lot of quibbling over the title in the reviews I read for this recipe.  Semantics, really.  These perfect apple cinnamon-y bars are definitely delicious, and you know that’s all I care about.

Honestly, it’s a dangerous recipe for a pregnant lady, especially one who is hell bent on not gaining ten million pounds this time around.

But you know, when it comes to food, I laugh in the face of danger.

These apple brownies are not beautiful.  They aren’t going to win any beauty contests. They are gooey and sticky and messy.  But they’re so, so good. The yummy factor makes up for the messy factor.

I was really pleased with the way these turned out.  They’d be a great recipe for fall, but you could make them any time of year and they would always be a hit.

Enjoy.

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

 

Ingredients:

Apple filling:
3 medium granny smith apples, peeled and diced into small pieces
3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Brownies:
1/2 cup room temperature butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Cinnamon/Sugar Topping:
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°.  Grease and line a 8×8 baking dish with a parchment paper sling.

Chop your apples into small pieces and mix in the sugar and cinnamon.  Set aside to marinate.

Cream together your butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs until light and fluffy.

Add in the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.  Stir by hand until completely combined.

Mix in the walnuts and the apples.  Mix until just combined.  The batter will be pretty stiff and it will look like a lot of apples.  It’s all good.

Press (damp fingers work best for this) the mixture into your prepared baking dish.

Mix cinnamon/sugar topping ingredients together.

Sprinkle over the top.

Bake for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Set your timer for 25 minutes and check it every 5 minutes or so until done.  Everybody’s oven is different!
Enjoy.