Soft apple brownies with sweet caramel bits and lots of cinnamon!
I know I can walk into any grocery store and pick out no less than one dozen varieties of apples to feast upon. Yet, I get stuck buying the same old same old. I love my Fuji apples, I think they are consistently sweet, juicy and delicious. But I decided it was time for me to be brave. It was time to branch out and try something new.
SEE HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
My search for a new apple to love led me to my local grocery store where my eyes landed on a bag of Michigan apples. They were a beautiful red and perfectly shaped, and they were all mine After sampling two or three apples; I decided that these little babies would need to be baked into a surprise after-school treat for the kids. A pie was more effort than I could muster. Blondie brownies, on the other hand, would be perfect. They are quick, easy and would be ready by the time the kids came home from school.
This recipe is outstanding. The apple brownies are tender with a slightly cracked top. The apples are juicy and flavorful; not too tart or too sweet. The caramel bits supply the right amount of sweetness to these apple brownies. There is plenty of cinnamon in the batter, but for good measure, I added a cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of the brownies just before baking.
These caramel apple brownies are fabulous when they are fresh from the oven. A little ice cream on top would be heavenly, but a tall glass of milk works just as well. Perhaps I’ll make an apple pie someday, but until then these caramel apple brownies will keep us happy and satisfied! Love caramel apple? Try these Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Muffins or this Caramel Apple Pull Apart Bread!
More Apple Recipes:
Caramel Apple Brownies
Caramel apple flavor in a blonde brownie!
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 t baking powder
- 2 t cinnamon
- 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped and peeled
- 1 cup caramel bits
- cinnamon sugar (I used a prepackaged jar I found in the spice aisle. You can make your own)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray and set aside. In a stand mixer, combine butter and sugar and mix until creamy. Add eggs one at a time until each is well mixed. Add in flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add in chopped apples and caramel bits until blended. The batter will be thick.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle caramel bits over batter and press in slightly. Bake for 45 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.
Nutrition Information
Yield 16Amount Per Serving Calories 359Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 54mgSodium 202mgCarbohydrates 62gFiber 2gSugar 47gProtein 3g
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Oh my these look so good!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Aimee!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Oh my gosh, these look so delicious! Caramel apples are my faaaave this time of year. And whenever I see store cams, I always try to look good haha.
Lemonsforlulu says
I just love caramel anything!!!! Thanks Hayley!
Andrea (Quest for Delish) says
My son went apple picking and I am dying to try a new recipe. I think I will try this. I love caramel apples and brownies so I will probably love this.
Lemonsforlulu says
Andrea I think you’ll be really happy with this recipe!
ChgoJohn says
As a boy, caramel apples were a favorite Fall-time treat. Having those flavors incorporated in a brownie has me drooling over here. These sound so good, Tanya. Thanks for sharing a great recipe.
Now, did you find out what they were filming? Are you going to be famous? Inquiring minds, you know …
Lemonsforlulu says
I haven’t seen my face plastered in the media yet. Darn. Thanks for checking them out John!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Those brownies looks super delicious!!! Oh, how I want some of those in my kitchen right now:-)
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Jocelyn, wish I could get you some!
Nicky @ Pink Recipe Box says
I’ve never thought about mixing caramel apples and brownies. What a fantastic idea! Pinning 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Nicky, they work really well together!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
These look absolutely delicious! What a lovely fall treat.
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Jen!
Shiloh Barkley says
Wowzer! Can’t wait to make these!
http://www.shilohstaste.com
Lemonsforlulu says
Let me know if you do! Thanks for stopping by!
Noelle says
anything apple is a good friend of mine. looks delish!
Lemonsforlulu says
I feel the same way!
Mackenzie says
Yum! See you are an awesome cook coming up with these amidst moving… WOW! 🙂
Can’t wait to see your chocolate recipes! 🙂
Mackenzie from the Iron Chef Mom Team 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Mackenzie!!! These were so easy and delicious!
Heather @French Press says
can you believe I have never made blondies – I may need to start very soon
Lemonsforlulu says
I love blondies just about as much as traditional brownies! I hope you try some!
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose says
Mmmm gonna give these a try – of course, I know that they will be great!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks JoAnn!
jamie says
these look amazing! thanks for sharing 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Jamie!
Debi @ Adorned From Above says
These look delicious. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/10/almond-sugar-body-scrub-and-wednesdays.html
I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
Lemonsforlulu says
I HaVE to stop over today, thanks Debi!
Sarah says
I am headed to the store to buy the ingredients to make these tasty treats…where would I find caramel bits?? Baking aisle? Candy aisle? Please help!!
Judy says
I found them in the same section as the chocolate chips. I ended up buying the regular Kraft caramels and cutting them up cuz it was cheaper. But the bits would be a heck of a lot more easy! I made these today but I didn’t cook them long enough and also the caramel sunk to the bottom. Next time I will toss the caramel bits in flour before placing them and maybe that will help. Also will wait till they are a darker golden brown just to make sure they aren’t too gooey! Tastes great tho.
Sarah says
Thanks, Judy! Thanks, Tanya! I couldn’t find them so ended up buying the Kraft caramels and chopping them up. I cooked them for 10 mins. longer than the time listed in the recipe. When I took them out I thought they were done as the top got very crispy and brown…but they didn’t seemed to be cooked through and were a bit too gooey (ended up more like an apple crumble than a bar) and we had to eat them with a spoon. Not sure how to cook them longer and get them to set up to a bar consistency without the top getting too hard? Any suggestions?
They got rave reviews (taste wise) — I would just like to tweak them so that you can pick them up to eat rather than with a spoon.
Thanks again!
luv what you do says
Wow! These look awesome! I love the addition of caramel and apples in the blonde brownie!
Lemonsforlulu says
I adore blonde brownies! The apples were an excellent addition!
Kristin says
These look amazing! I don’t have any caramel bits though. 🙁 So I am going to try making them with cinnamon chips instead, just as soon as my butter softens up a bit. Hopefully it will still be good. Apples and Cinnamon are good right? 🙂 I do wish I had some caramel bits though.
Susan says
Where do you get the caramel bits… I’ve never seen them. I assume the Cinnabon sprinkles are just cinnamon/sugar mix? Can’t wait to make these!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Susan! Walmart and Meijer carry the caramel bits and yes any cinnamon sugar combo would work.
Brent Wambold says
The reason she asked is the ingredient list says “cinnamon sugar” at the end… and the instructions says sprinkle with Cinnabon Sprinkles. There is that breakdown in the connection between what you ask for and what you use.
Brent Wambold says
I also noticed after watching the video presentation – they folded the Caramel Bits in before the pan (directions said to press them on top) and when they came out of the oven… they didn’t sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar as the recipe asked us to do…
Tanya Schroeder says
Folding the caramel bits or placing them on top will not affect the outcome of the brownie. The video is a visual guideline only.
Tanya Schroeder says
Cinnabon was the brand of cinnamon sugar sprinkles I used. However, I don’t believe those are available any longer so I will amend that in the instructions.
denise@victory rd. says
printed it.
making it.
want to be caught on camera, too. 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Yeah!!! You have to tell me how they turn out!
Meg Robins (@SweetTwist_Meg) says
So glad you reshared these because I think I am in love.
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Meg, I know I am in love too!
ladygourmet says
Dear Tanya, These look irresistible! Apples and caramel is a match made in heaven. Blessings, Catherine xo
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you! These are so perfect for fall!
Carol (home baker) says
I just made the Caramel Apple Brownies. First of off these can’t be any easier! I used 2 Granny Smith apples, upped the cinnamon to 1Tbsp, and added 1tsp of vanilla bean paste. The batter is VERY thick, almost cookie dough thick, but the finished product is moist and oh so yummy. As the brownies were baking the house smelled heavenly!! My husband is the official taste tester in our house. He is a peanut butter, chocolate, caramel LOVER (and yes I made the Reece’s Peanut Butter Caramel Bars), and he really liked these Caramel Apple Brownies – with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce. He recommended adding toasted walnuts so next time I will try that. I will also use a smaller pan since I would like a thicker brownie. All in all, the brownies are a HIT!
Lemonsforlulu says
Ooh the salted caramel sauce is a great idea! They really put you in the mood for fall don’t they? Let me know how the walnuts work!
Mimi says
Lulu, I’m your newest fan and already have bookmarked your blog. Your recipes are sensational and very original. Can’t wait to make the Caramel Brownies. For years, my favorite chef has been Michael Symon, and now you come into my life to add more delicious Greek productions! I am Cuban, so you can imagine how much I adore food. I thank you for the hours of deliciousness you will provide me with in the near future. Keep the good work going!
Lemonsforlulu says
Mimi, I’m so happy to have here! You have just paid me the highest compliment ever, I’m so thankful you take the time to read this blog. Please feel to reach out to me with any questions!
Paula says
Your mobile and desktop sites are so overcome with advertisements that I cannot get any recipes!! I can’t click the ads away. So I can’t get these wonderful recipes:(
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Paula! I will work on correting those. And I’m so sorry for your experience. Ads can certainly be annoying.
Valerie says
These are baking in the oven right now to take to a family dinner. I live in a small community (Wal-Mart is not welcome here =)), so I subbed Light Marzetti’s caramel and swirled it throughout the brownies with a butter knife. I also used only half the butter, and subbed canned pumpkin for the other half (my attempt to save a few calories). Thanks for the recipe!
Valerie says
I wanted to follow-up, with my minor substitutions (half the butter was replaced with pumpkin, one egg replaced with 1/4c Egg Beaters, & I couldn’t find the caramel bits so I used about 3T Marzetti’s Lt. Caramel Dip then swirled it through with a knife) these were still delicious. Thank you!
David white says
Can you use any type of apples I forgot to pick up Granny Smiths. Going to make these brownies today
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Nice new and inventive brownie recipe!! Love it!!!