A Slice of Comfort, Reimagined
Remember those crisp autumn days, the aroma of cinnamon apple pie wafting through the kitchen, and the comforting taste of a homemade apple pie? Or perhaps it was the rich, fudgy indulgence of a warm brownie, chocolate melting in your mouth? What if you could capture the best of both worlds, uniting these beloved dessert experiences into one extraordinary treat? Today, we’re embarking on a culinary adventure that promises to do just that – introducing a dessert that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also ignite a spark of nostalgic joy: our incredible Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping. Get ready to experience a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you utterly smitten.
Why Make These Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping
- The Ultimate Mashup: You do not have to choose between a classic apple pie and a decadent brownie – these bars offer the best of both worlds in every single bite.
- Irresistible Textures: Imagine a fudgy brownie base, topped with tender, spiced apple filling, all crowned with a buttery, crisp streusel. It is a textural masterpiece!
- Seasonal Delight: This recipe perfectly captures the cozy flavors of autumn and winter, making it ideal for holiday gatherings or a comforting treat on a chilly evening.
- Impressively Easy: Despite their sophisticated appearance and incredible flavor, these bars are surprisingly simple to make, perfect for both seasoned bakers and beginners.
- Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: Whether you are entertaining guests or simply craving a special treat, these Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping are guaranteed to be a surefire hit!
How to Make Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping
Making these bars is easy! You will first prepare the fudgy brownie base, then the spiced apple filling, and finally the buttery streusel topping. Then, you will layer them in a baking dish and bake until golden.
Ingredients of Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping
#### For the Fudgy Brownie Base
- Essential Dry Ingredients: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, salt.
- Wet Ingredients for Richness: Large eggs, vanilla extract, vegetable oil or melted unsalted butter.
- Chocolatey Goodness: Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
#### For the Spiced Apple Filling
- Fresh Apple Varieties: Firm, slightly tart apples (like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced.
- Warming Spices: Ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg.
- Sweeteners and Thickener: Granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch.
#### For the Buttery Streusel Toping
- Flours and Sugars: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar.
- Cold Butter for Crumbly Perfection: Unsalted butter, very cold and cut into small pieces.
- A Hint of Spice: Ground cinnamon.
Directions of Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping
#### Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Base
- Melting Chocolate and Butter: Melt the chocolate and butter together until smooth.
- Whisking Wet Ingredients: Whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Combining Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chocolate mixture.
#### Step 2: Assemble the Apple Filling
- Peeling and Slicing Apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
- Sautéing for Tenderness: Cook the sliced apples with a little sugar and lemon juice until they are slightly tender.
- Adding Spices and Thickener: Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Cook until the mixture thickens.
#### Step 3: Create the Streusel Topping
- Combining Dry Streusel Ingredients: Mix the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Cutting in Cold Butter: Use a pastry blender, your fingers, or a fork to cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until it forms a coarse, crumbly texture.
- Achieving the Crumbly Texture: Continue mixing until the streusel is crumbly.
#### Step 4: Layer and Bake
- Spreading the Brownie Batter: Press the brownie batter evenly into a prepared baking pan (usually 9×13 inch).
- Layering the Apple Filling: Spread the apple filling evenly over the brownie layer.
- Sprinkling the Streusel: Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apple layer.
- Baking to Golden Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven (around 350°F or 175°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the brownie comes out with moist crumbs.
#### Step 5: Cool and Slice
- Cooling Completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Cutting into Bars: Once fully cooled, cut them into individual bars.
How to Serve Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping
- A La Mode: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is a classic pairing.
- With a Drizzle: A caramel sauce or a light dusting of powdered sugar adds an elegant touch.
- Whipped Cream Wonder: A dollop of freshly whipped cream provides a delightful contrast.
- Coffee or Tea Time: Enjoy alongside a warm mug of coffee, spiced tea, or hot cider.
How to Store Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping
Store these bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in an airtight container.
Tips to Make Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping
- Do Not Overmix: For a fudgy brownie, avoid overmixing the batter once you add the dry ingredients.
- Apple Choice Matters: Use a firm, slightly tart apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance.
- Cold Butter is Key: Make sure your butter for the streusel is very cold for that desired crumbly texture.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to slice warm bars! They need to cool completely to set properly.
Variation
- Nutty Streusel: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to your streusel topping for extra crunch.
- Chocolate Chip Brownie Base: Fold in a handful of chocolate chips into the brownie batter.
- Caramel Apple Swirl: Drizzle warm caramel over the apple layer before adding the streusel.
- Spiced Pear Variation: Swap out the apples for pears for a different autumnal twist.
FAQs
Q: Can I make the Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can store these bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for longer storage.
Q: What kind of apples are best for these Apple Pie Brownie Bars?
A: For the best texture and flavor in your Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Streusel Topping, we recommend using firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.
Q: My streusel topping is not as crumbly as I would like. What went wrong?
A: The key to a crumbly streusel topping for your Apple Pie Brownie Bars is using very cold butter and working quickly to combine it with the dry ingredients without overworking. If the butter gets too warm, it can make the streusel less crumbly and more dough-like.
Decadent Apple Pie Brownie Bars with Pecan Streusel
Equipment
- Oven
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Large bowl
- Medium bowl
- Large skillet
- Small bowl
- Pastry blender/Fingertips/Fork
- Wire rack
Ingredients
For the Fudgy Brownie Base
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted unsalted butter)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Spiced Apple Filling
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Pecan Streusel Topping
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter very cold and cut into small pieces
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Prepare the Brownie Base
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then line and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate chips with vegetable oil in a microwave until smooth.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy, then stir in the melted chocolate mixture.
- Whisk flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a separate bowl; gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
- Pour and spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Assemble the Apple Filling
- Combine sliced apples, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a large skillet, cooking over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until slightly softened.
- Whisk ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and cornstarch, then add this mixture to the apples and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened; remove from heat.
Create the Pecan Streusel Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
- Add cold, cubed butter and cut it into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form, then stir in the chopped pecans.
Layer and Bake
- Evenly spread the spiced apple filling over the brownie base, then generously sprinkle the pecan streusel topping over the apple layer.
Bake to Golden Perfection
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until the streusel is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the brownie (avoiding apple) comes out with moist crumbs.
Cool and Slice
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before lifting with parchment and cutting into individual bars.