Introduction: The Cozy Comfort of a Perfect Dessert
A homemade dessert brings a special warmth. It reminds you of comfort and good times. Creating delicious treats from scratch is truly rewarding. This recipe for Skillet Apple Pie Brownies combines beloved flavors into one amazing dish.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe gives you the best of two desserts: apple pie and fudgy brownies. You get the rich, chocolatey goodness of a brownie with the sweet, spiced apple pie topping. It’s easy to prepare but looks impressive when served. This dessert works for any gathering, from a casual family dinner to a special event.
How to Make Skillet Apple Pie Brownies
You start by preparing a flavorful apple filling. Then, you mix a rich, fudgy brownie batter. Finally, you layer them in a skillet and bake until golden and delicious.
Ingredients of Skillet Apple Pie Brownies
- For the Fudgy Brownie Base:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
- For the Zesty Apple Pie Topping:
- 3 medium apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Directions of Skillet Apple Pie Brownies
- Prepare the Delicious Apple Filling:
- Peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces.
- In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, until the apples soften.
- Stir in the lemon juice and cornstarch. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix the Rich Brownie Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup light brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Gently fold the batter with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
- If using, gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Assemble and Bake in Your Skillet:
- Spread half of the brownie batter evenly into the bottom of the greased cast-iron skillet.
- Carefully spoon the prepared apple pie filling over the brownie base, spreading it evenly.
- Dollop the remaining brownie batter over the apple filling. Gently spread it out as much as you can, covering most of the apples.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the brownie layer (not the apple layer) comes out with moist crumbs attached. The edges should look set.
How to Serve Skillet Apple Pie Brownies
Serve these warm straight from the skillet. They are wonderful on their own. For an extra special treat, top them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. A sprinkle of toasted pecans also adds a nice crunch.
How to Store Skillet Apple Pie Brownies
Store any leftover Skillet Apple Pie Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. You can also refrigerate them to extend freshness for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven for the best texture.
Tips to Make Skillet Apple Pie Brownies
- Ingredient Matters: Use good quality cocoa powder for a deep chocolate flavor. Fresh, firm apples will hold their shape better.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing the brownie batter too much develops gluten, which can lead to a cakey texture instead of fudgy. Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are just incorporated.
- Skillet Savvy: Make sure your cast-iron skillet is well-greased to prevent sticking.
- The Doneness Test: A toothpick inserted into the brownie layer should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. This indicates a fudgy brownie.
- Cooling is Key: Let the brownies cool slightly in the skillet before slicing and serving. This allows them to set up better and makes them easier to cut.
Variation
- Nutty Brownies: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie batter for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
- Spiced Up Apples: Try adding a pinch of allspice or cardamom to the apple filling for a more complex spice profile.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: Once the brownies cool, melt some white chocolate and drizzle it over the top for a beautiful presentation and added sweetness.
- Crumble Topping: For a different texture, you can replace a portion of the top brownie batter with a simple oat crumble topping right before baking.
FAQs
- Can I make these Skillet Apple Pie Brownies ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the apple filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also bake the entire dessert ahead of time; simply reheat it gently before serving.
- What are the best types of apples to use for Skillet Apple Pie Brownies?
- Firm, tart apples work best, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. They hold their shape well during cooking and offer a good balance to the sweetness of the brownie.
- What makes these Skillet Apple Pie Brownies fudgy and not cakey?
- The ratio of fat to flour, along with minimal mixing of the batter, helps achieve a fudgy texture. Avoid adding too much flour and do not overmix after adding the dry ingredients.
Decadent Skillet Apple Crumble Brownies
A rich and fudgy brownie base topped with a zesty, spiced apple pie filling and a buttery, crispy crumble, all baked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- 10-inch cast-iron skillet
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Pastry blender
Ingredients
For the Fudgy Brownie Base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
For the Zesty Apple Pie Topping
- 3 medium apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- A pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
For the Crispy Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cubed
Instructions
Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling
- Dice apples after peeling and coring.
- Melt butter in a saucepan, then add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt; cook for 8-10 minutes until apples soften.
- Stir in lemon juice and cornstarch, cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened, then remove from heat and cool.
Mix the Rich Brownie Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan.
- Whisk melted butter with granulated and light brown sugar in a large bowl until smooth.
- Beat in eggs one by one, then stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in chocolate chips if desired.
Prepare the Crispy Crumble Topping
- Combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
- Cut cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients using fingertips or a pastry blender until coarse crumbs form.
Assemble and Bake in Your Skillet
- Spread brownie batter evenly into the greased skillet.
- Spoon the apple pie filling evenly over the brownie base.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the crumble is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the brownie layer comes out with moist crumbs.
Cool and Serve
- Let the brownies cool in the skillet for 15-20 minutes to set properly.
- Serve warm, optionally with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce.
Notes
Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra decadent treat.