Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Brownies blend rich, fudgy brownie batter with fresh diced apples and a luscious caramel sauce, topped with a sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. Baked to perfection, these brownies offer a delightful twist on classic brownies, combining the warmth of apples and the indulgence of caramel in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 1 box brownie mix (typically 18.5 oz)
- 2 medium fresh apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (plus more for sprinkling)
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the brownies evenly.
- Melt Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, then allow it to cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine with Brownie Mix: Gently fold the brownie mix into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to maintain a tender texture.
- Add Apples: Fold in the diced apples evenly throughout the batter to ensure every bite has fresh apple pieces.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Pour the batter into a 9×13 inch baking pan that has been greased or lined with parchment paper, spreading the batter out evenly.
- Bake Brownies: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Add Caramel Swirl: Remove the brownies from the oven, drizzle the caramel sauce over the warm surface, and gently swirl it through the batter using a knife for a marbled effect.
- Sprinkle Sea Salt and Cool: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top to balance the sweetness, then let the brownies cool for 15-20 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
- Use crisp and tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for the best flavor contrast.
- For homemade caramel sauce, simmer sugar and butter with cream until rich and golden.
- Allow brownies to cool completely for cleaner cuts and better texture.
- Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free brownie mix.
