Caramel Apple Brownies

It's here!  The Ween!  Trick or treaters are literally coming to my door right now, Halloween is playing on the TV, and I'm baking a pumpkin pie.  It's awesome.

In honor of Halloween this is a "brownie" recipe modeled after one of my favorite Halloween treats, caramel apples!



I say "brownies" because there is nothing chocolaty about these.  But that's not a bad thing!  They are absolutely loaded with apples, which keep them moist and gives them that brownie consistency.  They also have a healthy dose of chopped pecans in them, which is crazy delicious.

Happy Halloween!!!

Caramel Apple Brownies
(makes one 9x9'' pan, adapted from foodie crush)

1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

3/4cup chopped pecans

2 large firm-sweet apples (Honeycrisps) peeled and chopped into small cubes

Melted caramel (as desired)

Preheat the oven to 375.  Line pan with parchment all the way up the sides, and butter the parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together butter, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Stir in chopped apple and pecans by hand.  

Stir in dry ingredients until combined.  Pour batter into prepared pan, pressing down into an even layer.  Bake 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack about an hour.  Drizzle caramel over the top.  Store in the fridge.