Apple Brownies and an Anniversary Cake!

This post is inspired by my friend Diane Loviza, who shared her Apple Brownies recipe with me on facebook.  Well, I left facebook and decided to look up recipes online for this wonderful dessert. I found a few I liked particularly well, but changed things up so much that I now have my own, unique recipe for Apple Brownies. I hear they are terrific (into week 4 of that food study - none for me!). My son-in-law Bill said, "You can make these again!" I dropped a bunch off to my son Joe, and the rest are getting wrapped and frozen for life post-food study, though the results of the study are so positive, I may never eat "that way" again. It's been phenomenal!

So, about those Apple Brownies. I sauté small chunks of apples in a little butter and apple cider until soft but still intact (my adaptation to the recipe). I chose to use brown sugar and white sugar, to provide a bit of solid chewiness. I left out walnuts because I didn't have any, but would definitely include them if my cupboards weren't bare (of walnuts)!

This is also a pretty dessert. Anyone who's read this blog for a while knows I love pretty food! But the appearance is only outdone by the delicious aroma and (I hear) taste!  Try these - you will LOVE them!

Before going under the knife!

APPLE BROWNIES
8-inch square pan, sprayed with cooking spray
Preheat oven to 350-degrees Farenheit

Step 1:
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
2 larger or 3 small apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks

Melt butter in medium saucepan. Add apple juice and apples. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until soft but still intact, and all the cider has evaporated.  Allow to cool and set aside.


Step 2:
1 bar unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

In large mixing bowl, beat butter with sugars and vanilla extract. Add egg and beat until very well combined.

Step 3:
Sift together dry ingredients onto a sheet of wax or parchment paper:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Dump sifted ingredients into mixing bowl and, on low speed, combine with butter/sugar mixture.

Step 4:
Remove from mixer and fold in cooked apples. If desired, you can also add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts at this point.

Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until brownies begin to brown lightly on the outer edges and are firm in the middle.

Cool for 30 minutes.

Cut into 12  bars (3 one way, 4 the other).

Sift a little confectioners sugar on top if you like.

And speaking of pretty food....

The boys "helping" to make their parents' anniversary cake
Note - Pete's got TWO spoons!
(another one of today's projects)

Anniversary cake - filling - butter cream
and sour cherry preserves - just like their wedding cake!

Almond flavor layers

With Hershey Cocoa Frosting, and a slight hint of almond

...and here's the link to my web album with the original wedding cake from October, 2005 (and lots of other cakes, as well!).

Happy Anniversary, Katie and Bill, and many more!