Fabulous Apple Brownies

THESE MAY BE THE BEST apple brownies we have ever had! Hackett’s Orchard in South Hero, Vermont, sent us this recipe (look for their Glazed Apple Cookies recipe, too).

The moist, cake-like texture and chunks of apple in these brownies are satisfying to the palate and bursting with flavor. We had no Golden Delicious or Mutsu on hand so used Empire apples instead. We made a few modifications to the original recipe, notably using half whole wheat flour and substituting a local agricultural product, maple syrup, for white sugar.

These Apple Brownies came from the Larrow family, the orchard’s original owners before Ron and Celia Hackett purchased it in 1967. The recipe may be more than 75 years old.

At first bite, it is clear why they have stood the test of time.

1 c flour

1 c whole wheat flour

2 t baking powder

1 t salt

1 t cinnamon

1¼ c maple syrup

2 eggs, beaten

¾ c butter, melted

1 t vanilla

1 c chopped walnuts (optional)

4 New England apples, cored and chopped into small pieces

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13 pan.

Combine dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.

Add beaten eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.

Stir in apples and nuts.

Turn batter into pan.

Bake 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes clean.