Cinnamon Pecan Apple Squares are the perfect simple recipe for fall baking. You’ll love how easy this snack cake is to prepare and that it is freezer-friendly!

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Making this Easy Recipe for Apple Squares

I am so ready to get going on holiday baking and spend some more time in the kitchen with the kids testing out some fun new treats. One of our new favorites is this snack cake recipe for Cinnamon Pecan Apple Squares.

These Apple Squares are so easy to prepare. When my kids were little they could handle whipping up a batch this simple apple snack cake if I handled chopping the pecans and apples for them. It has always been so fun to see their skills in the kitchen improve and their confidence in their abilities.

What I Love About these Apple Squares

Technically this snack cake is a dessert, but I’ll admit to eating some for breakfast this morning.

The apple squares aren’t overly sweet and they have fruit and nuts in them, so that makes them healthy…right? Maybe I should call it a breakfast cake instead. HA!

I also like how they are soft and chewy. These apple bars also freeze well once they’ve cooled and been cut into squares, so take an extra minute or two to make yourself a double batch.

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Tools Needed to Make Apple Squares

You’ll need a few different kitchen tools and supplies to prepare this easy recipe for apple bars. I recommend using:

• Vegetable Peeler – to peel the apples.
• Knife and Cutting Board – to chop the apples.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons – to measure the ingredients.
• Small Bowl – to combine the dry ingredients in.
• Wire Whisk – use a wire whisk to sift all of the dry ingredients together.
• Medium-Size Bowl – to combine the wet ingredients.
• Electric Mixer – a hand mixer works well to beat the butter and sugar mixture.
• Parchment Paper – lining the baking pan with parchment makes it easier to lift the snack cake out.
• Flexible Spatula – I like to use a silicone spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl and to spread the apple bar batter into the pan.
• Square Baking Pan – these apple squares bake in an 8×8 square pan.

What is in this Easy Apple Square Recipe

This pecan apple squares recipe has a pretty short and sweet ingredient list. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Butter
• Brown Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla Extract
• Cinnamon Extract
• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Ground Cinnamon
• Ground Nutmeg
• Pecans
• Apple

What is the Best Apple Variety to Use in this Recipe?

This recipe for cinnamon apple bars will work with pretty much any type of apple, but I prefer to use an apple variety that is tart and/or crisp. I prefer to use Honeycrisp Apple or Granny Smith Apple. You could also use a combination of apples

Apple Square Ingredient Substitutes

Questions about ingredient substitutes when making this apple snack cake recipe? Here are my suggestions:

• If preferred, you can substitute walnuts in place of the pecans when preparing these apple squares.
• If you have tree nut allergies, try adding cinnamon chips in place of the nuts.
• Ghee or clarified butter can be used in place of regular butter, if desired.
• Whole wheat pastry flour may be substituted for all-purpose flour in this snack cake recipe.
• This recipe for apple squares has not been tested with gluten-free substitutes, however my go-to when experimenting with this is Cup4Cup Gluten-Free Flour.

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make these Easy Apple Squares

First, heat oven and line a pan with parchment paper.

After that, add butter and brown sugar to a mixing bowl and beat until combined. Then, add the egg and extracts and mix well.

Next, combine flour with the remaining dry ingredients in another bowl, whisking so they’re well sifted. After that, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix flour in until combined. Next, combine apples and chopped nuts with the batter, stirring until incorporated.

Then, spread the apple batter in an even layer in the prepared pan. Bake according to directions. Lastly, cool on a wire rack before cutting.

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Tips for Making Apple Squares

There aren’t really any difficult baking techniques to master before making this recipe, but here are a couple of suggestions that will help you get the best results:

• Start with softened butter and room temperature eggs. Forgot pull your butter out of the fridge ahead of time? Check out these tips for How to Soften Butter Quickly and How to Bring Eggs to Room Temperature Quickly.
• Check the expiration date on your baking powder. Old baking powder will not have the proper leavening affect on these apple bars. Did you know you can make Homemade Baking Powder?
• Although not necessary, I like to purchase already chopped pecans so I don’t have the extra step of chopping the nuts. It makes this apple snack cake even easier to prepare!

How to Store Apple Squares

These apple squares are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container. However, make sure you cool them completely before sealing the container so they don’t develop condensation – that will just make them soggy.

How to Freeze this Recipe

You can also store these apple squares in the freezer if you’d like to prepare a batch to keep for later. First, cool them completely. Then, cut into squares. After that, transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container.

Alternatively, you can store them uncut. Cool completely, then lift the entire snack cake out of the bottom of the pan using the edges of the parchment paper. Wrap the apple cake in plastic wrap, then place in a gallon sized freezer bag and transfer to the freezer.

Apple Square Serving Ideas

If you want to take your presentation up a notch when serving this simple apple cake recipe, try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or even just a dusting of confectioners sugar.

Try this Apple Squares Recipe!

Next time you’re looking for a simple fall season recipe, give these Cinnamon Pecan Apple Squares a try! Are they one of your favorite easy apple desserts now? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this simple apple recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of these Apple Squares!

More Easy Apple Recipes

These Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are perfect for the transition space between summer and fall. You can use up the loads of summer zucchini while savoring the fall spice flavors and a hint of apple.

Apple Cider Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples is the perfect fall meal. Fragrant sage and sweet caramelized apples pair perfectly with savory pork chops!

Apple Cranberry Muffins are packed with oats, fall spices, fresh cranberries, and shredded apples. They’re the perfect fall muffin recipe and are so easy to make!

This recipe for Apple Overnight Oats is flavored with the apple pie flavors, has chunks of real honeycrisp apples, and is super simple to make thanks to soaking overnight! 

This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread with Walnuts is perfect for fall and features some of fall’s best flavors, such as cinnamon, apples, and walnuts.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

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What recipes are you looking forward to baking this fall?

I have been partnering with Fisher Nuts since 2013 because it is one of the only brands of recipe nuts entirely without preservatives.  I have been compensated for my time creating this recipe for Cinnamon Apple Pecan Squares, but all opinions are my own.