Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie
Is it a brownie? Is it a pie? It’s both! This Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie is a fun mash-up of two favorite desserts. Enjoy!
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My wife walked into the kitchen as I was drizzling caramel on top of slices of this Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie. She immediately exclaimed, “Oh, those are going to be a problem.” I looked up at her quizzically. Problem? Since when are brownies ever a problem? Of course, she meant these brownies were a problem because she wouldn’t be able to stop nibbling on them. I can’t blame her. These brownies were indeed a problem.
As she stood there waiting impatiently for the caramel drizzling to conclude, my wife made a very keen observation. “Wait. It looks like there might be a slice missing.” She was 100% correct. One of these slices might have disappeared before it ever got to the caramel phase. It’s that good. Yup, definitely a problem.
Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie
I’ve been thinking about brownie pies ever since my aunt made one for us when we visited her in Texas last year. A brownie pie is essentially brownie batter baked into a pie crust. Do brownies really need a pie crust? Absolutely not. But are brownies baked in a pie crust delicious? Absolutely! The chocolatey brownies combined with the buttery pie crust are simply magical. Magical!
I decided to take the brownie pie concept and add pecans and caramel. I personally love chopped nuts in brownies, and I thought the little drizzle of caramel might be a fun addition, too. Of course, feel free to omit either the nuts or the caramel. The plain brownie pie by itself is still quite delicious!
I will say that this Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie needs to cool for a good while before slicing. Think about an apple pie. If you try to slice an apple pie when it’s fresh out of the oven, it will likely fall apart. You’ll end up eating that slice of pie from a bowl with a spoon. It’ll still be delicious, but it won’t look like you intended.
Same thing with this brownie pie. If you try to slice this pie before letting it cool properly, it’ll fall apart. Not that a bowl of warm brownie pie crumble is a bad thing. In fact, it’s very good – that’s how I “lost” the first slice of this pie. But it won’t look the way you intended. So be patient and let that pie cool before slicing!
For this Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie, I used my go-to brownie recipe. I’ve used that exact same recipe for years in all sorts of ways. It’s just a darned good brownie recipe! It calls for both chopped semisweet chocolate and chocolate chips. It all melts in a saucepan with butter. Add in sugar and just a bit of flour, and that’s it. Fantastic brownies! Chewy, but not too chewy. Cakey, but not too cakey. Just fantastic.
If you’re looking to put a fun spin on brownies, then might I suggest a brownie pie? Is it a brownie in pie form? Or a pie with brownie filling? I’m not entirely sure. You can call this dessert whatever you want…as long as I get a slice!
Substitutions
This recipe lends itself well to substitutions and add-ins:
- Other types of nuts. Not a fan of pecans? Go with walnuts, almonds or pistachios instead. Even peanuts would work in this recipe. Or just leave the nuts out entirely.
- Toffee Chips. A handful of toffee baking chips mixed into the brownie batter before baking would be delicious. Peanut butter baking chips would work well, too.
- M&M’s. Same goes for M&M’s. Toss a handful (or two) into the batter before baking.
- Crushed Pretzels. The crunch from crushed pretzels in brownies is quite fun.
- Crushed Candy Canes. Similarly, if you like peppermint + chocolate, you could turn this into a fun holiday dessert by adding crushed candy canes. Plus, it’s kinda fun to roll a rolling pin over candy canes.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover slices of this Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They taste great at room temperature, but zapping the leftovers in the microwave for a few seconds isn’t a bad thing! Brownies also freeze well. Just let them cool completely before wrapping ’em in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, and let thaw at room temperature for an hour or two before serving.
I hope you enjoy this brownie pie as much as we did around our house. I’ll confess that it didn’t last long! Happy Baking!
Did you make this Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie recipe at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!
Caramel Pecan Brownie Pie
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 1 refrigerated pie crust storebought or homemade
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 oz. semisweet chocolate chopped
- 1¾ cups semisweet chocolate chips divided
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ Tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans plus more for garnishing
For the Caramel Sauce
- 1 11-oz. package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
- 4 oz. evaporated milk
Instructions
For the Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Working on a lightly-floured surface, roll out pie dough and press into a 9” pie pan. Set pan aside.
- Using a medium saucepan, add the butter, chocolate and 1 cup of chocolate chips. Place over medium-low heat, stirring often, until butter and chocolate have fully melted; set pan aside to cool.
- Using a large bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Whisk the egg mixture into the warm chocolate mixture.
- Using a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture.
- Stir the remaining ¾ cup of chocolate chips and chopped pecans into the batter.
- Pour batter into prepared pie pan. Bake at 350°F for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the pie comes out mostly clean.
- Let brownie pie cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. (Tip: If it’s still warm, the slices will fall apart. They’ll still be delicious, but they won’t look the same!)
For the Caramel Sauce
- Using a medium saucepan, add caramels and evaporated milk. Place over low heat and cook, stirring often, until mixture is smooth.
- Drizzle hot caramel sauce and sprinkle chopped pecans over each slice before serving.
Looking for more tasty brownie recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Such an indulgent dessert, David! Chocolate, caramel, and pecans are always a winning combination – rich, gooey, and absolutely irresistible.
This is a fun dessert, Ben – it’s a cross between a brownie and a pie!
I need to try this soon for me and I love brownies and chocolate BTW cant wait to make your recipes soon for me
If you love brownies, then you should definitely give this one a try, Ramya – it’s a fun twist!
David, this looks dangerously good, that mash‑up of fudgy brownie, buttery crust, pecans, and caramel is just next‑level.
There is just so much deliciousness going on here, Raymund!
yes i like lots of nuts in my brownies. and this looks very delicious David! A brownie pie is an interesting concept for sure. But i am a rebel; i only use salted butter (like my friend Lorraine on the Not Quite Nigella blog).
sherry
Haha – you rebel you!
David, I’ve never heard of Brownie pie, what a brilliant concept. I don’t make this kind of dessert very often because it would be disastrous for the two of us if you know what I mean. Even in the freezer, we KNOW it’s there’s. Still I’ve locked this decadent sweet away for later.
Oh I totally know what you mean, Pauline! We have to freeze desserts as soon as possible around here. Yes, we still know they’re there…but at least you have to plan ahead if you want to eat it. If it’s just sitting on counter? There’s no chance it lasts!
Where has this brownie (pie) been all of my life?!? A scratch made brownie is amazing all by itself, but infusing it into a pie crust right before adorning it with glorious nuts and caramel… this is simply outrageous. In all the very best ways possible!! The optional mix-ins are also a great idea. This brownie pie would definitely be extra fabulous with some toffee chips or M&M’s mixed in. YUM!!
I know, right?? How have brownie pies flown under the radar for this long!? This was a really fun recipe! I mean, do you really need a pie crust for your brownies? No. But is it a delicious addition? Yes. 🙂 Thanks, Heidi!
Yum, yum, yum…These look like problem brownies indeed!
Haha – such a problem! 🙂