Pecan Pie Brownies

Pecan Pie Meets Brownies

What’s better than one dessert? TWO desserts that are passed off as one. And that’s exactly what you get with these gourmet-style Pecan Pie Brownies!

Thick fudgy homemade brownies get covered in sticky, sweet pecan topping, a guaranteed treat that will wow everyone! Don’t worry, the wow factor isn’t attached to a lengthy, complicated recipe.

Instead, this dessert preps in just 15 minutes using pecans and pantry staple ingredients! Making it rich and delicious enough to earn a spot among the other Thanksgiving desserts but easy enough to make that you can enjoy it anytime!

Ingredients For Pecan Pie Brownies

Brownie Layer: Dry ingredients such as granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, and salt combine with salted butter, canola oil, large eggs and vanilla extract to create the fudgy brownie base. To bake up brownies that have zero-cake like texture I then finish the brownie batter off by folding semi-sweet chocolate chips in it before baking.

If needed, you can replace salted butter with unsalted butter as long as you add an additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the brownie batter and pecan pie filling. You can also replace Dutch-process cocoa powder with unsweetened cocoa powder if you prefer.

Pecan Layer: Once the brownie layer is half-baked, the nutty, brown sugar filling is poured on top and finishes baking up to gooey perfection. To make the pecan pie layer dark brown sugar, salted butter, and dark corn syrup cook up on the stovetop before combining with water, corn starch, vanilla extract, and salt.

This mixture then combines with large eggs, pecan pieces, and pecan halves to finish off the pecan pie layer. You can even swap the pecans out for your choice of nut if you’d like!

How To Make Pecan Pie Brownies

1. Prepare by preheating the oven and lining the cake pan with parchment paper and then spraying it lightly with cooking spray.
2. Melt salted butter over low heat and then stir in granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth. Once the melted mixture has begun to emulsify remove the pot from the stove and transfer it into a bowl to allow it to cool.
3. Beat canola oil and vanilla extract into the melted butter mixture until everything has fully combined without any separation between ingredients.
4. Mix the large eggs in one at a time, beating after each addition.
5. Sift all-purpose flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, and salt into the melted butter mixture. Stir the batter gently only until almost all of the dry streaks are gone.
6. Fold semi-sweet mini chocolate chips into the batter.
7. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and bake the brownies only until they’re halfway done.
8. Prepare the pecan layer while the brownies bake by combining dark brown sugar, salted butter, and dark corn syrup in a saucepan to cook over medium heat. Stir and heat until the mixture has completely melted.
9. Stir water and cornstarch together in a small prep bowl and then add it to the butter mixture along with vanilla extract and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and then remove it from the heat.
10. Beat the large eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer until they become frothy. Afterward, slowly add in the butter mixture while the mixer continues beating.
11. Mix in pecan pieces and pecan halves. Then pour the pecan mixture over the partially cooked brownies.
12. Bake the brownies with the pecan layer for the remaining time until the center is slightly jiggly.
13. Cool the brownies until the top layer sets completely. Then remove the brownies from the pan to slice, serve, and enjoy!

Pecan Pie Brownies Substitutions And Variations

• Unsalted Butter – Salted butter can be replaced with unsalted butter as long as an additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt is added to the brownie recipe and pecan pie filling.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – If you already have unsweetened cocoa powder on hand, you can use that instead of Dutch-process cocoa powder. No other changes to the recipe are needed if you decide to make this swap.
• Other Syrups – Dark corn syrup can be substituted for regular corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. However, keep in mind that any of these substitutions will alter the final taste of these Pecan Pie Brownies.
• Chocolate Chips – I prefer making these brownies with mini semi-sweet chocolate chips but feel free to use what you’d like. You can even omit the chocolate chips if you prefer.
• Nuts – You can swap the pecans out in the filling recipe for your choice of nuts.

The Best Way To Enjoy Pecan Pie Brownies

Enjoy these Pecan Pie Brownies as is or pop your square into the microwave to heat it up a bit! Then enjoy it in a shallow bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a dollop of Homemade Whipped Cream!

Storage Instructions For Pecan Pie Brownies

Store Pecan Pie Brownies in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper separating the layers to prevent them from sticking together. Keep them at room temperature and enjoy for 3 to 4 days.

How To Freeze Pecan Pie Brownies

Bake these gourmet brownies ahead of time and then freeze them to get ahead of the holiday baking rush or to prepare for a bake sale or potluck. To do so, bake the brownies according to the recipe instructions and then allow them to set and cool for the full six hours.

Afterward, transfer individual slices onto a baking sheet and transfer it into the freezer to flash freeze them. Then wrap each frozen slice in plastic wrap and again in aluminum foil. This double wrapping method will prevent the brownies from becoming freezer burnt.

Store the Pecan Pie Brownies in the freezer to enjoy for up to 2 months.

More Gourmet Brownie Recipes

• Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies – The most amazing brownie recipe that you’ll ever eat!
• No Bake Cookie Brownies – Two popular desserts collide into one decadent treat!
• Coffee Brownies – Denise, fudgy brownies with an incredible sweet coffee flavor!
• Buckeye Brownies – Three layered brownies that have a soft, peanut buttery center!
• Mud Pie Brownies – Made with a boxed mix and marshmallow fluff!