Pecan Pie Brownies
When Hubby and I were visiting his family for Thanksgiving, his mom told me that we’d be having our Thanksgiving dinner at 2pm, then she invited the whole extended family over for desserts at 7pm. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, we determined that we needed an extra dessert for the evening dessert get together.
After examining the list of desserts already on the menu, I knew I wanted to make something with chocolate. We had all of the other classic holiday flavors covered – apple, pumpkin, and cranberry. Since pecan pie is a given at my family holiday gatherings, I was originally going to make a classic pecan pie. Me being me, I decided that was too predictable and wanted to mix things up.
For some reason, I got the idea of a chocolate pecan pie in my head. But let’s not kid ourselves. Pie crust still scares the crap out of me. And we had plenty of pies already on the menu. The obvious next thought in my mind was to make something like a pie but without a crust. Then my mind went to brownies, as it does more often than I’d like to admit.
I decided to search the Internet since I was sure this had been done before. I found a recipe that I used for a guide on the proportions. I used my all-time Favorite Brownie Recipe as a base.
These Pecan Pie Brownies are rich. And fudgey. And absolutely amazing. If you like pecan pie and chocolate, you have to make these. I cut them small since they are pretty intense and served them with freshly whipped cream. If you’re looking for a dessert to make this holiday season that will knock people’s socks off, try these Pecan Pie Brownies.
One Year Ago: White Chocolate Gingerbread Blondies
Two Years Ago: Turnip Puff, Honey Yeast Rolls, and Pumpkin Praline Cake
Three Years Ago: Snickerdoodle Blondies and Mint Brownies
Four Years Ago: The Great Sugar Cookie Debate and Fudge
Five Years Ago: Soft Pretzels and Easy M&M Treats
Pecan Pie Brownies
Yield: 16 brownies
Ingredients:
For the Brownie Layer
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp espresso powder, optional
1/2 Tbsp vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cups flour
1 cup chocolate chips
For the Pecan Pie Layer
1/2 cup honey or corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp vanilla
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
2 cups chopped pecans
Directions:
For the Brownie Layer
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 8"x8" pan
In a saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter, then add the sugar and stir to combine.
Transfer the sugar mixture to a medium-sized mixing bowl, if you've heated it in a saucepan. Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla.
Whisk in the eggs, stirring until smooth.
Add the flour and chips, again stirring until smooth.
Spoon the batter into a lightly greased 8"x8" pan. Bake for 10 minutes while you prepare the pecan pie layer.
For the Pecan Pie Layer
While the brownies are in the oven, mix the pecan pie layer.
In a medium bowl, combine the corn syrup and sugar. Whisk until smooth.
Mix in the eggs and vanilla. Add the melted butter and stir until combined.
Stir in the pecans.
Final Assembly
After the brownies have baked for 10 minutes, remove from oven. Pour pecan pie layer over brownies and use a spatula to spread evenly to the edges of the pan.
Return to the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes until pecan pie topping is completely set.
Remove from oven and allow to cool, preferably overnight. Cut and serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Recipe inspired by La Casa de Sweets, adapted from My Favorite Brownies
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
this is such a fantastic idea!! I would make cookie dough batter with my friends in middle school… leave out the eggs, and just eat it with a spoon LOL so good!
This looks awesome! Since I’m a huge fan of cookie dough I know I will love this recipe 🙂
Ha – my husband loves the dough more than the cookie as well. I starred these – DEFINITELY making them soon.
Oooh these look delicious!! And combine the best of 2 worlds 🙂
Sues
holy cow! cookie dough + brownie? I think I’m in heaven
what a cool idea for the cookie dough layer. i used to make raw cookie dough (with egg beaters) and keep it in the freezer just for snacking
Yum. I made a similar recipe but I put a thin chocolate ganache on top. It’s one of the best recipes I’ve posted, but I’m a sucker for that raw dough.
I think I might have to agree with your bro and hubby. I love chocolate chip cookies, but it’s the dough that makes me weak in the knees! This recipe is right up my alley.
These look great! I also let my husband lick the beaters, but occasionally I slink behind the counter beside the sink and keep all the batter for myself. He’s usually too involved with TV to even notice.
LOL, oh my gosh! I just noticed this had a anti-Weight Watchers label. How funny!
Those look insanely good!!Thanks for sharing the recipe!
~ingrid
My high school made cookie dough covered brownies back in the day. They had a cult following and always sold out before the last lunch period. I never understood why you needed the brownie when a spoon works just fine.
Oh man. So sinful. Reminds me of the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream “Half Baked. Half brownie, half cookie dough. I can’t say no to that stuff.
Yummmm!! Oh my goodnessIsao adore cookie dough… This combination is beautiful!
sounds delicious!
these brownies looked so good I tried to make them myself! I love cookie dough AND brownies – perfect combo! Yours look much better of course. Here are mine: http://foodiesatworkdotcom.blogspot.com/2009/12/cookie-dough-brownies.html
YUM! These sound great!
AHHHH these look amaaazzzinnngggg. A little late in finding these but yeah I’m gonna need to make them.
-Whitney
AHHHH these look amaaazzzinnngggg. A little late in finding these but yeah I’m gonna need to make them.
-Whitney
I just made these and they got rave reviews at work! Definitely a keeper – thanks, as always, for sharing a great recipe and photos!
The best of both worlds!! These look awesome.
AWESOME,,,,,,,,,,,,Thank you.