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The best ever Gooey Pecan Pie Brownies, simply delicious. Made with my crinkly brownies on the bottom, then layered with gooey cookie pie swirled with pecans on top. The bars are baked until set on the bottom and the edges. The gooey center has puddles of melted chocolate, notes of maple, brown sugar, and vanilla. They’re the perfect holiday brownie to bake, eat, share, gift, and love this holiday season. They’re going to be a smashing hit!
Happy Halloween! It’s the spookiest day of the year, but I’m skipping ahead to our busy holiday entertaining season. I’ve got a delicious brownie pie recipe to share and I just can’t wait!
I’ve been looking forward to my holiday recipes for months now. I’m so happy and excited to share all of the yummy things I have planned for this November and December. And with Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, we need to get to planning our menus and testing our recipes. You know, do a little preparation before all the holiday craziness begins.
Now these brownies have a very long history. I first shared my original pecan pie brownie in the year of 2012. In just the second month after my mom and I created this website. The brownies are fine, the recipe is written just OK, and the photos, well the photos need so much work.
I could have taken the recipe down, but I love that it’s there. It shows the progress we’ve made and the longevity of this site. I love looking back at those old, old posts.
The idea of a pecan pie brownie still excites me! So I decided to update the recipe. After much testing and batch after batch of brownies, I finally have the perfect recipe to share. We LOVE these.
In my mom’s words, “Frickin delicious! Perfect! Not kidding, that was just the highlight of my day so far. Those were amazing!”.
If you know my mom, you know she’s serious. She doesn’t eat sweets much anymore, mostly never. But she’ll give in when something is really looking and sounding good. She’s also a tough critic, my toughest in fact. She sugar-coats NOTHING. But she said she had one of these three nights in a row.
wow, now we’re both excited!
Here are the details
Step 1: bake the brownies
For this layer, I use my crinkle-top brownie recipe. I didn’t change a thing other than the measurements and omitting the coffee.
Melt together butter and chocolate chips, then mix in sugar and vanilla.
Next, whisk the eggs up in a separate bowl. This is the secret to the crinkle top. You have to use room-temperature eggs, and you have to really whisk them until you see so many bubbles on top.
Whisk the eggs until the chocolate is thick and very glossy looking. It’s going to be pretty and look yummy.
Next, mix in the flour, baking powder, and a handful of chocolate chips.
Step 2: bake the brownie
Now bake the brownie batter. I bake mine for exactly 15 minutes. But depending on your oven, you may need to bake yours for closer to 20. The tops of the baked brownies should be crinkly and no longer wiggle.
Then pull the pan out and arrange the chocolate squares over the brownie.
Step 3: make the pecan cookie pie
It’s easy and you don’t even need a mixer. What you do need is melted butter, so start with that. Just melt the butter in a medium saucepan or in the microwave, then let it cool.
Next up, whisk together brown sugar, eggs, maple syrup, and cream. Then add in that melted butter and vanilla.
Step 4: the pecans
Mix finely chopped pecans into the pecan pie filling.
For the pecans, you can use raw pecans or toast the pecans with bourbon, maple, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. This is optional, but I did share how I do this in the notes.
It will add another layer of deliciousness to your brownie.
Step 5: bake the pie
Pour the pie filling over the pre-baked brownie. Bake until the top is just barely set.
Wait a little bit to let the brownies cool slightly, then cut and serve while still warm. Or at least that’s my personal favorite way to enjoy these brownies, but it is messier. If you prefer a clean slice, let the brownies cool completely, then slice.
And that’s kind of it! As always, my suggestion would be to test the brownies tonight in preparation for the nights of entertaining ahead of us! Enjoy!
Looking for other Thanksgiving desserts? Here are my favorites:
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Cupcakes with Butter Pecan Frosting
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pumpkin Pie
Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Lastly, if you make these Gooey Pecan Pie Brownies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Brown Sugar Pecan Pie Brownies
Servings: 16 brownies
Calories Per Serving: 293 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, broken into pieces
Pecan Cookie Pie Layer
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped (see note)
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9×9 inch square pan with parchment paper.2. In the microwave, melt together the butter and 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Stir in the sugar, and vanilla.3. In a bowl whisk the eggs until bubbly on top, 1 minute. Whisk the eggs into the chocolate mixture, whisking until the chocolate turns thick and glossy. Stir in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and 1/4 cup chocolate chips, until just combined. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake 15-20 minutes, until the brownies are just set (I bake mine exactly 15 minutes).4. Arrange the chocolate pieces over the brownie. 4. Meanwhile, make the pie layer. Whisk together the brown sugar and 2 eggs, and 1 egg yolk until, pale in color, about 3-4 minutes. Add the maple syrup and cream. Whisk in the melted butter and vanilla. Fold in the pecans. Gently pour the filling over the pre-baked brownie. 5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the brownies are just barely set on top. If your pecan layer is still wiggly in the center, continue baking another 20-25 minutes, until the center is melty set. The longer you bake, the more set your brownie will be. Remove from the oven and let cool. Slice into bars and enjoy the yumminess.
Notes
Pecans: You can use raw pecans or you can make the pecans below for added flavor. They are pretty delicious.
Toasted Butter Pecans: Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On the baking sheet, combine 2 cups pecans, 1 tablespoon bourbon, 1 tablespoon maple, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until toasted. Sprinkle with sea salt.
This post was originally published on October 31, 2023
Holy freaking underbaked. Really wanted to love these but couldn’t get the baking time right for the life of me. I love a gooey brownie but these were essentially raw. Could most likely use a bit more R&D on team HBHs part.
Hi Emily,
So sorry to hear the brownies were underbaked. What size and type of baking pan did you use? Did you increase the bake time at all until they were fully set? Let me know how I can help! xx
I baked them exactly as instructed in the recipe! I didn’t anticipate needing to play my own series of guessing games and trial & error to get them to set. I’m disappointed that I’ve wasted my ingredients:(
i’m interested in making this into a pie vs a brownie “bar.”
do you have baking time or modifications to turn into a pie?
Hi Maddie,
So sorry, I don’t have those instructions. You might like one of these recipes as an alternative:
https://fett-weg.today/salted-bourbon-pecan-pumpkin-pie/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/brown-sugar-maple-chocolate-pecan-pie-bars/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/nonnies-kentucky-derby-pie/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I hope this helps! xx
I followed the directions stated in the recipe and when I pulled out the brownies, they were completely underbaked. Like a warm soup in the pan.
Hi Denise,
So very sorry to hear this! What kind of baking pan did you use? Did you bake for 15 minutes? Did you try adding some time to that? Please let me know how I can help! xx
This is exactly how mine came out also. Like soup.
They’re brownies, so they’re never going to be that bad, but all of the ingredients thrown on top are a bit overwhelming, very sweet, and take forever to bake. You might want to set aside more time than what the recipe states.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for sharing your feedback, sorry to hear this took longer than expected. These are definitely a sweet treat! Let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xx
Are there any vegan substitutes you would suggest?
Hi there,
So sorry, I have not tested this recipe to be vegan, I probably would not recommend that especially with the filling, that would be super tricky without eggs! xx
Really good. Brought them to a card party. Warm they are very gooey. After they cool they are a bit more manageable. Delish! Don’t lose this recipe. Yum
Thanks so much Tracy!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and I appreciate your feedback! xT
My family loved these. They are, of course very sweet so that dark chocolate on top of the brownies helped balance it out.
Hey Suzette,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was a winner, I appreciate you making it and your feedback! xx
These were not bad, but they took almost an hour in the oven before they got even “barely set” like the recipe says, just FYI. Brownies can’t really go wrong but these are a bit too much effort for the final result.
Hey Alicia! Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it! xT
Hello! When does the star anise go into the recipe?
I don’t see star anise as an ingredient listed for the recipe.
Exactly but it’s in the photos
Sorry for the confusion Jaqui, I just used it as decor in the photos, it’s not part of the recipe:)
Hey Ashley,
Sorry for any confusion, there is no star anise in this recipe, I just used it as decor in the photos:) Let me know if you give these brownies a try, I hope you love them! xx
Hi Marcia,
There is no star anise in this recipe, I just used it for decor in the photos:) Sorry for any confusion!! xx
Perfect! Going straight to my Thanksgiving menu, thanks!
Thank you so much! xT
For the toasted pecans it calls for maple… what form? maple syrup, maple sugar, maple extract?
Maple Syrup! xT
Tieghan, you have plenty of comments with less than 4 stars, would you consider updating this recipe to something that works better?
Hi. I’m confused on the squares of chocolate – you bake the brownies then put broken up chocolate pieces on top AFTER it bakes and is cooling? Then pour the pecan filling on top?
Do the Toasted Butter Pecans not call for any butter?
You really tempt me with all your brownies recipes! I adore all of them
Miki x
https://www.littletasteofbeauty.com/
How should I adjust for altitude? You are about 8,800 more feet above sea level compared to me.
To paraphrase her NY Times article, how is she supposed to know? She’s not google.
haha! I saw that article — ouch — that was rough.
Annie, she just made that abundantly clear by giving backwards advice about adjusting for altitude 🙂
Mika, you’ll never get a reply. She doesn’t know. Better off finding another recipe or going to google.
Mika, you know your comment will just end up getting deleted by the HBH staff that are hired to monitor comments. This blog is being handled with kids gloves. Save your time and money and Google a different brownie recipe lol
her recipes are not written for her baking requirements in the mountains just fyi, so follow what it says
Oh bless your heart, rachel.
Hi Mika! I would bake for about 5-10 mins less and see if that helps! xT
Sorry, but this is literally backwards. If Mika is close to sea level, she should be baking for longer than someone at a high altitude (presumably you), not less.