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    Home » Recipes » Cookies and Squares

    Pecan Pie Brownies

    Published: Oct 7, 2022 Modified: October 7, 2022 by Nina

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    Two brownies stacked on a white plate. Three chocolate chips sit in front of the brownies. More brownies are in the back on a wire rack.

    These pecan pie brownies have a fudgy chocolate brownie base, and a gooey pecan pie topping. A simple, easy dessert that is great all year, but is especially perfect for the holidays!

    Two brownies stacked on a white plate.  The top brownie has a bite out of it.  Three chocolate chips sit in front of the brownies. More brownies are in the back on a wire rack.
    Jump straight to the recipe!
    • 🍂A brownie with an autumn twist
    • 🥘Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • ✔️Expert Tips
    • 💭FAQs
    • 🔖Related recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    🍂A brownie with an autumn twist

    I wanted to make brownies and put a holiday flair on them. What says the says the holidays like pecan pie! I took my brownie recipe and halved it so this could fit in a 9-inch square pan. These brownies are so quick to make because they are made in one bowl! Yes!

    These brownies have no rising ingredients, so they are really fudgy. They are also super chocolatey - they have cocoa powder and chocolate chips in them.

    The pecan pie topping is quick to pull together. All the ingredients, expect the pecans, get heated together over medium heat. Pour it over the brownies, add the pecans, and bake for a little longer. After the brownies fully cool (they need time to set), cut them in small squares, and serve.

    🥘Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make pecan pie brownies.

    Ingredient notes

    • Pecans - Use pre chopped pecan pieces to save time.
    • Chocolate chips - I used a mixture of milk and semi-sweet chocolate because I had some to use up. Either all semi-sweet or milk-chocolate will work.
    • Corn syrup - Either light or dark corn syrup will work in this recipe.
    • Unsalted butter - If you use salted butter, omit the extra salt in this recipe.

    🔪Instructions

    Brownies

    To make the brownies, combine melted butter, vegetable oil and both sugars in a large bowl. Whisk well and then add in eggs and vanilla. Beat until lightened in colour.

    Add in salt, flour and cocoa powder. Gently stir to combine. Add chocolate chips and stir until just combined.

    Pecan pie brownie recipe steps.

    Pour batter into prepared pan and level it. Bake for 25-28 minutes at 350°F. The toothpick test will not work with these brownies, because they are supposed to be fudgy. Take brownies out the oven when they look "set" and they are not getting too brown around the edges. Cool brownies on a wire rack while you make the topping.

    Pecan Pie Topping

    To make the topping, combine sugars, corn syrup, egg, butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter has melted and the mixture has thickened slightly. It needs to be pourable.

    Pecan pie recipe steps 2.

    Remove from heat and add in half the pecans. Stir to combine and then set it aside to cool slightly. Pour the topping evenly over the top of the brownies. Add the remaining pecans to the top, making sure pecans are well spread out.

    Return brownies back to the oven and bake for another 15-18 minutes. The topping should be set and only a little jiggly.

    Fully cool brownies in their pan on a wire rack. Brownies need to be fully cooled because they are very fudgy and need to set. Brownies can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container, or 5 days in the refrigerator.

    For more step-by-step photos and instructions, see the web story for pecan pie brownies!

    Brownies on a wire rack.  The ones in the background are blurred.

    ✔️Expert Tips

    • Either milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips will work with this recipe.
    • Use pre chopped pecan pieces to save time. Whole pecans are too large for the little squares, so they would have to be chopped in half.
    • The brownies need to cool slightly and set before the topping can go on. Use that time to make the topping.
    • The pecan pie topping needs to cool slightly. We can't add a piping hot topping over a hot brownie or it will be brownie soup. Speed up the cooling process by putting the topping in the freezer for a bit.
    • Let the brownies cool completely before slicing into them. They are very loose when they come out of the oven, and need to firm up.

    💭FAQs

    What makes a brownie fudgy?

    To make a brownie really fudgy - don't add leavening ingredients. Cakey brownies have baking powder in them. Also, fudgy brownies have a higher fat to flour ratio.

    Is it better to use butter or oil for brownies?

    For fudgy brownies, oil or melted butter works, but if you want a cakey brownie, softened butter is best. The butter helps rise the batter.

    Can I freeze these brownies?

    Store brownies in a freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

    Can I make this in a 9x13" pan?

    Yes, use this brownie recipe to fit that pan size, and double the topping ingredients.

    Two brownies stacked on a white plate.  Three chocolate chips sit in front of the brownies.  More brownies are in the back on a wire rack.

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    Let's Bake Together!

    Step-by-step instructions are all written in my recipe below. If you liked it, please rate me 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!

    If you tried this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram. You can also find me on Facebook and Pinterest.

    📋 Recipe

    Two brownies stacked on a white plate. The top brownie has a bite out of it. Three chocolate chips sit in front of the brownies. More brownies are in the back on a wire rack.

    Pecan Pie Brownies

    Nina
    These pecan pie brownies have a fudgy chocolate brownie base, and a gooey pecan pie topping. A simple, easy dessert that is great all year, but is especially perfect for the holidays!
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 3 hrs 15 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine North American
    Servings 16 servings
    Calories 279 kcal

    Equipment

    • one 9x9 inch square baking pan

    Ingredients
     
     

    Brownies

    • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup all purpose flour
    • ½ cup cocoa powder
    • ½ cup chocolate chips milk or semi-sweet chocolate

    Pecan Pie Topping

    • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 3 tablespoons corn syrup
    • 1 large egg
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup pecan halves

    Instructions
     

    Brownies

    • Preheat oven to 350° (177°C). Line a 9x9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl, combine melted butter, vegetable oil and both sugars. Whisk well and then add in eggs and vanilla. Beat until lightened in colour.
    • Add in salt, flour and cocoa powder. Gently stir to combine. Add chocolate chips and stir until just combined.
    • Pour batter into prepared pan and level it. Bake for 25-28 minutes. Toothpick test will not work with these brownies, because they are supposed to be fudgy. Take brownies out the oven when they look "set" and they are not getting too brown around the edges.
    • Cool brownies on a wire rack while you make the topping.

    Pecan Pie Topping

    • Combine sugars, corn syrup, egg, butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter has melted and the mixture has thickened slightly. It needs to be pourable.
    • Remove from heat and add in half the pecans. Stir to combine and then set it aside to cool slightly. To speed up cooling process, pour mixture into a clean bowl, cover, and place it in the freezer. Stir at 5 minutes and remove after another 5 minutes. Stir again.
    • Pour the topping evenly over the top of the brownies. Add the remaining pecans to the top, making sure pecans are well spread out. Return brownies back to the oven and bake for another 15-18 minutes. The topping should be set and only a little jiggly.
    • Fully cool brownies in their pan on a wire rack. Brownies need to be fully cooled because they are very fudgy and need to set. Brownies can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container, or 5 days in the refrigerator.

    Notes

      • Either milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips will work with this recipe.
      • Use pre chopped pecan pieces to save time. Whole pecans are too large for the little squares, so they would have to be chopped in half.
      • The brownies need to cool slightly and set before the topping can go on. Use that time to make the topping.
      • The pecan pie topping needs to cool slightly. We can't add a piping hot topping over a hot brownie or it will be brownie soup. Speed up the cooling process by putting the topping in the freezer for a bit.
      • Let the brownies cool completely before slicing into them. They are very loose when they come out of the oven, and need to firm up.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes

    Nutrition

    Serving: 16gCalories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 117mgFiber: 2gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 318IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram!Mention @ninakneadstobake or tag #ninakneadstobake!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elle T

      December 13, 2022 at 11:16 pm

      I tried this recipe with a boxed brownie mix and it turned out great. Had people wanting the recipe. However once I take the time I will definitely bake the brownies from scratch.

      Reply
      • Nina

        December 14, 2022 at 2:04 pm

        Hi Elle! Using a boxed mix is great for idea for anyone short on time. I'm so glad it was a hit!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Nina! I am a self-taught baker and have a love for baking and trying new techniques. Here you will find easy step-by-step sweet and savoury recipes, with lots of tips.

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