Pecan Pie Brownies

I absolutely love pecan pie, so adding that lovely sticky pecan topping to brownies was always going to be a winner for me. These Pecan Pie Brownies are rich, chocolatey, gooey and just really, really good.

They’re surprisingly easy to make too. I’ve used a box of brownie mix for the base because there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a shortcut, especially when you’re making lots of food around Thanksgiving or Christmas. Then you just make the pecan topping while the brownies are in the oven.

I think these would be lovely for Thanksgiving, but they’d work just as well for Christmas or any fall get-together really. They’re quite rich, so you can cut them into smaller squares if you’re feeding a crowd, although nobody is going to complain about getting a big one!

Equipment

• Baking pan, using the size recommended on your brownie mix
• Medium saucepan
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

• 1 (16 oz) box of brownie mix – Use your favorite brownie mix here. I like a nice fudgy one for these.

• Ingredients called for on the brownie mix box – This will usually be things like eggs, oil, and water, but just check your particular box and use whatever it calls for.

• 1/2 cup butter – This makes the pecan topping lovely and rich and helps give it that gooey pecan pie texture.

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar – Brown sugar gives the topping that lovely caramel-like sweetness.

• 1/4 cup light corn syrup – This helps make the pecan layer sticky and gooey, just like you want from a pecan pie.

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch – Just a little to help thicken the topping so it sets nicely on top of the brownies.

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon – You don’t need loads, but it adds a little warmth that works really well with the pecans and brown sugar.

• 1/4 teaspoon salt – A little salt helps balance all that sweetness.

• 1 1/4 cups pecan halves – The star of the topping! I like using pecan halves so you get plenty of that lovely crunch in every brownie.

Recipe Instructions

Full measurements and cooking times can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Prepare the brownie batter. Preheat your oven according to the directions on the brownie mix box. Make the brownie batter using the ingredients called for on the package, then spread it evenly into the recommended baking pan.

Step 2: Bake the brownies. Bake according to the package directions. While the brownies are in the oven, you can get started on the pecan pie topping. Add the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.

Step 3: Finish the pecan topping. Stir in the cornstarch until everything is well combined. Let the mixture come to a gentle boil, then take the saucepan off the heat. Add the salt, cinnamon, and pecans and stir until all of the pecans are nicely coated.

Step 4: Add the topping. When the brownies have finished baking, take them out of the oven and reduce the temperature to 325°F. Spoon the pecan mixture over the brownies and gently spread it out so the whole top is covered.

Step 5: Bake again. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes. The pecan topping should be bubbling and starting to set when it’s ready.

Step 6: Cool and slice. This is the bit where you need a little patience! Let the brownies cool completely before cutting them so that lovely gooey pecan topping has time to firm up. Cut into 9 big brownies or smaller squares if you prefer, then serve.

What to Serve with Pecan Pie Brownies

These brownies are pretty rich and indulgent on their own, so they really don’t need much with them. That said, if you’re serving them as a proper dessert rather than just grabbing one with a coffee, there are a few things that go really well with them.

• Vanilla ice cream – Probably my favorite! It’s especially good if the brownie is still just slightly warm.
• Whipped cream – A little whipped cream is lovely with all that rich chocolate and gooey pecan topping.
• Fresh berries – Strawberries or raspberries add a bit of freshness and help balance out the sweetness.
• Caramel sauce – If you’re going all out, a little drizzle of caramel sauce over the top is SO good.
• Coffee – Sometimes you really don’t need anything more than a brownie and a hot cup of coffee.
• Hot chocolate – Perfect if you’re making these around Christmas and want something really cozy.

Storing

If you have any Pecan Pie Brownies left, pop them into an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for around 3 days. I’d make sure they’re completely cool before you put them away though, otherwise you can end up with condensation in the container and nobody wants a soggy brownie!

You can also keep them in the refrigerator if you prefer, especially if your kitchen is quite warm. They’ll keep for around 5 days in there, but I’d let them come back to room temperature before eating because I think the texture is much nicer that way. You can even warm one very slightly before serving if you want that lovely gooey brownie texture again.

Variations & Substitutions

There’s really not too much you need to change with these Pecan Pie Brownies, but there are a few easy little swaps you can make depending on what you have in the cupboard or just what you fancy.

• Try a different brownie mix – I love a fudgy brownie for these, but use whichever boxed brownie mix you normally buy. A dark chocolate brownie mix would be really good too.

• Add chocolate chips – If there’s no such thing as too much chocolate in your house, throw some chocolate chips into the brownie batter before baking.

• Chop the pecans – I like the look and crunch of pecan halves, but you can roughly chop them if you’d rather have smaller pieces throughout the topping.

• Add a little vanilla – A splash of vanilla extract in the pecan mixture would work really nicely with the brown sugar and cinnamon.

• Leave out the cinnamon – I love that little bit of warmth it adds, especially around the holidays, but you can leave it out if cinnamon isn’t your thing.

• Add a little extra salt – A small sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the top would be lovely if you like that sweet and salty combination.

FAQs

Can I use a boxed brownie mix for Pecan Pie Brownies?

Yes! That’s exactly what I use for this recipe. It makes these so much quicker and easier, and you can use whichever brownie mix you usually buy. Just prepare and bake it according to the directions on the box.

How do I know when Pecan Pie Brownies are done?

The brownies get their initial bake according to the package directions, then they go back into the oven with the pecan topping for another 15 minutes at 325°F. The topping should be bubbling and starting to set when you take them out.

Why do Pecan Pie Brownies need to cool before cutting?

I know it’s tempting to cut straight into them, but they really do need time to cool! The pecan pie topping will still be very soft when it first comes out of the oven. Letting the brownies cool completely gives the topping time to firm up and makes them much easier to slice.

Can I make Pecan Pie Brownies ahead of time?

Yes, and they’re actually a really handy dessert to make ahead for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Make them the day before, let them cool completely, then keep them in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.

Do Pecan Pie Brownies need to be refrigerated?

They can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for around 3 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm or you want to keep them a little longer, you can store them in the refrigerator for around 5 days.

Can I use chopped pecans instead of pecan halves?

Absolutely. Pecan halves give you those lovely big pieces of pecan across the top, but roughly chopped pecans will work just as well if that’s what you have.

Are Pecan Pie Brownies good for Thanksgiving?

Definitely! Pecan pie is such a classic Thanksgiving dessert, so these are a fun alternative if you fancy making something a little different. They’re also easy to cut into smaller squares if you’re feeding a crowd or putting together a Thanksgiving dessert table.

Can I freeze Pecan Pie Brownies?

Yes. Once the brownies have completely cooled, cut them into squares and store them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months, then let them thaw at room temperature before serving.