Easy Maple Brownie Pie

We are exactly one week out from thanksgiving. If you're anything like me, there are a million things to do and exactly one day to get them all done. This easy maple brownie pie uses store buttery bought pie dough with a handful of pantry staples for the homemade brownie filling. It's a simple and decadent dessert that is made for last minute entertaining!

In a few words, this easy brownie pie is:

• Easy
• Semi homemade
• Rich and decadent
• Made with pantry staples.
• Has a flaky, buttery pie crust and fudge like brownie filling.
• Can be refined sugar free (if using maple sugar).
• Tastes wonderful warm or room temperature.
• Is perfect with a dusting of powdered sugar, ice cream or salted maple caramel.
• A great last minute dessert for holiday gathering.

What ingredients are needed to make these brownies?

• Store bought frozen pie dough
  • I like this one from trader joes
• Unsalted butter
• 70% or higher chocolate bar
• Maple sugar
• Instant espresso powder
• Salt
• Eggs
• Dutch process cocoa powder
• All purpose flour

From these ingredients you will make the buttery pie crust and the brownie filling.

To make the suggested toppings you will need:

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla ice cream
•  Maple syrup 
• Unsalted butter
• Heavy whipping cream 
• Salt 

From these ingredients you can top the brownie pie with powdered sugar, ice cream or salted maple caramel sauce.

What baking tools do I need for a great pie?

• 9" (23 cm) pie pan
  • This recipe was developed using a ceramic pie pan.
  • Looking for a pie pan? This is a great guide on the best for 2021
• Rolling pin to help smooth out any cracks in the store bought pie dough and to roll out the pie dough to the correct size for the pan.
• Mixing bowls to make the brownie filling and another to hold the salted maple caramel sauce (if using).
• A small sauce pan to make the salted maple caramel sauce.

Here's how to make the salted maple caramel sauce:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (237ml) maple syrup 
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (59ml) heavy whipping cream 
• 1/2 tsp salt

Steps:

• Pour the maple syrup into a small sauce pot. Bring the syrup to a boil until the temperature reaches 225-230 F (107-110 C) or right under the "soft boil" temperature. 
• Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the butter until fully combined. Stir in the cream and salt until fully combined. Cool 5-10 minutes in the pot. Pour into a heat proof container until fully cooled to room temperature. 
• Chill in the fridge to fully set. 
• The sauce keeps well in an airtight container stored in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Do I need to par-bake the pie crust?

• Yes, if you want a toasty brown pie bottom.
  • To do this, follow the directions on the pie dough package.
  • Bake only for 10 minutes or until very lightly golden.
  • The pie crust will not shrink down.
• No, if you want a lighter pie crust on the bottom:
  • The pie crust will still have a nice structure.
  • Tt will not bake to a toasty bottom in the time it takes to bake the brownies.
  • The crust may shrink down a little as it bakes.
  • This recipe was developed using this method.

Tips and tricks for the recipe:

The best substitutes for this recipe:

• Store bought pie dough: Use any homemade pie dough recipe you love!
• Homemade brownie mix: Use your favorite box mix for an even easier dessert brownie pie.
• Maple sugar : Use this to keep the brownie filling refined sugar free and as a substitue for light brown sugar.

A few tips for perfect easy maple brownie pie:

• Read through the entire recipe before starting. 
  • Decide if you want to go the semi homemade dessert route or if you want the fully store bought crust and brownie mix.
• Follow the directions on the pie crust package for thawing instructions.
• Lightly flour the work surface to roll the dough out to 11" at 1/8" thickness.
• If the dough becomes too warm to work with, place it back in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
• Once the dough is in the pan, chill in the fridge until the brownie filling is ready.
• For the easiest brownie filling, use the microwave to warm the butter and chocolate. Keep the same bowl to mix in the remaining ingredients.
• Bake the brownie pie until the brownie filling has only a few moist crumbs when a tooth pick is inserted into the brownie filling.
• Top with powdered sugar for a quick and beautiful finish.
  • Top with ice cream for a cream cold/hot contrast or a homemade maple caramel sauce for even more maple sweetness.

other pie and tart recipes to try!

• Cinnamon Pie
• Maple pecan pie brownies
• Cranberry pear crumble tart
• Chocolate maple bourbon pecan tart
• Rose water strawberry chocolate tart
• Bergamot lemon earl grey tart
• Sumac chocolate ganache tart
• Cranberry curd gingersnap tart

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