It's the holiday season and for me that means enjoying all the desserts at the dessert table. These maple pecan pie brownies are a mash-up of two of my favorite desserts, brownies and pecan pie! These brownies are rich, sweet, and full of decadent holiday flavors and textures. This dessert is easy to throw together and impressive to serve. Don't forget to add a splash of bourbon for even more festive flavor!
In a few words, these maple pecan pie brownies are:
- Sweet
- Fudgy
- Decadent
- Crunchy
- Full of chocolate, maple and pecan flavor. Add a generous pour of whiskey bourbon for even more flavor.
- Semi homemade if using a great box mix brownie.
- A fun twist on the classic pecan pie.
- Perfect for your holiday dessert table. Make sure to check out my Pecan Upside Down Cake for another impressive holiday dessert!
What ingredients do I need to make these decadent pecan brownies?
- A great quality box brownie mix (for semi homemade option)
- for the homemade option:
- 70% chocolate bar
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Instant espresso powder
- Salt
- Dutch process cocoa powder
- All purpose flour
- Maple sugar
- Maple syrup
- Bourbon whiskey (optional)
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Pecans
- Heavy whipping cream (for topping)
From these ingredients you will make the brownie layer and the maple pecan pie filling layer. As a nice complement to the richness of the dessert, dollop a generous scoop of freshly whipped cream.
What baking tools to I need?
- 9" (23cm) springform pan
- or use 9x9 pan
- Parchment paper to line the pan.
- Mixing bowls: One for the brownie layer and one for the pecan pie filling.
- Whisks and flexible spatulas or spoons to mix the brownie batter.
- Oven thermometer : This is an easy way to double check the temperature is correct.
- Digital food thermometer: This is an easy way to check that the filling is baked to the proper temperature. The internal temperature should read 200 F (93 C).
Tips and tricks for the perfect maple pecan pie brownies:
The best substitutes for this recipe
- Boxed brownie mix: Use your favorite homemade brownie mix or follow the one listed in the recipe
- Maple sugar: Use this to keep the pecan pie filling refined sugar free.
- Use light brown sugar as a substitute.
- Pure maple syrup: This keeps the pecan pie filling corn syrup free and refined sugar free.
- Corn syrup would be a natural substitute for the maple syrup in this recipe.
- Bourbon whiskey
- This is more for flavor to the dessert.
- The alcohol burns off completely, leaving only the flavor behind.
- Omit completely if you don't want to use it.
A few tips for perfect maple pecan pie brownies:
- Read through the entire recipe before starting.
- Decide if you want to go the fully homemade dessert route or semi homemade (they're both delicious!).
- Use lightly grease and line the pan with parchment paper.
- Bake the brownies until the top has just set. The brownies will continue baking once the pecan pie filling is added.
- Use room temperature ingredients. This helps the pecan pie filling come together more smoothly.
- Bake the pecan pie brownies until the pecan pie filling is done.
- Signs of doneness are:
- An internal temperature of 200 F (93 C).
- The center gives you just a little jiggle. Similar to the stable but slightly wiggly movement of Jell-O when you give it a gentle shake.
- The edges are stable and set.
- Signs of doneness are:
- Cool the maple pecan pie brownies for 2 hours in the pan.
- BUT after about 30 minutes run a butter knife around the pan to loosen any parts of the filling that may be sticking to the pan.
- Run the knife around the edges of the brownies and pan again around 60 minutes if needed.
- Serve with unsweetened freshly whipped cream. This helps to cut the sweetness a bit and adds a nice textural contrast.
other brownie recipes to try
- Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Espresso Brownies
- Red Wine Brownies
- Fudgy Maple Brownies
- No bake Brownies (vegan)
- Citrus Olive Oil Brownies
- Triple Chocolate Lavender Brownies
- Salted Tahini Swirl Brownies
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Make sure to tag me on instagram @olivesnthyme. For more delicious dessert ideas follow me on pinterest
maple pecan pie brownies
these maple pecan pie brownies are made from a layer of rich chocolate filled brownie topped by a maple syrup sweetened pecan pie filling. for the perfect flavor and texture complement, top this with unsweetened freshly whipped cream.
Equipment
- 9" (23cm) springform pan
- parchment paper
- whisks, flexible spatuals and/or spoons
- oven thermometer
- digital internal food thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 boxed brownie mix such as Ghirardelli, plus all ingredients listed on the box OR use the homemade brownie recipe below
homemade brownie
- 4 oz. (113g) 70% chocolate bar, chopped
- 1/2 c (113g) unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 c (250g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2/3 c (55g) dutch process cocoa powder
- 3/4 c (90g) all purpose flour
maple pecan pie filling
- 3/4 c maple sugar sub with light brown sugar
- 1/2 c (118ml) pure maple syrup
- 2-3 tbsp (30-45ml) bourbon whiskey, optional for flavor
- 4 tbsp (57g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp (10ml) vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 c roughly chopped pecans with a few whole pieces mixed in
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Line a 9" (23cm) springfrom pan with parchment paper along the bottom. Lightly grease the sides. Line with parchment paper if desired. Set aside.
- For box brownies: Prepare the brownies according to the box directions.
- For homemade brownies:In a large heat safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate together until fully melted. Whisk together until fully combined. Whisk in the sugar, espresso and salt until smooth and well combined. Whisk in the eggs until smooth and well combined. Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth and well combined. Stir in the flour until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan.Bake at 350 F (177 C) 20-25 minutes until the top of the brownies have set. Cool in the pan set on a cooling rack.
While the brownies bake, prepare the maple pecan pie filling.
- In a seperate bowl, whisk together the maple sugar, maple syrup, borbon whiskey (if using), melted butter, vanilla extract and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Whisk in the eggs until smooth and well combined.
- Stir in the chopped pecans until all the pieces are fully coated in the filling.
- Pour the maple pecan pie filling on top of the slightly cooled brownie layer.
- Return the pan to the oven to bake at 350 F (177 C) for an additional 25-35 minutes. Signs of doneness are an internal temperature of 200 F and when the center gives you just a little jiggle. Similar to the stable but slightly wiggly movement of Jell-O when you give it a gentle shake. But the edges are stable and set.
- Remove the pan from the oven to cool on a cooling rack for 2 hours before slicing.
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