Meet your new dessert obsession: Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie. Imagine the best of both worlds, where a gooey brownie meets a buttery pie crust, all with a generous ribbon of luscious caramel running through the center. Each bite surprises you with molten chocolate, a hint of salt, and that unmistakable, nostalgic sweetness of caramel. Whether it’s a holiday, a birthday, or a Tuesday that simply needs rescuing, this pie is guaranteed to bring big smiles and requests for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s truly amazing how just a handful of humble ingredients can deliver such dramatic, bakery-level results. From the rich cocoa to the swirl of caramel, every component in this Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie plays a stellar role in hitting that perfect sweet spot—no complicated techniques, just magic in your mixing bowl.
- Pie Crust (9-inch, homemade or store-bought): The crispy, golden stage for all that fudgy filling. Use what you love—a homemade crust adds flair, but a good-quality store-bought shell makes things super easy.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup): Melted butter keeps the brownie layer ultra-moist and rich, ensuring each bite has a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the brownie base and helps create that signature crinkly top.
- Large Eggs (2): Eggs bind everything together, lending structure and a little lift to the brownie filling.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the caramel’s flavor and deepens the chocolate notes.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1/3 cup): Brings an intense, pure chocolate taste—be sure to use a good-quality cocoa for the best flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup): Just enough to hold the pie together without making it cakey.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and sharpens every flavor.
- Baking Powder (1/4 teaspoon): A pinch gives the brownies their signature tender crumb—don’t skip it!
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (1 cup): Adds pockets of melty chocolate throughout every slice.
- Caramel Sauce (1 cup, plus extra for drizzling): The dreamy, gooey layer that makes this pie pure decadence.
- Sea Salt (1/4 teaspoon, optional): A sprinkle on top transforms the pie into an irresistible salted caramel treat.
- Nonstick Cooking Spray: For prepping your pie dish and making sure every slice comes out cleanly.
How to Make Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pie Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly spritz your 9-inch pie dish with nonstick cooking spray. Press your prepared pie crust into the dish, crimping the edges if you’re feeling fancy. This small effort gives those magical pie slices that bakery-style photo finish!
Step 2: Make the Brownie Batter
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter until it’s fully liquid and smells amazing. Remove from heat, then stir in the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. The warmth of the pan starts to dissolve the sugar for that coveted glossy crust. Next, add the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir just until the mixture is fully blended and no dry streaks remain. Fold in the chocolate chips for that double-chocolate hit.
Step 3: Create Brownie-Caramel Layers
Spread half of the brownie batter evenly into your pie crust, using a spatula for a smooth layer. Then, pour the caramel sauce right over the surface—no need for perfection, just try to cover most of the batter so you’ll get gooey caramel in every bite. Dollop the remaining brownie batter on top, carefully spreading to cover the caramel as much as possible. If some caramel peeks through, that’s a delicious bonus!
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt if you’re embracing the salted caramel life. Slide your pie dish gently onto the center rack and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’re looking for a set center and a toothpick inserted near the edge to come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs attached. Don’t overbake—remember that the middle will set up as it cools.
Step 5: Cool and Finish
Let the pie cool in the dish for at least 1 hour before slicing. This is the ultimate exercise in patience, but it’s everything if you want those distinctive layers (and not rivers of caramel everywhere). Right before serving, drizzle with extra caramel sauce for a dramatic, bakery-style touch. The result: a Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie that looks stunning and tastes out-of-this-world.
How to Serve Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie
Garnishes
Emphasize the pie’s opulence by finishing with a flourish—a big drizzle of caramel sauce, a dusting of cocoa powder, or a scatter of flaky sea salt to amp up the sweet-salty balance. For special occasions, add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream right on top. The creamy, cold ice cream alongside the warm, gooey pie creates swoon-worthy contrast in every forkful.
Side Dishes
Since Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie is, undeniably, a showstopper all on its own, keep side dishes simple. A cold glass of milk, hot espresso, or a mug of strong tea pairs beautifully with those decadent flavors. If you’re hosting a dessert buffet, some fresh berries or sliced bananas add a refreshing, fruity note and balance out all that rich chocolate and caramel.
Creative Ways to Present
Get fancy: serve petite slices on individual plates with artistic swooshes of extra caramel and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings. For parties, cut your pie into bite-sized bars and place them on a tiered tray for easy nibbling. You can even layer chopped slices in mini parfait glasses with ice cream, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle—Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie becomes stunning trifles, no effort required!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, cover the pie tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, pop it in the fridge, where it’ll keep beautifully for up to 5 days. The flavors magically deepen as it sits, making “leftover” slices almost better!
Freezing
Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie freezes like a dream. Simply let it cool completely after baking, then wrap the pie (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving—you can even warm slices in the oven for fresh-baked appeal.
Reheating
To reheat, place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and microwave in 15-second intervals until just warmed through. For a crisper crust and gooier center, reheat slices in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. Always add a fresh drizzle of caramel sauce once it’s warmed!
FAQs
Can I use a homemade crust for Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie?
Absolutely! A homemade crust adds a lovely personal touch, but if you’re short on time, a high-quality store-bought crust works perfectly. What matters most is that buttery, crisp base beneath the gooey layers.
Can I make Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour and check your pie crust is gluten-free. The result will be just as fudgy and indulgent.
What kind of caramel sauce should I use?
Use the thick, pourable kind (either homemade or store-bought), and feel free to opt for salted caramel if you love a sweet-salty contrast. Avoid the overly runny ice cream toppings—they can make the pie too gooey.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Of course! Walnuts, pecans, even a swirl of peanut butter or espresso chips would be delicious. Just fold them in gently with the chocolate chips and enjoy your custom twist.
How do I know when Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie is done baking?
Check that the center is set and no longer jiggles, and insert a toothpick near the edge—it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not raw batter. The pie will finish setting as it cools, so don’t overbake for the fudgiest texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dessert that stops the show and starts conversations, Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie truly delivers. It’s a crowd-pleaser, a chocolate-lover’s dream, and just the right amount of over-the-top. Treat yourself (and your favorite people) to a slice—you’ll be coming back for more!
Print
Decadent Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and decadent combination of chocolate brownie and gooey caramel with this delightful Caramel Brownie Pie recipe. A perfect treat for any chocolate lover!
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch prepared pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray
Pie Crust:
Brownie Batter:
Caramel Layer:
Additional:
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9-inch pie dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Press the pie crust into the dish and set aside.
- Make Brownie Batter: Melt butter in a saucepan, then stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder, and fold in chocolate chips.
- Layer Batter: Spread half of the brownie batter in the crust, pour caramel sauce over it, and top with remaining batter. Sprinkle sea salt if desired.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until set. Cool for 1 hour before serving. Drizzle with extra caramel.
Notes
- Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to prevent caramel from running.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- For a salted caramel version, use salted caramel sauce and sea salt on top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
