If you have a serious sweet tooth and love the rich goodness of chocolate mixed with buttery caramel, then you are absolutely going to adore this Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe. This luscious dessert combines a fudgy brownie base with a luscious caramel layer, all nestled in a flaky pie crust, creating a spectacular treat that’s perfect for sharing (or not!). The harmony of flavors and textures is incredible, from the crackly edges of the brownie to the gooey caramel swirl, making this pie a true crowd-pleaser and an irresistible finish to any meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe is simple but essential. Each one plays a vital role in building the perfect balance of decadent flavor, silky texture, and rich color that makes this pie such a standout.
- Pre-made pie shell or pie dough: Provides a crisp and buttery base that holds all the delicious layers together.
- Caramel bits or candies (11 ounces): Melts into a smooth and richly flavored caramel that adds a sweet gooey center.
- Heavy cream (1/4 cup): Helps to soften the caramel and create that irresistibly creamy texture.
- Unsalted butter, melted (3/4 cup): Adds richness and moisture while making the brownie tender and fudgy.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Sweetens the batter and balances the bitter cocoa flavor.
- Light brown sugar (1/2 cup): Introduces subtle molasses notes that deepen the complexity of the brownies.
- Eggs (2): Bind the ingredients and give structure for a perfectly set pie.
- All-purpose flour (3/4 cup): Provides just enough structure without making the brownies cakey.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/2 cup): The star chocolate flavor that makes these brownies satisfyingly rich.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and rounds out the flavor profile perfectly.
How to Make Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pie Shell
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you’re using pie dough instead of a pre-made shell, roll it out evenly and carefully place it into your pie pan to form the perfect foundation for your masterpiece.
Step 2: Create the Caramel Layer
Combine the caramel bits and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the mixture for 60 seconds, then stir it to help it melt evenly. Keep heating in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until everything is fully melted into a creamy caramel. Pop the bowl into the fridge for about 5 minutes to let it cool down slightly—this helps the caramel hold its shape better in the pie.
Step 3: Mix the Brownie Batter
In a large mixing bowl, blend your melted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to combine for about a minute until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Then, add the eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix everything well, scraping the bowl down to ensure no lumps remain.
Step 4: Add the Flour
Fold in the all-purpose flour gently until it’s just combined. You want a thick, fudgy batter—overmixing can make the brownies tough! Give the bowl one last scrape to make sure the batter is uniform.
Step 5: Assemble the Pie
Spread half of the brownie batter evenly over the prepared pie crust. Then, pour most of your cooled caramel over this layer, leaving a few tablespoons aside for drizzling later. Finally, spoon the remaining brownie batter on top of the caramel and gently spread it with a spatula or the back of a spoon. It’s perfectly fine if the layers swirl a little—the mix of textures will be heavenly.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pop your pie into the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Allow the pie to cool completely so the layers set beautifully.
Step 7: Add the Finishing Touch
Once cooled, drizzle the reserved caramel over the top of the pie, and if you’d like, sprinkle a pinch of salt to offset the sweetness and enhance all the flavors further.
How to Serve Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the presentation and taste, consider topping your Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A light dusting of cocoa powder or flaky sea salt turns every slice into a stunning dessert sensation.
Side Dishes
This pie is rich enough to be enjoyed on its own, but if you want to create a full dessert experience, serve it alongside fresh berries or a simple fruit compote. The tartness of the fruit cuts through the sweetness of the pie beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, bake individual mini pies or turn the batter and caramel into bars instead. You can even warm up slices and serve them with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Simply cover your pie loosely with plastic wrap or foil and keep it at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate it to extend freshness for up to five days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers can be even better.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe later, wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil before freezing. It keeps well for up to two months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To warm up a slice, place it in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked warmth and gooey texture without drying out the pie.
FAQs
Can I make the caramel from scratch instead of using caramel bits?
Absolutely! Homemade caramel adds an extra layer of flavor and freshness. Just make sure to cool it before layering and adjust the cream quantity if needed to maintain the right consistency.
What if I don’t have a pie crust? Can I make this without one?
You can bake this brownie-caramel mixture as a standalone brownie in a square pan, but the crust adds a wonderful textural contrast that really makes the pie special.
Is it okay to use bittersweet or dark chocolate instead of cocoa powder?
For this particular Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe, cocoa powder delivers the ideal texture and concentrated chocolate flavor. Using melted chocolate would change the batter’s consistency, so it’s best to stick to cocoa powder here.
Can I double the recipe to make a larger pie?
Yes, you can double the ingredients and use a larger pie dish or even create two smaller pies. Just make sure to adjust baking time accordingly, testing for doneness with a toothpick.
What’s the best way to prevent the pie crust from getting soggy?
Pre-baking your pie crust for a few minutes before adding the filling can help. You can also brush the crust lightly with melted chocolate or an egg wash to create a moisture barrier.
Final Thoughts
This Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe is truly one of those desserts that brings joy with every bite. It’s simple enough to make on a weeknight but impressive enough to serve at your next gathering. Trust me, once you try this magical combination of caramel and brownies in a flaky pie shell, it’ll become a cherished go-to dessert for years to come. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to this slice of heaven—you won’t regret it!
Print
Caramel Brownie Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in the ultimate Craving Caramel Brownie Pie, a decadent dessert featuring a buttery pie crust filled with rich brownie layers and luscious gooey caramel. This easy-to-make pie combines the fudgy texture of brownies with the smooth sweetness of caramel for a crowd-pleasing treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 pre-made pie shell or pie dough
Caramel Layer
- 11 ounces caramel bits or candies (e.g., Kraft baking caramels)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Brownie Batter
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pie.
- Prepare Pie Crust: If using pie dough instead of a pre-made shell, roll it out evenly and place it in your pie pan, pressing down gently on the sides.
- Melt Caramel: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine caramel bits and heavy cream. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and continue heating in 30-second increments, stirring in between until completely melted. Refrigerate for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
- Mix Sugars and Butter: In a large bowl, mix melted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar using a hand or stand mixer for about 1 minute until smooth and combined.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Incorporate the eggs, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt into the sugar mixture. Mix well, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl for even blending.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and mix just until combined, scraping down the bowl again to ensure everything is fully integrated.
- Layer Brownie Batter: Spread half of the brownie batter evenly over the prepared pie crust, creating the first layer.
- Add Caramel Layer: Reserve a few tablespoons of the melted caramel for topping. Pour the remaining caramel evenly over the brownie batter layer.
- Top with Remaining Brownie Batter: Spoon the remaining brownie batter over the caramel layer as evenly as possible, allowing some blending for a marbled effect.
- Even Out Layers: Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread and cover the caramel layer with brownie batter, ensuring the caramel is mostly covered.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean indicating doneness.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow the pie to cool completely before drizzling the reserved caramel over the top. Optionally, sprinkle with a pinch of salt to enhance the caramel flavor before serving.
Notes
- Using a pre-made pie shell saves time but homemade pie dough can be used for a more rustic taste.
- Microwaving caramel bits in increments helps prevent burning and ensures smooth melting.
- Scraping down the bowl during mixing ensures even distribution of ingredients.
- Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so start checking around 50 minutes.
- Allow the pie to cool fully to set the layers and make slicing easier.
- Sprinkling a little sea salt on top balances the sweetness of the caramel.
