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Pecan Pie Brownies

18 Reviews Recipe
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By: Alex Cagan • Updated On February 2, 2021

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A combination of my two favorite desserts: pecan pie and brownies! These pecan pie bars are the perfect fall dessert! They are dairy-free and refined sugar free, perfectly sweet, and will be the highlight of your fall gatherings.

stack of pecan pie brownies

Pecan pie is one of my all time favorite desserts. There’s something about the warm caramelized flavor of the filling topped with a giant scoop of melted vanilla ice cream that just fills me up with happiness.

My love for pecan pie was the inspiration for my healthy pecan pie bars. These pecan pie bars are a healthier, more portable version of pecan pie. They are perfect for your Friendsgiving or a larger family gathering, where serving a pie just won’t work!

So many of you loved my pecan pie bars last year that I decided to put a new spin on them for this year. The result was these pecan pie brownies. They are essentially a combination of my healthy pecan pie bars and my easy paleo brownies.

Maybe it’s my love for all things chocolate and all things pecan pie. But. These pecan pie brownies may be my new favorite Thanksgiving dessert.

side shot of pecan pie brownie

Paleo brownie base

The base of these pecan pie brownies is a fudge-y, chocolate-y paleo brownie, inspired by my easy paleo brownies.

This brownie layer is paleo because it is dairy-free, grain-free/gluten-free, and refined sugar free. The main ingredients of this brownie layer are:

  • Almond flour
  • Coconut sugar
  • Coconut oil
  • Cocoa powder
  • Vanilla
  • Eggs

Even though the brownie base requires an extra step (totally worth it though), it comes together incredibly quickly.

All you have to do is mix the eggs, coconut sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla together in a large bowl. Then, stir together dry ingredients in a separate, smaller bowl (almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt). Add dry to wet and stir!

Pour the batter into an 8×8 baking dish that is coated in oil or parchment paper. Bake at 350F for about 15-18 minutes.

caramelized pecans

Pecan pie filling

The pecan pie filling is even easier to make than the brownie. All it requires is about five minutes and a small saucepan. And it’s also dairy-free and refined sugar free! Win win!

Heat the coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until boiling (about 3-4 minutes). Make sure you stir constantly!

Once the mixture is boiling, continue stirring and let bubble foe one minute, then turn off the heat. Do not cook any longer or the sugar will burn!

Then, stir in the almond milk and pecans.

Once the brownie layer has cooled for about 10 minutes, pour the mixture over the crust and bake for about 20-22 minutes.

Allow the brownies to cool on the counter for 15 minutes and then in the fridge for at least two hours before cutting or serving.

two pecan pie brownies with milk

Serving your pecan pie brownies

I love making these pecan pie brownies they are so easy to serve to a group. Just cut them into squares and let guests grab them when they are ready!

I love to top these pecan pie brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade coconut whipped cream.

They are, of course, delicious on their own!

How to store pecan pie brownies

These pecan pie brownies are best stored in the fridge.

They should stay good in an air tight container for up to five days. But. I doubt they will last that long!

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

healthier pecan pie brownies
stack of pecan pie brownies
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 18 reviews

Pecan Pie Brownies

These pecan pie brownies combine two of my favorite desserts: pecan pie and brownies! They are perfect for your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving gatherings. Just top them with vanilla ice cream or homemade coconut cream! 

Prep: 10 Cook: 40 Total: 50 minutes
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Ingredients

Brownie Layer

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3/4 cups almond flour
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

Pecan Pie Filling:

  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp almond milk
  • 2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and prepare an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or oil.
  2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, coconut sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla.
  3. In a separate small bowl, stir together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
  4. Add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until fully combined.
  5. Pour batter into prepared dish and bake for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Let brownies cool for ten minutes while preparing pecan topping.
  7. In a saucepan, heat coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until boiling (about 3-4 minutes), stirring consistently.
  8. Once boiling, constantly stir and let bubble for one minute and then turn off heat. Cooking longer will result in burnt sugar.
  9. Stir in almond milk and pecans.
  10. Pour mixture over cooled crust and bake in oven for 20-22 minutes.
  11. Let cool on counter for 15 minutes and then in the fridge for at leaset two hours before cutting.
  12. Store in fridge
Author: Erin Antoniak

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Reader Interactions

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Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love seeing what you made!

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  3. Bindu says

    This recipe looks amazing! I am sure you have been asked this and I apologize for repeating.
    1. Can I use butter instead of coconut oil? Are there other swaps for the coconut oil?
    2. Can I use brown sugar instead of the coconut sugar? or what would be a good swap for the coconut sugar?

    Thx! I cant wait to try this recipe!

    Reply

  4. Kristy says

    Absolutely amazing recipe! I made this for Thanksgiving & everyone is requesting I make them for Easter too. Thank you Erin, for creating some of our family favorites!! ❤️

    Reply

  5. Erin Guarnieri says

    OH MY GOSH I can not begin to explain how fantastic these are! Not only are they the picture perfect treat for the holidays, they are also delicious! This recipe will now be part of our holiday traditions and I can’t wait to make it again 🙂

    Reply

  6. Leah W says

    Made these for the Holidays and they are SO good and SO easy to make!! A great sweet treat without all the guilt!

    Reply

  7. Lorelle says

    I’ve been baking recipes from this site for a few months now, all of which turn out delicious. But this recipe takes the cake, so to speak! Everyone loved it, family and neighbors alike! A fan favorite!

    Reply

  8. Danielle says

    I brought these to thanksgiving and even my dad couldn’t tell that these were “healthy” – loved this recipe, especially the pecan pie part. Sooooo yummy

    Reply

  9. Darci says

    These brownies are incredible and so easy to make! The day after the brownies were all gone my husband looked at my daughter and I with a sad face and said, there are no more brownies. Haha We’ll definitely be making them again soon!

    Reply

  10. Tori says

    So easy and incredibly delicious! i love the healthier swaps, makes me feel better about eating the whole pan (lol). i used half cocoa and half cacao and it still worked perfectly!

    Reply

  11. Alexa says

    SO GOOD. Cannot stop eating them & were a total crowd pleaser at party. Tried at room temp and straight out of the fridge & I actually prefer them out of the fridge!!

    Reply

  12. Lily says

    Love this recipe!! I made this over thanksgiving and everyone loved it! They had no idea it was so healthy. Instead of the paleo brownie, I used the pumpkin brownie recipe. Be patience and let it set in the fridge overnight. It’s even better! Only lasted a couple days in our house. MUST TRYYY!!

    Reply

  13. Lauran says

    These are a MUST try/bake! I made these for thanksgiving and everyone wanted to eat them over the pumpkin pie. They are even better the second day after they have been chilled for a while. Thanks for such an amazing recipe, will definitely be keeping this recipe forever!

    Reply

    • Erin says

      Hi Bailey! Yes, you can use a different flour. I haven’t tried it with either of those, so before you bake just be sure to check the ratio because some flours are not a 1:1 ratio. Let me know what flour you use and how it comes out! 

      Reply

    • Erin says

      Hi Dana, yes of course!! Add in whatever nuts you like. Always feel free to make my recipes your own. Let me know what you add and how they come out!

      Reply

    • Erin says

      Hi Dana, you need 2/3 cup cocoa powder for this recipe, but feel free to make it your own if you want to try it with cacao powder and let me know how it comes out!

      Reply

  18. Patricia says

    You say in the Brownie layer instructions to add maple syrup ..but there is no maple syrup listed. If so, how much maple syrup in the Brownie base?
    I started to make these but now I don’t know what to do. Please advise ASAP

    Reply

    • Erin says

      Has been updated! No maple syrup in the brownies. We had copied it from my easy paleo brownie recipe and forgot to remove it – thanks for letting us know!

      Reply

    • Erin says

      Has been updated! No maple syrup in the brownies. We had copied it from my easy paleo brownie recipe and forgot to remove it – thanks for letting us know!

      Reply

  20. Tom says

    I do love me some Pecan Pie Brownies. Only a few ingredients and these puppies are so fudgey and delicious. It’s a good day to be me!

    Reply