Rich and Gooey Caramel Brownie Pie is every chocolate and caramel lover’s dream baked into one glorious dessert. Imagine a buttery graham cracker crust cradling layers of fudgy brownie and molten caramel—each bite a perfect balance of crunch, goo, and chew. Whether you’re making this for a special occasion or just a well-deserved indulgence, this pie guarantees brownie bliss with every forkful.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Gooey Center: The layered caramel ensures a molten middle without underbaking.
- Easy Crust: A no-fuss graham cracker crust that’s crisp and buttery.
- Fudge Meets Pie: The best of both worlds—brownie texture + pie format.
- Customizable: Top it with sea salt, ice cream, whipped cream, or more caramel.
Ingredients Breakdown
For the Crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Brownie Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
For the Caramel Layer:
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ tsp sea salt (optional but recommended for balance)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Oven:
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9-inch pie dish and set aside.
2. Make the Crust:
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl.
- Press firmly into the pie dish, covering the bottom and sides evenly.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Let it cool while you prepare the filling.
3. Brownie Filling:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugars, eggs, and vanilla.
- Stir in the melted chocolate mixture until glossy.
4. Add Dry Ingredients:
- Sift in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir until just combined—don’t overmix.
5. Layer with Caramel:
- Spread half the brownie batter in the cooled crust.
- Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the batter.
- (Optional: sprinkle sea salt for salted caramel flavor.)
- Gently spread the remaining brownie batter on top.
6. Bake:
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is fudgy.
- A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
7. Cool & Serve:
- Cool for 15–20 minutes before slicing for neater pieces—or dig in warm for lava-like indulgence.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel.
⏱ Time Breakdown
Task | Time |
---|---|
Prep | 15 mins |
Bake | 30 mins |
Cool | 15 mins |
Total Time | ~1 hr |
Serving Ideas
- Classic: Warm slice with vanilla ice cream.
- Elegant: Add a dusting of cocoa or drizzle of ganache.
- Decadent: Top with whipped cream and crushed toffee bits.
Storage Tips
Method | Instructions |
---|---|
Room Temp | Store covered up to 2 days. |
Fridge | Keeps up to 5 days, reheat gently. |
Freezer | Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating. |
Variations
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the caramel layer.
- Peanut Butter Twist: Swirl in ¼ cup peanut butter along with the caramel.
- Double Chocolate: Use dark chocolate chunks instead of chips for richer flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Use a GF graham crust and gluten-free flour blend.
Pro Tips
- For extra fudginess, underbake slightly and let it finish setting outside the oven.
- Want super-clean slices? Chill for 1 hour before cutting and warm individual slices before serving.
- If your caramel sauce is thick, microwave it for 10–15 seconds to make drizzling easier.
FAQs
Can I use boxed brownie mix?
Yes! Just prepare as directed and layer with caramel per instructions.
Can I use a cookie crust instead of graham crackers?
Absolutely—try chocolate wafer or Oreo crumbs for extra decadence.
What kind of caramel works best?
A thick, buttery caramel holds up well in baking. Avoid runny syrups.
Final Bite
Rich and Gooey Caramel Brownie Pie is the ultimate dessert mashup—a buttery graham crust meets a double layer of fudgy brownie and salted caramel. Whether you serve it warm, chilled, or à la mode, one thing’s guaranteed: there won’t be leftovers.
PrintRich and Gooey Caramel Brownie Pie
Ingredients
For the Crust:
-
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
-
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
-
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Brownie Filling:
-
- ½ cup unsalted butter
-
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
-
- ½ cup granulated sugar
-
- ¼ cup brown sugar
-
- 2 large eggs
-
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
-
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
-
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
-
- Pinch of salt
-
- ¼ tsp baking powder
For the Caramel Layer:
-
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
-
- ¼ tsp sea salt (optional but recommended for balance)
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven:
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9-inch pie dish and set aside.
2. Make the Crust:
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl.
- Press firmly into the pie dish, covering the bottom and sides evenly.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Let it cool while you prepare the filling.
3. Brownie Filling:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugars, eggs, and vanilla.
- Stir in the melted chocolate mixture until glossy.
4. Add Dry Ingredients:
- Sift in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir until just combined—don’t overmix.
5. Layer with Caramel:
- Spread half the brownie batter in the cooled crust.
- Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the batter.
- (Optional: sprinkle sea salt for salted caramel flavor.)
- Gently spread the remaining brownie batter on top.
6. Bake:
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is fudgy.
- A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
7. Cool & Serve:
- Cool for 15–20 minutes before slicing for neater pieces—or dig in warm for lava-like indulgence.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel.