The Ultimate Gooey Brownie Pie: A Fudgy, Crackly, and Irresistible Chocolate Dessert
Indulge in the decadent Gooey Brownie Pie – a rich, chocolatey brownie with a signature crackly top, baked to perfection in a pie crust, and crowned with luscious hot fudge. This easy-to-make dessert is an absolute dream for any chocolate lover.
Brownies hold a special place in my heart, easily ranking as one of my all-time favorite desserts. Whether they’re extravagant creations like these Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies, or timeless classics such as my Easy Homemade Brownies, I’m always ready for a chocolatey treat! My blog, Dinners, Dishes and Desserts, boasts over 30 brownie recipes, ensuring there’s a perfect option for every craving and occasion. But sometimes, you need something truly special, something that combines the best of a fudgy brownie with the elegance of a pie. That’s where this incredible Gooey Brownie Pie comes in.
I distinctly remember the moment I first saw this recipe – a picture so tempting, I knew I had to recreate it. While the exact source, perhaps a shared post on Facebook, escapes me, one thing I’m certain of is Ina Garten’s genius in the kitchen. Her Outrageous Brownies are legendary, so I had no doubt that this Gooey Brownie Pie, inspired by her delightful creations, would be equally magnificent. It delivers an unparalleled chocolate experience, turning a simple brownie into an impressive dessert centerpiece.
Why This Gooey Brownie Pie is a Must-Try
What makes this brownie pie stand out from the crowd? It’s more than just a brownie baked in a pie shape. This recipe is specifically designed to maximize the “gooey” factor while achieving that coveted, delicate crackly top that signals a truly well-made brownie. The careful balance of ingredients results in a dessert that’s intensely fudgy on the inside, almost like a molten lava cake in pie form, yet firm enough to slice and serve with ease. It’s a rich, deep chocolate experience that satisfies the most intense cravings and impresses guests with its elegant presentation and irresistible texture.
Key Ingredients for Your Fudgy Brownie Pie
Creating the perfect Gooey Brownie Pie relies on a few simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to achieve that ideal fudgy texture and delicious chocolate flavor:
- Butter: Essential for richness and moisture. Using good quality butter will enhance the overall flavor profile of your brownie pie.
- Chocolate Chips: The star of the show! We use a generous amount of semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided for melting and folding into the batter, ensuring pockets of melted chocolate in every bite. Opt for a brand you love for the best flavor.
- Eggs: Provide structure and contribute to the fudgy texture and crackly top. Using room temperature eggs can help them incorporate more smoothly into the batter.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps create that iconic shiny, crackly crust on top of the brownie.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor, adding depth and warmth to the dessert. Don’t skip this!
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough to bind the ingredients without making the brownie cakey. The goal here is fudginess, not a fluffy cake.
- Baking Powder: A small amount helps the brownie pie puff up slightly and contribute to its tender crumb, preventing it from being too dense.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and intensifying the chocolate notes. It truly makes the chocolate taste “more chocolatey.”
Irresistible Brownie Pie Toppings
While traditional brownies often benefit from a generous layer of Chocolate Frosting – a delicious choice from my childhood – this Gooey Brownie Pie is so incredibly rich and satisfying on its own that it truly doesn’t need much. The depth of chocolate flavor and the luxurious, gooey texture are perfectly complemented by just a drizzle of something extra special.
My go-to topping for this fudgy creation is a warm, silky Hot Fudge Sauce. You can absolutely opt for your favorite store-bought hot fudge for convenience, and it will still be delicious. However, I highly recommend trying my homemade hot fudge recipe; it comes together in just minutes and is unbelievably rich, decadent, and worth the tiny bit of extra effort. The warm fudge melting into the cool brownie pie creates a harmonious contrast that is simply divine. For an even more indulgent experience, consider serving slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. A sprinkle of sea salt can also beautifully enhance the chocolate flavor.
How to Make the Perfect Gooey Brownie Pie: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this Gooey Brownie Pie shares many similarities with preparing traditional brownies, but a few subtle adjustments in ratios and technique are key to achieving its signature extra-fudgy interior and beautiful crackly top. Follow these steps for a truly perfect dessert:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Properly grease your chosen baking pan – a pie plate or, ideally, a 9-inch springform pan. Greasing prevents sticking and ensures your beautiful brownie pie releases easily.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a heat-safe bowl, combine the butter with 2 cups of the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Gently melt them together until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy. This can be done using a double boiler or carefully in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds to prevent burning. Once melted, let this rich chocolate mixture cool slightly. It’s crucial that it’s not too hot when you add it to the eggs, as excessive heat could scramble them.
- Whip Eggs, Sugar, and Vanilla: In a separate large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat them on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes. This step is vital for incorporating air, which helps create that desirable light and fluffy texture, and contributes significantly to the formation of the crackly top. You’ll notice the mixture becoming much lighter in color and increasing in volume.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Gently pour the slightly cooled chocolate and butter mixture into the whipped egg mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The goal is to integrate everything without deflating the air you’ve just whipped in.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients and Remaining Chocolate: Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Fold them in carefully until just combined. Overmixing at this stage can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, cakey brownie instead of a fudgy one. Finally, stir in the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips. These extra chips will melt into delicious pockets of chocolate as the pie bakes, adding another layer of indulgence.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the luscious brownie batter into your prepared pan. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. The brownie pie will puff up beautifully as it bakes, and the top will likely develop a signature crackly surface. You can test for doneness by inserting a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center; it should come out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Remember, this is a gooey brownie, so it won’t be completely dry.
- Cool Completely: This step requires patience but is absolutely essential! Remove the brownie pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to slice it. As it cools, the brownie will continue to set, firming up to achieve that perfect fudgy consistency and making it much easier to cut into neat slices.
- Serve with Style: Once cooled, slice your Gooey Brownie Pie and serve it with a generous drizzle of warm hot fudge sauce. For an extra treat, add a scoop of your favorite ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
As the Gooey Brownie Pie bakes, it creates a delightful spectacle – it puffs up, and the top forms an enticingly crackly, slightly crisp crust. Yet, beneath that alluring surface lies an incredibly moist, rich, and intensely chocolatey interior. I prefer to keep mine pure chocolate, embracing the unadulterated decadence. However, if you’re a fan of nuts in your desserts, feel free to fold in some chopped walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips. I skipped them for a smooth, unhindered gooey experience.
Choosing the Right Baking Pan for Your Brownie Pie
The success of this Gooey Brownie Pie, particularly its impressive height and presentation, largely depends on the baking pan you use. The recipe specifically calls for a 9-inch springform pan. This type of pan is ideal because its tall sides can accommodate the generous amount of batter, allowing the brownie to rise beautifully without overflowing. The removable sides also make for a stunning presentation, allowing you to easily release the entire brownie pie onto a serving platter.
If you don’t have a springform pan, don’t worry! You can still make this delicious dessert using a regular pie plate or a standard cake pan. However, be mindful of the batter volume. There’s quite a bit of batter in this recipe, and a standard pie plate might not be deep enough. To prevent overflow and a messy oven, I recommend using only about 3/4 of the batter if you’re opting for a shallower pan. You could bake the remaining batter in a small ramekin for a mini individual brownie or discard it. The springform pan simply offers the best results for the full recipe, ensuring those tall, fudgy sides everyone loves.
Tips for Success & Troubleshooting Your Brownie Pie
Even with simple recipes, a few tips can elevate your baking and help you avoid common pitfalls. For this Gooey Brownie Pie, consider these pointers:
- Don’t Overmix: As mentioned in the instructions, overmixing the batter, especially after adding the flour, can lead to a tougher, more cake-like texture. Mix until just combined.
- Cooling is Key: Resist the urge to cut into your brownie pie while it’s still warm. While tempting, allowing it to cool completely (or at least mostly) will result in cleaner slices and a perfectly set, fudgy interior.
- Quality Chocolate: Since chocolate is a primary flavor, using good quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate will make a noticeable difference in the final taste.
- Adjust Bake Time: Ovens vary, so the baking time is a guideline. Keep an eye on your brownie pie. It should be puffed and crackly on top, but a toothpick inserted into the center should still come out with some moist crumbs. An entirely clean toothpick might mean an overbaked, less gooey brownie.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and butter at room temperature emulsify better, leading to a smoother, more uniform batter.
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
This Gooey Brownie Pie is just as delightful the next day, making it an excellent dessert to prepare in advance. Once completely cooled, you can store the brownie pie, covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. To enjoy it warm again, simply heat individual slices in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. This brownie pie also freezes beautifully. Wrap cooled slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
If you have a chocolate lover in your life, this is truly the ultimate dessert to surprise them with. It’s incredibly easy to make, requires only a few minutes of active work, and uses ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, making it effortless to get this showstopper into the oven. It’s perfect for birthdays, special occasions at home, or simply because those undeniable chocolate cravings strike!
Explore More Decadent Chocolate Dessert Recipes
If you can’t get enough of rich, chocolatey treats, you’re in the right place! Here are some more fantastic chocolate dessert recipes from my collection that you might love:
- Flourless Chocolate Cake: An intensely rich and fudgy cake, naturally gluten-free, perfect for special occasions.
- Double Chocolate Cupcakes: Moist chocolate cupcakes topped with a decadent chocolate frosting, a classic crowd-pleaser.
- Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake: A delightful twist on the classic, featuring rich chocolate cake, fresh strawberries, and cream.
- Soft Double Chocolate Cookies: Chewy, soft, and loaded with chocolate chips for a truly indulgent cookie experience.
- Molten Lava Cake: Individual chocolate cakes with a gooey, molten center – perfect for a romantic dessert for two.
- French Silk Pie: A silky-smooth, rich chocolate mousse filling in a flaky pie crust, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
- Triple Chocolate Skillet Brownie: A warm, gooey brownie baked and served right in a cast-iron skillet, bursting with three types of chocolate.
- Chocolate Toffee Bars: A crunchy, buttery shortbread crust topped with a layer of chocolate and toffee bits, incredibly addictive.
Gooey Brownie Pie
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Equipment
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Hand Mixer
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Springform Pan (9-inch recommended)
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (2 cups for melting, 1 cup for folding in)
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Hot Fudge Sauce, for serving
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan or a deep pie plate.
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In a heat-safe bowl, combine the butter and 2 cups of the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Melt them together until smooth, using either a double boiler or microwaving at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before proceeding.
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In an electric mixer, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This aeration is key for the crackly top.
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Gently mix the slightly cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Fold in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Then, stir in the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips for extra chocolate pockets.
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Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is puffed and a skewer inserted comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). The top will likely crack beautifully.
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Remove the brownie pie from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool completely before attempting to slice, which ensures a perfectly set, fudgy interior.
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To serve, cut into wedges and generously top with warm hot fudge sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Pan Size Note: If you are using a standard pie plate that is not as deep as a springform pan, it is best to use approximately 3/4 of the batter to prevent it from overflowing during baking. The remaining batter can be baked in a small ramekin.
Optional Add-ins: For a delightful texture variation, consider folding in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans with the last addition of chocolate chips.
Storage: Store cooled brownie pie covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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