Pecan Pie Brownies
Ingredients:
- 1 recipe spiced pie crust (or 1 store-bought pie crust)*
- 1 box fudge brownie mix
- 2 eggs*
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil*
- 1/4 cup maple syrup*
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup pecan halves
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 9x9 baking pan.
- Roll out chilled pie crust on a floured surface. Turn the baking pan over on top of the crust and use as an outline to cut out a square in the dough. Use a floured spatula to transfer the square of pie dough to the bottom of the baking pan.
- Stir together the brownie mix with the eggs, vegetable oil and maple syrup. If using the optional chopped pecans for extra crunchy pecan goodness, fold them into the brownie batter.
- Pour brownie batter over the prepared crust in the baking pan and use a spatula to spread evenly.
- Place pecan halves in rows on top of brownie batter.
- Dot with the softened butter and sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Bake at 325 degrees F. for 35-40 minutes. A toothpick should not come out completely clean. It will still have a little chocolate on it. Do not over bake until it comes out clean as the brownies will be too dry!