If you cannot decide between a rich, fudgy brownie and a decadent chocolate pie, Gooey Brownie Pie is the dessert that gives you both. With a crisp, buttery crust and an ultra-gooey brownie center, this dessert delivers intense chocolate flavor, dramatic texture contrast, and irresistible indulgence in every bite.

Perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or casual weekend baking, gooey brownie pie is surprisingly simple to make while looking and tasting like a bakery-quality dessert. Whether served warm with ice cream or chilled for clean slices, this recipe is guaranteed to impress.

Why Gooey Brownie Pie Is So Popular

Gooey brownie pie has become a favorite dessert because it combines the best elements of two classic treats:

The richness of brownies
The structure and elegance of pie
A gooey, molten-style center

Simple pantry ingredients
Universal appeal for chocolate lovers

It is a dessert that feels indulgent, nostalgic, and impressive without being complicated.

What Is Gooey Brownie Pie?

Gooey brownie pie is a chocolate dessert made by baking a brownie-style batter inside a pie crust. Unlike traditional brownies that bake fully firm, brownie pie is intentionally baked so the center remains soft, fudgy, and almost molten.

The crust provides stability and contrast, while the brownie filling delivers deep chocolate flavor and a luscious texture that melts in your mouth.

Why This Dessert Works So Well

The success of gooey brownie pie comes from balance:

Crisp crust vs. soft center
Sweetness balanced with cocoa bitterness
Firm edges with a molten middle

This contrast creates a restaurant-quality dessert that feels both comforting and luxurious.

Best Crust for Gooey Brownie Pie

Pie Crust Options

Store-bought refrigerated pie crust (most convenient)
Homemade buttery pie crust (best flavor)

Chocolate cookie crust (extra indulgent)

A traditional pie crust works best because it holds its shape while baking and prevents the gooey filling from spreading.

Gooey Brownie Pie Ingredients

For the Crust

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

For the Brownie Filling

½ cup unsalted butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
¾ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt

Optional Add-Ins

Chocolate chunks
Chopped walnuts or pecans
Espresso powder (for deeper chocolate flavor)

How to Make Gooey Brownie Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Place the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish and crimp the edges. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Chocolate

In a heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together until smooth. Let cool slightly.

Step 3: Mix the Batter

Whisk in sugars, eggs, and vanilla until glossy. Fold in flour, cocoa powder, and salt just until combined.

Step 4: Fill the Crust

Pour the brownie batter into the prepared crust and smooth the top.

Step 5: Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains slightly jiggly.

Step 6: Cool Slightly

Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing for a gooey texture.

How to Achieve the Perfect Gooey Center

Do not overbake
Remove when the center still jiggles slightly
Use full-fat butter

Avoid overmixing the batter

Residual heat continues cooking the center after removal from the oven.

Gooey vs. Fudgy vs. Cakey Brownie Pie

Gooey

Soft, molten center that barely holds shape when warm.

Fudgy

Dense, moist, and rich throughout.

Cakey

Lighter texture with more flour and air.

This recipe is intentionally gooey-fudgy, leaning toward molten in the center.

Best Chocolate to Use

For the richest flavor:

Semi-sweet chocolate (ideal balance)
Dark chocolate (for less sweetness)

Avoid milk chocolate alone—it can be overly sweet

High-quality chocolate significantly improves the final result.

Popular Variations

Gooey Brownie Pie with Ice Cream

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a classic pairing.

Salted Caramel Brownie Pie

Drizzle caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt.

Nutty Brownie Pie

Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.

Peanut Butter Brownie Pie

Swirl peanut butter into the batter before baking.

Is Gooey Brownie Pie Kid-Friendly?

Yes. This dessert is:

Sweet and chocolate-forward
Soft and easy to eat

Free of strong or bitter flavors

Kids especially enjoy it warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Serving Suggestions

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream

Fresh whipped cream
Powdered sugar dusting
Chocolate ganache drizzle

Fresh berries for contrast

Serve warm for maximum gooeyness or chilled for clean slices.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Make Ahead

Bake up to one day in advance and store covered at room temperature.

Refrigeration

Refrigerate up to 4 days for a firmer texture.

Reheating

Warm slices briefly in the microwave or oven for gooey centers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overbaking the pie

Using too much flour
Skipping the cooling time
Using low-quality chocolate

These mistakes can lead to dry or crumbly results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this without a crust?
Yes, but it becomes a skillet brownie rather than a pie.

Can I freeze gooey brownie pie?
Yes, wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months.

Should the center look underbaked?
Yes, slightly. That is what creates the gooey texture.

Why This Recipe Works

This gooey brownie pie recipe works because it:

Uses a balanced fat-to-flour ratio

Relies on melted chocolate for richness
Controls baking time carefully
Uses a sturdy crust to support the filling

The result is consistent, decadent, and bakery-worthy.

Final Thoughts

Gooey Brownie Pie is the ultimate dessert for chocolate lovers who crave richness, texture, and indulgence. With its crisp crust and molten center, it delivers everything you want from brownies and pie in one unforgettable dessert. Whether served warm, topped with ice cream, or enjoyed straight from the fridge, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite.

Gooey Brownie Pie: The Ultimate Chocolate Lover’s Dessert

Author: WAFA LI

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (9-inch) unbaked deep-dish pie crust (store-bought or homemade—try whole wheat or almond for depth)
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
• 4 oz (115g) dark chocolate (70%), chopped
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs + 1 yolk, room temp
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chunks in filling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Fit pie crust into 9″ deep-dish pie plate; crimp edges. Chill 15 min.
Line crust with parchment; fill with pie weights or dried beans. Blind-bake 12 min. Remove weights; bake 3 more min. Cool slightly.

Melt butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (or microwave in 30-sec bursts), stirring until smooth. Cool 5 min.
Whisk in sugar, then eggs + yolk one at a time, then vanilla. Fold in flour, cocoa, and salt—just until no streaks remain. Stir in nuts or chunks (if using).
Pour filling into warm crust.

Bake 25–30 min: edges should be set, center still slightly jiggly (it firms as it cools—overbaking kills the goo!).
Cool at least 2 hours before slicing. Serve with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of Chocolate Whipped Cream (see recipe!).