I always enjoy desserts that incorporate – or are inspired by – Mexican chocolate. a coarsely ground chocolate that is made with coarse sugar (in fact, the chocolate sometimes still has chunks of sugar in it when it is in tablet form) and spices, like cinnamon and cayenne pepper. The exact recipes vary from maker to maker, but they are all delicious and deliver lots of rich bittersweet chocolate and warm spices. This Mexican Chocolate Brownie Pie is inspired by the flavors in Mexican chocolate, a sweet, spicy dessert that is perfect for chocolate-lovers.
The batter starts with a generous amount of unsweetened cocoa powder, which gives the dessert a wonderful bittersweet chocolate flavor. It includes cinnamon and cayenne pepper, along with vanilla and almond extracts, for just the right amount of spice to evoke Mexican chocolate. I usually fold in a generous amount of dark chocolate chunks, leaving a few reserved to sprinkle on top for visual appeal. If I happen to have a tablet of Mexican chocolate in my kitchen, I will chop up some and add a handful of that to the batter, as well. Either way, everything comes together very easily and can be ready to go into the oven in less time than it takes to preheat!
The pie has a rich chocolate base that is reminiscent of classic brownies, but is a bit more tender and not quite as dense as your typical brownie recipe is. After each bite you’ll taste the heat of the cinnamon and cayenne – both of which will leave you wanting a second bite! While it could be baked into squares, baking it in a pie dish elevates the dish slightly and turns it into a dessert that is an excellent choice for entertaining. The brownies can be served at room temperature or slightly warm, topped with vanilla ice cream.
Mexican Chocolate Brownie Pie
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
5 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
2/3 cup dark chocolate chunks, divided
or 1/3 cup coarsely chopped Mexican chocolate and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate and dust with cocoa powder. In a small bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt and baking soda.
In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and almond extract until smooth. Add in flour mixture and whisk until the batter comes together, then stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chunks (and the Mexican chocolate, if using).
Pour batter into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with remaining dark chocolate chunks.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the pie is firm around the outer edge and just set in the center.
Allow pie to cool to room temperature before slicing. Heat each slice for a few seconds in the microwave to warm it before serving.
Serves 8-10.
Laura J
October 20, 2015Oh your brownie pie looks so yummy!!! I would love to try it in my pumpkin raisin bread!
Laura J
October 20, 2015Shared on twitter
https://twitter.com/ilovemybeagle22/status/656579940960174080
Debbie
October 21, 2015Lovely recipe, but ruined by your use of the word “guilt” throughout the post.
Diabetics, or those on a reduced sugar diet are not guilty of anything. People who just enjoy a sweet treat are not guilty of anything. So why make them feel bad by using the phrase “reduced guilt”?
Unfortunately you have played into the whole shaming attitude that is pervasive in today’s eating and body attitude culture. I am disappointed.
Erin Ellis
October 21, 2015I would love to try it, and your recipe looks delicious! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Erin Ellis
October 21, 2015Tweet:
https://twitter.com/ErinLoves2Run/status/656838015159963648
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Medeja
October 21, 2015Yummy! It looks so chocolaty! I like that applesauce is used to make it lighter.
Nicole
October 21, 2015Hi Debbie,
I’m sorry you feel that way, it was not my intention to with this post. It is simply a lower calorie dessert that is packed with delicious flavors and should be suitable for a wide variety dessert-lovers. Those who might be following a sugar-restricted diet might want to check out the Zing FAQs or consult their doctor, as this recipe may or may not be suitable for those restrictions. Thanks so much for the feedback. –Nicole
Jessie C.
October 22, 2015I would love to try it for baking peanut butter stuffed brownies.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C.
October 22, 2015tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/657335913589030912
Mami2jcn
October 22, 2015I’d like to try baking carrot cake.
Mami2jcn
October 22, 2015tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/657354256211660805
Natalie
October 22, 2015These brownies look delicious! I would love to use this baking blend to reduce the calories in my apple cobbler recipe.
Natalie
October 22, 2015https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/657356341778870273
Kelly D
October 22, 2015I would like to make a chocolate cake or cookies.
Kelly D
October 22, 2015tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/657374188022337537
Julie Wood
October 23, 2015I love your Reduced Guilt Mexican Chocolate Brownie Pie, but I never thought about reducing the guilt and making a healthier version! Your Brownies Pie looks so delicious!
Julie Wood
October 23, 2015tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/657514711420801025
Stephanie
October 23, 2015i would love to try it
Avra
October 23, 2015I don’t see the sweepstakes prompt. But based on the comments, the question seems to be what would you like to bake with the Zing Baking Blend . . . and my answer is this recipe!
steve weber
October 23, 2015I would love to try to make those brownies this weekend!
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
steve weber
October 23, 2015tweet= https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/657645172541542400
ELIZABETH P
October 24, 2015I would love to try to make some pumpkin tartlets with Zing. truckredford(at)Gmail(dot)Com
ELIZABETH P
October 24, 2015https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/657996953624571904
Susan Smith
October 24, 2015I would use Zing Baking Blend to make banana bread.
Susan Smith
October 24, 2015https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/658026703009112064
Deb Ford
October 25, 2015I’d like to try Zing in some chocolate chip muffins
mysweetiepiepie
October 25, 2015I would love to try Zing to make some blueberry & pecan muffins.
Cynthia C
October 26, 2015I would like to try Zing to reduce calories in my carrot cake.
Cynthia C
October 26, 2015Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/658608269565521920
Kerry
October 26, 2015I would love to make chocolate chip cookies using zing!
Henria O.
October 27, 2015I would love to try this! Sounds like a great alternative!
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
Linda C.
October 27, 2015Yes I’d like to try it!
Linda C.
October 27, 2015Tweet https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/659112070290341888
Thomas Murphy
October 28, 2015I would make brownies.
maria cantu
October 28, 2015I would make blueberry muffins.
amanda sakovitz
October 29, 2015I would make apple crisp
Elena
October 29, 2015I would like to try this recipe
Elena
October 29, 2015https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/659817562696384512
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming
October 29, 2015that looks so good!!! i would love to try this recipe 🙂
Rebecca Graham
October 30, 2015I would like to try baking an apple pie with this.
angie
October 30, 2015I do not see an actual sweepstakes prompt anywhere on your post, so I will just comment on the post itself. I hope this is OK!
I have heard a lot of about this product because I am all about natural things. I would love to see them come out with a blend that doesn’t contain any sugar and is safe for all to use (diabetics etc.). Thanks for educating me on this product.
Denise L
October 30, 2015I do. In fact, I want to try your Mexican Brownie Pie. It looks so good!
Tarissa
October 30, 2015I’d love to give Zing a try in donuts — I love using my new donut maker!
Tarissa
October 30, 2015Tweeted! https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/660308748712316928
Debbie B
October 30, 2015the brownie pie looks delicious – i would like to try making chocolate chip cookies with Zingâ„¢ Baking Blend
Debbie B
October 30, 2015i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/660346030320259072
Tabathia B
October 31, 2015I would use it to make chocolate chip muffins
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B
October 31, 2015tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/660490408628240385
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
WHITNEY
October 31, 2015I would love to try this. I would probably make some banana nut bread first!
Erica Best
October 31, 2015i would make oatmeal cookies