The internet is brimming with dessert recipes, but when you stumble upon one with a name like “Knock You Naked Brownies” from the Pioneer Woman, you know it’s worth a closer look. Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, has a knack for creating comforting, crowd-pleasing recipes, and these layered caramel brownies are no exception. As someone with a serious sweet tooth and a love for all things chocolate, I was instantly intrigued and had to try baking these famous brownies myself.
If you’re curious about other kitchen staples Ree Drummond swears by, check out this list of Pioneer Woman’s favorite ingredients.
Baking Pioneer Woman’s Knock You Naked Brownies: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Pioneer Woman's Knock You Naked Brownies Recipe: Decadent Layers of Chocolate and Caramel
Taste of Home, Emily Parulski/Taste of Home, via @thepioneerwoman/Instagram
This recipe is straightforward and promises a rich, gooey brownie experience. Here’s what you’ll need to create these decadent treats:
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Brownies
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 box German chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 60 caramels
- 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Essential Kitchen Tools
To make these Pioneer Woman brownies, you’ll want to have these tools handy:
Pioneer Woman Measuring Bowls: Essential Kitchen Tools for Baking Brownies The Pioneer Woman Measuring CupsShop Now
Pioneer Woman Ceramic Baker: Perfect Bakeware for Making Brownie Recipes The Pioneer Woman Ceramic Red Square BakerShop Now
Double Boiler for Melting Caramel: Recommended Tool for Pioneer Woman Brownie Recipe Farberware Classic 2 Quart Double Boiler$43.16 at Amazon
Initial Recipe Impressions
Right away, I could see that these weren’t your average brownies. Ree Drummond takes a simple box of German chocolate cake mix and transforms it into something extraordinary. The combination of gooey caramel layers and chocolate chips promised a deeply satisfying treat. While I appreciate a classic chewy brownie recipe, I was excited to try this elevated, layered version.
Getting Started: Baking the Brownie Layers
First, prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan by greasing and flouring it. The original Pioneer Woman recipe suggests a 9×9 pan, but an 8×8 works just as well, you might just need to bake them a bit longer. In a mixing bowl, combine the German chocolate cake mix, 1/3 cup of evaporated milk, melted butter, and chopped pecans. The batter will be quite thick, which makes it easy to divide in half. Press half of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake this first layer in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
While the first brownie layer is baking, it’s time to prepare the caramel sauce. It’s best to start this immediately as the caramels take some time to melt properly. Using a double boiler, combine the caramels and 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Stir occasionally as the caramels melt into a smooth, golden sauce. (If you’re curious about the difference, you can read about evaporated milk vs. condensed milk.)
Once the caramel is melted and luscious, pour it evenly over the baked first brownie layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel. The recipe calls for 1/3 cup, but feel free to add a few more for extra chocolate coverage, as I did.
If you find yourself with leftover evaporated milk, there are plenty of delicious recipes using evaporated milk to explore!
Preparing Pioneer Woman Brownie Batter: Layering for Knock You Naked Brownies Recipe
Emily Parulski/Taste of Home
Now comes the slightly trickier part: topping the caramel layer with the remaining brownie batter. Since you can’t easily spread the thick batter over the caramel, the best approach is to form the remaining dough into a square on a sheet of wax paper. Do this right before you’re ready to top the brownies to prevent sticking. (Learn more about avoiding common brownie baking mistakes.) Mine did stick a little, but it wasn’t a major issue – I just transferred it piece by piece onto the caramel. This creates a rustic, layered look with chunks of brownie dough over the caramel.
Assembling and Baking the Final Brownie Layers
Unbaked Pioneer Woman Knock You Naked Brownies: Ready for the Oven
Emily Parulski/Taste of Home
The Taste Reveal: Are They Knock-Your-Socks-Off Good?
After baking for another 25 minutes, the brownies emerged from the oven looking and smelling incredible. They had a slight jiggle, but a toothpick inserted into the center came out clean, indicating they were perfectly baked. (For more baking tips, check out these brownie baking secrets from experts.) The hardest part was waiting for them to cool to room temperature and then chill in the refrigerator for a few hours to fully set. But let me tell you, the patience paid off!
Baked Pioneer Woman Knock You Naked Brownies: Golden Brown and Gooey Perfection
Emily Parulski/Taste of Home
The combination of cold, fudgy brownie and gooey caramel is simply divine. Be warned – these Pioneer Woman brownies are intensely sweet and definitely for those with a serious sweet tooth who adore chocolate and caramel. If you’re looking for another chocolate indulgence, explore these decadent chocolate dessert recipes. Ree Drummond suggests cutting them into six large pieces, but I found that cutting them into 16 squares was still plenty rich. A small square is all you need to experience pure dessert bliss.
The Unexpected Twist: Illini Bars?
These Pioneer Woman “Knock You Naked Brownies” were a hit! But here’s a fun discovery: these brownies are very similar to what Midwesterners call “Illini bars,” often brought to tailgates at University of Illinois (U of I) football games. It turns out, Ree Drummond mentioned on her show that she was inspired by some “killer brownies” from a friend, and this recipe is her take on them. It’s highly likely those “killer brownies” were indeed Illini bars!
Explore More Pioneer Woman Cookbooks
If you’re a fan of Ree Drummond’s cooking style, check out these popular Pioneer Woman cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks Cookbook: Step-by-Step Recipes for Home Baking The Pioneer Woman Cooks―A Year of Holidays$17.44 at Amazon
Pioneer Woman Super Easy Cookbook: Quick and Simple Baking Recipes The Pioneer Woman Cooks―Super Easy!$15.09 at Amazon
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