Browsing through Ree Drummond’s recipes, also known as the Pioneer Woman, is always a treat. Her Knock You Naked Brownies immediately caught my eye with their intriguing name and promise of decadent goodness. As a devoted chocoholic, the combination of gooey layers and rich caramel in these brownies was simply irresistible. I had to try baking these myself to see if they lived up to the hype and that bold name. Spoiler alert: they absolutely did!
Before we dive into the baking process, you might be curious about Ree Drummond’s essential pantry staples. Knowing her go-to ingredients adds another layer of appreciation for her recipes.
Baking Your Own Pioneer Woman Chocolate Brownies
Ree Drummond Pioneer Woman Knock You Naked Brownies
Image: Ree Drummond’s famous Knock You Naked Brownies, showcasing their rich layers of chocolate and caramel.
Essential Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Brownies
Here’s what you’ll need to create these luscious Pioneer Woman Chocolate Brownies:
- 1 stick of butter, melted for a rich, buttery base
- 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup of evaporated milk, crucial for the gooey texture and caramel
- 1 box of German chocolate cake mix, the secret shortcut for ease and flavor
- 1 cup of finely chopped pecans, adding a delightful nutty crunch
- 60 creamy caramels, the heart of the gooey caramel layer
- 1/3 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, for extra chocolate intensity
- Powdered sugar, for a delicate dusting and visual appeal
Recommended Baking Tools
Having the right tools makes baking a breeze. For these Pioneer Woman chocolate brownies, consider these helpful items:
The Pioneer Woman Breezy Blossom 4 Piece Measuring Bowls
Shop Now for Pioneer Woman Measuring Bowls
Image: Pioneer Woman Breezy Blossom Measuring Bowls, perfect for measuring ingredients with style.
The Pioneer Woman Mazie 8 X 8 Ceramic Red Square Baker Ecomm
Get your Pioneer Woman Ceramic Red Square Baker
Image: Pioneer Woman Mazie Ceramic Red Square Baker, ideal for baking brownies evenly.
Farberware Classic Stainless 2 Quart Covered
Find the Farberware Classic 2 Quart Double Boiler on Amazon
Image: Farberware Classic 2 Quart Double Boiler, essential for melting caramels smoothly.
These tools aren’t strictly mandatory, but they certainly enhance the baking experience and ensure the best results for your Pioneer Woman chocolate brownies.
Initial Impressions of the Recipe
Looking at the ingredient list, it’s clear these aren’t your average brownies. Using a cake mix as a base is a clever shortcut, transforming it into something extraordinarily rich and gooey. The layers of caramel and chocolate promise a truly decadent treat. While you can always opt for a classic chewy brownie recipe, these Pioneer Woman brownies take it to a whole new level of indulgence. The combination of textures and flavors seemed perfectly balanced for a truly irresistible dessert.
Step-by-Step Baking Guide
Let’s get started on baking these amazing Pioneer Woman chocolate brownies!
- Prep the Pan: Begin by greasing and lightly flouring an 8×8 inch baking pan. The original recipe suggests a 9×9 pan, but an 8×8 works perfectly, resulting in slightly thicker brownies, which I personally love. You might need to adjust baking time slightly if using an 8×8 pan.
- Mix the Base Layer: 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. Divide the batter in half.
- Form the First Layer: Press half of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Using your fingers makes this step easy and ensures an even base.
- Bake the First Layer: Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 8-10 minutes. This par-baking sets the first layer and creates a sturdy foundation for the caramel.
- Prepare the Caramel Layer: While the first layer is baking, start on the caramel sauce. This is crucial because melting caramels takes time. In 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 between evaporated milk and condensed milk, it’s evaporated milk that you need for this recipe to achieve the right caramel consistency.
- Assemble the Layers: Once the first brownie layer is out of the oven and the caramel is melted, pour the liquid caramel evenly over the baked brownie base.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips generously over the caramel layer. While the recipe suggests 1/3 cup, feel free to add a few more to fully cover the caramel if desired.
- Prepare the Top Layer: Now for the slightly trickier part – the top brownie layer. Since you can’t easily spread the thick batter over the caramel and chocolate chips, the best method is to create a dough square separately. Place the remaining half of the brownie batter on a sheet of wax paper. Gently form it into a square shape that’s roughly the size of your baking pan. It’s best to do this right before topping the brownies to prevent sticking. If it does stick slightly, don’t worry! You can simply peel it off piece by piece and arrange it on top of the caramel.
- Top and Bake: Carefully transfer the dough square from the wax paper onto the caramel and chocolate chip layer. It might look a bit like chocolate “icebergs” on a “sea” of caramel, which is perfectly fine!
- Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25 minutes.
Ree Drummond Naked Brownies Dough Emily Parulski
Image: The brownie dough being prepared, showcasing its rich chocolate color and thick texture.
For more tips and tricks, especially if you’re new to brownie baking, check out common brownie baking mistakes to avoid.
The Grand Taste Test
After baking for 25 minutes, the Pioneer Woman chocolate brownies emerged from the oven looking and smelling absolutely divine. They might still be a bit jiggly, but a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, indicating they are perfectly done. For more expert advice, explore these brownie baking tips from test kitchen experts.
The hardest part was waiting for them to cool to room temperature and then chilling them in the refrigerator for a few hours to fully set. But let me tell you, the patience is well rewarded!
Pioneer Woman Naked Brownies In Dish Emily Parulski
Image: Pioneer Woman brownies fresh out of the oven, golden brown and ready to cool.
The combination of a cold, fudgy brownie and gooey caramel is simply perfection. Be warned – these Pioneer Woman chocolate brownies are intensely sweet, definitely tailored for those with a serious sweet tooth and a love for chocolate and caramel. If you’re looking for even more chocolate indulgence, you might want to explore these decadent chocolate dessert recipes.
While Ree Drummond cuts these brownies into six very generous pieces, I found that cutting them into 16 squares was more manageable, and even then, they are incredibly rich. A small square is truly enough to satisfy any dessert craving.
ree drummond knock you naked brownies in baking dish
Image: Sliced Pioneer Woman Knock You Naked Brownies, revealing the delicious layers of brownie and caramel.
The Surprising Revelation
These Pioneer Woman chocolate brownies were not just delicious; they were also surprisingly familiar! It turns out, these are very similar to what Midwesterners fondly call “Illini bars,” a popular treat often brought to tailgating events at the University of Illinois. Ree Drummond even mentioned on her show that she was inspired by some “killer brownies” she received from a friend, and this recipe is her take on them. It’s highly likely those “killer brownies” were indeed Illini bars! This regional connection adds a charming twist to the Pioneer Woman’s recipe.
Explore More Pioneer Woman Cookbooks
If you’re a fan of Ree Drummond’s cooking style and want to explore more of her delightful recipes, check out these popular Pioneer Woman cookbooks:
Pioneer Woman Cooks Step Step
Find “The Pioneer Woman Cooks―A Year of Holidays” on Amazon
Image: “The Pioneer Woman Cooks―A Year of Holidays” cookbook cover, featuring festive recipes for every occasion.
Pioneer Woman Cooks Super Easy Shortcut Ecomm
Get “The Pioneer Woman Cooks―Super Easy!” on Amazon
Image: “The Pioneer Woman Cooks―Super Easy!” cookbook cover, highlighting quick and simple recipes.
Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime 16 Minute Ecomm
Purchase “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime” from Amazon
Image: “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime” cookbook cover, focusing on easy and family-friendly dinner recipes.
These cookbooks are fantastic resources for anyone looking to bring the Pioneer Woman’s comforting and flavorful recipes into their own kitchen. And if you start with one recipe, make it these Pioneer Woman chocolate brownies – you won’t be disappointed!
