Fresh cranberry pecan brownies are rich, tart and not very sweet decadent brownies with lots of pecans. It is a great snack for anytime of the day and also a dessert with some ice-cream.
What is Elevenses?
Theme for this week is Elevenses. Elevenses is an English tradition where tea or light snack is served around eleven am. It is a second breakfast or a light snack served midday and is also a light meal that keeps one going until lunch time. Consider it a short, late morning break for refreshments.
What is served for Elevenses?
The food and time of Elevenses varies from country to country. In Britain, it is a light snack; cookies, brownies, scones, biscuits and sandwiches served with some tea. In India there is no elevenses concept but some people do have a second cup of tea, coffee or a refreshing drink around 10 or 11 am.
Cranberry Pecan Brownie
The first elevenses recipe is fresh cranberry pecan brownies. Ever since I baked fresh cranberry Christmas cake, fresh cranberry brownies were on my to bake list. Source of this brownie recipe and the cranberry cake are the same.
Cranberry pecan brownies are made with fresh or frozen cranberries and I used the latter. According to the recipe, frozen berries work well for this recipe, however, it was a bit of challenge mixing in frozen berries. Frozen cranberries came together and formed a lump once added to the batter. Hence, either thaw the cranberries or use fresh cranberries instead. Fresh cranberries are still available in stores and highly recommend those or fully thawed cranberries.
Fresh Cranberry Pecan Brownies Recipe
Fresh Cranberry Pecan Brownies
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Unsalted Butter
- 1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract or Almond Extract
- 2 Eggs
- ½ cup All Purpose Flour
- ¼ tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
- ½ cup Pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 F.
- Grease a 9x9 baking pan with butter or line with a parchment paper. I used 8x8 greased Pyrex dish.
- Melt butter in a saucepan on medium high flame.
- Add chocolate chips and stir until melted. If required, reduce the flame.
- Remove from heat, add sugar, vanilla extract and stir until smooth. I was out of vanilla extract and used almond extract.
- Add eggs and whisk immediately until well incorporated.
- Stir in flour and salt until combined.
- Stir in cranberries and pecans.
- Pour the batter into a greased pan, spread the batter evenly and bake in a preheated oven for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownie comes out with moist crumbs. I baked on a middle rack for 33 minutes in my oven.
- Let the pan cool for few minutes, cut the brownie into 16 pieces and let cool completely in the pan.
- Store in an airtight container for days or wrap them airtight and freeze for upto 3 months. Thaw the brownies at room temperature and enjoy.
Notes
- Recipe says frozen cranberries work well in the recipe and do not require thawing. However, it was a challenge stirring in the cranberries. I thawed cranberries for 10-15 minutes while I did the prep work and the moment I added the berries, batter came together to form a lump. It was quite a task to evenly stir in the berries. I recommend either thawing the berries a bit longer or use fresh cranberries.
- Almond extract is a great substitute for vanilla in this recipe. I was out of vanilla and used almond instead.
- Chopped almonds would be a nice variation to pecans along with almond extract.
- Though brownies have decent amount of pecans, i would not mind a few more!
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Varada says
I love recipes with fresh cranberries. They taste so different from the usual dried version. Pecans and fresh cranberries is a great combination.
Kalyani says
That’s a lovely combo of cranberries and pecans. I think most berries and nuts would fit the bill too , as I don’t get fresh berries other than strawberry here. Lovely pics
Vaishali Sabnani says
The brownies look awesome ! The look of fresh cranberries is pretty and rather tempting , perfect bake for the theme .
Jayashree says
The brownies have come out well, the cranberry and pecan must have elevated the taste.
Sushma says
The brownies have turned out so nice and beautiful. Love the addition of cranberries in it. Good one Usha
sapna says
Omg those brownies look so fudgy and super scrumptious. Feel like grabbing some from the screen.
Rajani says
I thought thawed berries will be mushy when baked. Anyway love this brownie, looks so really delicious!
MySpicyKitchen says
I never baked with frozen or thawed berries in the past, Rajani. I didn’t thaw cranberries yet, were soft and mushy after baking.
Gayathri Kumar says
The crackling top and the fudge like crumb along with those fresh cranberries makes the brownies look amazing.
Pavani says
Wow, cranberry and pecans in a brownie – that sounds very interesting. Using fresh cranberries must have made these taste tart and sweet. Good one for the 11:00 AM hunger pangs.
harini says
Wow! Never baked with fresh cranberries. Looks fantastic. I am sure the eggs can be replaced. Shall check with my kids if they are interested in these brownies.
Suma Gandlur says
Those brownies with cranberries and nuts peeking look fabulous. Perfect to snack on anytime.
Renu says
Those brownies looks just fantastic so yummy and so delicious. Addition of fresh cranberry to brownie must have added to the softness