It’s time to grab a bag of Western BBQ Cherry Chips, a box of brownie mix, and some pecans, we’re making smoked brownies!!! Smoking up a delicious sweet treat is quite easy and so impressive! Cherry Smoked Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies are rich, decadent, and so easy!
Thank you so much Western Wood Products for sponsoring this impressive and scrumptious post!
HAVE YOU SMOKED A DESSERT?
Okay, grilling friends, what desserts have you smoked on your grill? I would love to know and give your recipes a sweet try! However, if you have not baked on a grill, this is your year! Grill-baking, especially on a gas grill, is easier than you can imagine. And when you boost the flavor with Western BBQ Smoking Chips a memorable palate “WoW” will definitely happen!
Think of it this way, when you grill, you can have an enclosed steel box that can have a temperature of 375°F heat. Right? Well, isn’t that exactly what an oven is? The answer to that question is YES. Therefore all you need are a few tips on how to turn your grill into an oven. And when you do, the possibility of tasty desserts, bread pudding, cookies, crisps, and cobblers becomes unlimited.
But wait, I have one more grill challenge for you. I encourage you not to just bake on your grill but to add smoking chips! Western BBQ smoking chips will add a hint of delicious smokiness to cookies, brownies, cakes, and desserts. That infusion of smokiness brings depth and character to baked goods.
Surprisingly, you can even add smoke to whipped cream but that’s for a different post! Right now, we are talking about CHERRY SMOKED BROWNIES!
WHAT GEAR IS NEEDED TO SMOKE BAKED GOODS ON A GRILL
A smoker box filled with smoking chips! Choose the Western BBQ Smoking Chips that best goes with your dish to bake. See flavor tips below. You will need 2 cups of smoking wood chips to bake for 1-hour.
Choose a cast iron skillet in relation to the number of servings you want. A 10-inch cast iron skillet will serve 8 dessert portions. A cute little 6-inch cast iron will be a dessert-for-two. And 3-inch cast iron skillets are a perfect size for a single serve brownie, cobbler or cookie.
However, a cast iron skillet is not your only choice, today, manufacturers are selling cast-iron 9”x13” baking pans, pie pans, loaf pans, muffin pans, and dessert pizza stones. If there is a baked good you want to smoke that requires a specific pan, it might be made in cast iron! Check it out!
TOP TIPS FROM GRILLING GRANDMA
There is one no-no in baking on your grill, do not use glass!
A food thermometer is a must! When I bake bread on a grill, I know it is done when the internal temperature is (205°F-209°)! Almost every baked item has a proper temperature of doneness! Just search the internet for the temperature of the item you are grill-baking. For instance, “smoked apple cake internal temperature”, probably won’t work in a search engine but baked apple cake internal temperature will. Another example, “internal temperature of vanilla cake”.
Oh by the way, the answer to the internal temperature of vanilla cake is “210°F.
A grill thermometer. Even if you have a grill that has a built in thermometer, please check it now and then. Just like everything in life…the lid’s grill thermometer can get a bit wacky.
An inverted rimmed baking sheet or 1-inch high grill pan will ensure the bottom of the baked goods does not burn. Some grills have secondary racks that would work great too.
Set the indirect heat for the center of the oven is best. Consequently, when the outer burners are set at the right temperature, and the center burners are turned off, you have created a convection and radiant heat zone! Ta-Da!
Use Your Nose! When smoking the pecans for the caramel sauce, use your nose. Generally, your nose can tell you the moment you need to grab the skillet off the grill. This principle holds true when you are making the brownies too.
A Grill Bakes Quicker! In general, I find that grill-baked cakes and brownies complete baking about 5 minutes quicker. Another element to take into consideration is the outside temperature. During summer, with 100°F heat beating on the grill, your brownies will be done 5 minutes sooner! YaY, for summer brownies.
HOW TO SMOKE DESSERTS ON A GAS GRILL
Turn all of the burners to the hottest heat in the beginning. Place the smoker box filled with wood chips over the front burner.
Once there is a steady stream of smoke drifting from the box or packet, adjust the grill heat to 25°F higher than the recipe’s suggested baking temperature.
Insert item to be baked onto an elevated baking pan.
Set the smoker box as far away from the grill’s vent as possible. This way, the smoke will travel across the baked item delivering smoky deliciousness.
Close the lid and bake for 10 minutes with the estimated baking time. Every time you take a peek, heat is lost. Brownies are very forgiving but not all baked items are! When you check on your baked item it is a good idea to turn the pan just in case there are uneven hot spots on your grill.
The only disadvantage of baking on a grill versus an oven is that the temperature drop in a grill is more pronounced.
STEPS FOR SMOKING BROWNIES ON THE GRILL
Prepare your grill. Fill a smoker box with about 2-cups Western BBQ Smoking Chips.
Always wipe out your grill before baking. Yesterday’s chicken fat residue is not tasty in today’s brownie! Coat the cast iron skillet with soft butter or cooking oil.
Follow the directions on the brownie box to how much water, eggs, and cooking oil. You don’t need an electric mixer, simply whisk until well combined.
If you want to boost the flavor in your brownies check out my flavor boosts below.
Pour the brownie into your cast iron skillet. Fire up the smoker to the temperature to 350°F degrees. Bake over indirect heat for 30-45 minutes. Bake the brownies until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with some moist, not wet, with sticky crumbs attached. The center should have a fudgy texture while the edges are set.
While the brownies are baking, smoke the pecans, in the grill, over indirect heat for about 7-10 minutes or until fragrant and turning golden amber.
Microwave the caramel syrup as directed in the recipe. Pour the syrup over the toasted pecans. Reheat the pecans and syrup over indirect heat until thickened.
Once the brownie has baked, pour the caramel pecans sauce over the brownies. Sprinkle it with flaky salt, and remove the skillet from the grill.
Serve Cherry Smoked Salted Caramel Brownies with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
WHAT ARE THE BEST WESTERN SMOKING CHIPS FOR BAKING
Cherry Smoking Chips are tasty with anything chocolate, like chocolate chip cookies.
Peach Smoking Chips are tasty with vanilla cakes, blondies, and snickerdoodles.
Pecan Smoking Chips is a delicious choice when baking nutty or fruit based desserts.
Apple Smoking Chips enhance apple and other fruit crisps, cobblers, and pies.
Maple Smoking Chips, similar to apple smoking chips, infuse apple, peach, pear, butternut squash, nutty, chocolate, and vanilla desserts! Eureka! Maple Smoking Chips are safe for any dessert I can think of!
WHAT FLAVOR BOOSTS CAN BE ADDED TO BROWNIES
Trust me on this one! Chili is so very delicious when added to brownies. Add 1/2 tsp crush red pepper flakes or ancho chili powder. I have even used crushed tomatoes with diced green chilies!
Batter Boosts:
Cinnamon and Clove love chocolate!
Lime, Lemon or Orange zest bring zing!
Black Pepper brings an interesting twist in flavor to brownies.
Mint or Almond Extract will add scrumptiousness.
A shot of booze like whiskey!
Smoked Brownie Topping Boosts:
My salted caramel pecan topping is off the charts but if you must other topping ideas are below.
Mint chocolate chip ice cream
Toasted Marshmallows
Melted Chopped Snicker Bars or other chopped chocolate bars
Cherry Jam with Toasted Almonds
Chopped Glazed Pecans with Bourbon Simple Syrup
Now Granny always says eat your dinner so you can have dessert! I’d suggest Cherry Smoked Pork Loin! Check out Grilling Grandma’s Cherry Smoked Pork Loin!
For more scrumptious smoky recipes with Western BBQ Smoking Chips
click here Western BBQ Products!
Check out the smoking inspiration:
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Cherry Smoked Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies
A decadent cherry smoked brownie with smoked pecans smothered in homemade caramel sauce. A rich and delicious dessert recipe for your next party.
Ingredients
- You will need:
- Gas Grill
- Western BBQ Cherry Smoking Chips
- Smoker box
- 1 (10-inch) cast iron skillets
- 1 rimmed baking sheet
- 1 microwave-safe 4-cup bowl
- Ingredients:
- 1 ( 16 oz) pkg Chocolate Brownie Mix, oil, egg, water as directed on package
- 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp agave syrup
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon flaky salted
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
1. Place about 2 cups of Western BBQ Cherry Smoking Chips in a smoker box or homemade foil packet pierced with holes. Place the smoker box on the hottest part of a gas grill until smoking, about 10-15 minutes.
2. Adjust gas grill for 350°F indirect heat. Place pecans in a cast iron skillet, and place over indirect heat. Keep the smoker box above a hot burner. Smoke pecans for 7-10 minutes, or until just beginning to toast and change color.
3. In a medium bowl, lightly whisk brownie ingredients as directed on the package. Pour batter into a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
4. Invert a small rimmed pan or grill pan over the indirect heat. Place the skillet with the batter on the inverted rimmed baking sheet to avoid over baking.
5. Meanwhile, combine granulated sugar, agave syrup, and water in a microwave-safe bowl, and whisk. Cook sugar in the microwave on HIGH for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking. The sugar solution will melt into a light amber syrup when ready to be removed from the microwave. The caramel solution will darken and continue to cook after being removed from the microwave. If caramel is still light gold after 4 minutes, continue to cook at 20 second increments.
6. Allow caramel syrup to cool for 5 minutes. Add butter and stir. Slowly pour in the cream and vanilla extract. Place back on the indirect heat. Once the sauce begins to bubble and thicken, remove from heat, about 5 minutes.
7. After the brownie has baked in the grill for the time directed on the package, remove from heat. Pour caramel sauce over brownie. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
1. Yes, you can make a brownie recipe from scratch! Do your magic and follow my instructions for smoking and baking.
2. If you aren't a lover of brownies this recipe works with a packaged vanilla cake mix.
Cherry Smoked Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies
You will need:
Gas Grill
Western BBQ Cherry Smoking Chips
Smoker box
1 (10-inch) cast iron skillets
1 rimmed baking sheet
1 microwave-safe 4-cup bowl
Ingredients:
1 ( 16 oz) pkg Chocolate Brownie Mix, oil, egg, water as directed on package
1 1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp agave syrup
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp salted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream or cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon flaky salted
Vanilla ice cream
Instructions:
Place about 2 cups of Western BBQ Cherry Smoking Chips in a smoker box or homemade foil packet pierced with holes. Place the smoker box on the hottest part of a gas grill until smoking, about 10-15 minutes.
Adjust gas grill for 350°F indirect heat. Place pecans in a cast iron skillet, and place over indirect heat. Keep the smoker box above a hot burner. Smoke pecans for 7-10 minutes, or until just beginning to toast and change color.
In a medium bowl, lightly whisk brownie ingredients as directed on the package. Pour batter into a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Invert a small rimmed pan or grill pan over the indirect heat. Place the skillet with the batter on the inverted rimmed baking sheet to avoid over baking.
Meanwhile, combine granulated sugar, agave syrup, and water in a microwave-safe bowl, and whisk. Cook sugar in the microwave on HIGH for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking. The sugar solution will melt into a light amber syrup when ready to be removed from the microwave. The caramel solution will darken and continue to cook after being removed from the microwave. If caramel is still light gold after 4 minutes, continue to cook at 20 second increments.
Allow caramel syrup to cool for 5 minutes. Add butter and stir. Slowly pour in the cream and vanilla extract. Place back on the indirect heat. Once the sauce begins to bubble and thicken, remove from heat, about 5 minutes.
After the brownie has baked in the grill for the time directed on the package, remove from heat. Pour caramel sauce over brownie. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
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