Sharing is caring!

Brownie Pecan Truffles

These Brownie Pecan Truffles are rich, fudgy, chocolatey, and filled with finely ground pecans in every bite. Soft brownie truffles are mixed with ground pecans, rolled into bite-sized balls, dipped in melted chocolate, and finished with a sprinkling of fine pecan crumbs on top.

They’re basically everything you love about a fudgy brownie turned into a beautiful little chocolate truffle.

I especially love these for the holidays because they look elegant enough to add to a Christmas candy tray or package in a pretty box for a homemade gift, but they’re incredibly easy to make. You can start with your favorite homemade brownies or use a boxed brownie mix to make the recipe even simpler.

The combination of rich chocolate and pecans also makes these perfect for Thanksgiving. If you love brownies, chocolate truffles, and pecan desserts, these little treats combine all three.

Why You’ll Love These Brownie Pecan Truffles

There are so many reasons to make these, but the texture might be my favorite part.

The brownie center is dense and fudgy, while finely ground pecans add a subtle nuttiness and texture without leaving huge pieces of nuts inside the truffle.

Then the whole thing gets dipped in chocolate.

Once the chocolate coating sets, you get a slight snap from the outside followed by that soft brownie-pecan center.

And because we’re sprinkling finely ground pecans over the chocolate before it hardens, everyone can immediately see what’s inside.

Ingredients

• 1 prepared 8 x 8-inch pan of fudgy brownies, completely cooled
• 1 cup pecans
• 12 ounces chocolate melting wafers or chocolate almond bark
• 1 teaspoon vegetable or coconut oil, optional

That’s it!

Optional Additions

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Caramel drizzle
• Flaky sea salt

What Kind of Brownies Should I Use?

For truffles, I recommend using fudgy brownies rather than cakey brownies.

You want brownies that are moist enough to hold together when they’re rolled into balls.

You can absolutely use your favorite homemade brownie recipe.

But if you’re looking for an easy shortcut, bake your favorite boxed brownie mix according to the package directions.

Let the brownies cool completely before making the truffles.

How to Make Brownie Pecan Truffles

Step 1: Bake and Cool the Brownies

Prepare your brownies according to your favorite recipe or the directions on the box.

Bake them in an 8 x 8-inch or 9 x 9-inch pan.

Let the brownies cool completely.

Warm brownies will be much too soft and sticky to form into truffles.

You can even bake the brownies the day before and make the truffles the following day.

Step 2: Grind the Pecans

Place the pecans in a food processor.

Pulse until they’re very finely ground.

You want the pecans to resemble coarse crumbs or pecan “dust,” but don’t process them continuously for too long or they’ll begin turning into pecan butter.

Set aside about 1/4 cup of the finest pecan crumbs for decorating the finished truffles.

You’ll mix the remaining ground pecans into the brownie filling.

Step 3: Crumble the Brownies

Remove the cooled brownies from the pan and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Crumble them into small pieces using your hands or a fork.

If the very outer edges of your brownies are extremely dry or crunchy, you can trim those pieces away before crumbling.

Step 4: Add the Ground Pecans

Add the ground pecans to the brownie crumbs.

Use a sturdy spoon or clean hands to mix everything together.

As you work the mixture, the fudgy brownies should begin holding together like a soft dough.

Take a small amount and squeeze it in your hand.

If it easily holds its shape, it’s ready for rolling.

Step 5: Roll the Brownie Truffles

Scoop out approximately 1 tablespoon of brownie mixture.

Roll it between your palms to create a smooth ball.

Place the truffle onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Continue until you’ve used all of the brownie mixture.

Depending on the size you make them, you should get approximately 20 to 24 truffles.

Step 6: Chill the Truffles

Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

You can also place the truffles in the freezer for approximately 10 to 15 minutes if you’re in a hurry.

You want them firm and cold but not frozen solid.

Chilling makes them much easier to dip in warm chocolate without falling apart.

Step 7: Melt the Chocolate

Place the chocolate melting wafers or almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl.

Microwave in 20- to 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval.

Continue until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

If the chocolate seems too thick for dipping, stir in a very small amount of vegetable or coconut oil.

Step 8: Dip the Brownie Pecan Truffles

Remove the chilled brownie balls from the refrigerator.

Drop one truffle into the melted chocolate.

Use a fork or dipping tool to turn the truffle until it’s completely coated.

Lift it out of the chocolate and gently tap the fork against the side of the bowl to allow the excess chocolate to drip away.

Place the dipped truffle back onto the parchment paper.

Step 9: Sprinkle With Pecan Dust

Before the chocolate sets, immediately sprinkle the top of the truffle with the finely ground pecans you reserved earlier.

This is what gives the truffles that beautiful finished appearance.

Repeat with the remaining brownie balls.

If the chocolate begins to thicken while you’re working, warm it again briefly.

Step 10: Let the Chocolate Set

Allow the truffles to sit until the chocolate coating has completely hardened.

You can leave them at room temperature in a cool kitchen or place them briefly in the refrigerator.

Once they’re set, they’re ready to serve.

How Fine Should the Pecans Be?

For these truffles, I like the pecans very finely ground.

You don’t want large chunks of nuts competing with the soft brownie center.

Pulse the pecans in a food processor until they’re almost powdery but still have a little texture.

The finest pecan crumbs are perfect for sprinkling over the top.

Just watch the food processor carefully. Pecans contain plenty of natural oil, and if you process them too long, they’ll eventually start turning into nut butter.

Toast the Pecans for Even More Flavor

If you have a few extra minutes, toast the pecans before grinding them.

Spread the pecans onto a baking sheet and toast them at 350°F for about 5 to 8 minutes, watching them carefully.

Let them cool completely before putting them in the food processor.

Toasting brings out the pecans’ natural flavor and makes the finished truffles even better.

What Kind of Chocolate Is Best for Dipping?

Chocolate melting wafers are probably the easiest choice because they’re specifically designed to melt smoothly and set firmly.

Chocolate almond bark is another easy option.

You can use:

• Milk chocolate
• Semi-sweet chocolate
• Dark chocolate
• Chocolate melting wafers
• Chocolate almond bark

For really rich truffles, I love semi-sweet or dark chocolate.

If your brownies are already very sweet, dark chocolate creates a nice balance.

Can I Use Chocolate Chips?

You can, although chocolate chips aren’t always the easiest chocolate for dipping.

They’re formulated to hold their shape during baking, which means melted chocolate chips can be thicker than melting wafers.

If you use chocolate chips, adding a tiny amount of coconut or vegetable oil can help create a smoother dipping consistency.

How to Keep Brownie Truffles From Falling Apart

The most important thing is using moist, fudgy brownies.

When you squeeze the brownie and pecan mixture together, it should easily hold its shape.

If your brownies are particularly dry, you can mix in a spoonful of chocolate frosting to help bind everything.

Start with a very small amount. You don’t want the filling overly wet or sweet.

Chilling the rolled truffles before dipping also helps tremendously.

Don’t Skip the Chilling Time

Trying to dip warm, freshly rolled brownie balls into melted chocolate can get messy very quickly.

The centers need time to firm up.

About 30 minutes in the refrigerator is usually plenty.

You don’t want them frozen solid, though. Extremely cold centers can sometimes cause the chocolate coating to crack as everything changes temperature.

Make Them for Christmas

These Brownie Pecan Truffles would be gorgeous on a Christmas candy tray.

Arrange them in miniature paper candy cups and place them alongside fudge, peanut butter balls, chocolate-covered pretzels, Christmas cookies, and other homemade candies.

The chocolate coating and pecan topping give them a simple, elegant appearance that works beautifully for the holidays.

You could even add a tiny sprinkle of edible gold sugar with the pecan dust for Christmas.

Brownie Pecan Truffles for Thanksgiving

Chocolate and pecans make these a natural Thanksgiving dessert, too.

If you already have several pies on your dessert table, bite-sized truffles give everyone something a little different to try.

They’re also great for guests who just want a small bite of something sweet after a big Thanksgiving dinner.

Pile them onto a pretty serving dish or cake stand and let everyone help themselves.

Homemade Holiday Gift Idea

These are easy to package for homemade Christmas gifts.

Once the chocolate is completely set, place each truffle in a small candy liner.

Arrange them inside a candy box or decorative tin with parchment paper between layers.

Add a ribbon and you have a beautiful homemade chocolate gift.

Just make sure anyone receiving them knows they contain pecans.

Brownie Pecan Truffle Variations

There are so many ways you can change these.

Caramel Pecan Brownie Truffles: Drizzle caramel over the chocolate coating before adding the pecans.

Salted Brownie Pecan Truffles: Add a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt to the top with the pecan dust.

Dark Chocolate Pecan Truffles: Use dark chocolate brownies and dark chocolate coating.

Milk Chocolate Pecan Truffles: Dip the brownie centers in creamy milk chocolate.

White Chocolate Pecan Truffles: Dip them in white chocolate for a completely different look.

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Truffles: For an adults-only variation, add a very small amount of bourbon to the brownie mixture, adjusting the consistency as necessary.

Turtle Brownie Truffles: Add a little caramel to the center and finish with chocolate, pecans, and another caramel drizzle.

How to Store Brownie Pecan Truffles

Store the finished truffles in an airtight container.

I prefer keeping them refrigerated, especially if you’re making them several days ahead.

They’ll keep well for approximately 4 to 5 days.

For the best texture, take them out of the refrigerator for a short time before serving so the brownie centers can soften slightly.

Can You Freeze Brownie Truffles?

Yes.

Once the chocolate coating is completely set, arrange the truffles in an airtight freezer-safe container.

Place parchment or wax paper between layers.

Freeze for up to about 2 months.

Let them thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Tips for the Best Brownie Pecan Truffles

Use fudgy brownies. They’re much easier to roll into truffles than dry, cakey brownies.

Cool the brownies completely. Don’t try to make the truffles while they’re warm.

Grind the pecans finely. Fine pecan pieces blend beautifully into the brownie center.

Reserve the finest pecan crumbs. Use them as the decorative topping.

Chill before dipping. Cold brownie balls are much easier to coat.

Don’t overheat the chocolate. Melt it slowly in short intervals.

Tap off excess chocolate. This gives you a prettier, thinner coating.

Add the pecan dust immediately. Once the chocolate hardens, the pecans won’t stick.

Jennie’s Thoughts

I love the idea of taking a pan of brownies and turning it into something that looks like a box of fancy chocolates.

The brownies already give you that rich, fudgy truffle texture, so you don’t need a complicated filling. Grind the pecans really fine, mix them right into the brownies, and you get this soft chocolate center with pecan flavor throughout.

Then, of course, dipping them in more chocolate makes everything better.

I especially love the finely ground pecans sprinkled over the top. Besides adding another little bit of pecan flavor, they make the truffles look finished and immediately tell you there’s something special inside.

I would absolutely put these on a Christmas candy tray, but I think they’re just as perfect for Thanksgiving because chocolate and pecan are such great holiday flavors.

And if you have leftover brownies? This might be one of the best things you could possibly do with them.

If you’re looking for an easy bite-sized dessert that looks much fancier than it actually is, these Brownie Pecan Truffles are definitely one to save.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Brownie Pecan Truffles made of?

They’re made with fudgy brownies and finely ground pecans rolled into balls, dipped in melted chocolate, and sprinkled with finely ground pecans.

Do I need cream cheese to make brownie truffles?

No. Moist, fudgy brownies should hold together without cream cheese.

Can I use boxed brownies?

Absolutely. A boxed brownie mix is an easy shortcut and works perfectly for this recipe.

Should I toast the pecans?

You don’t have to, but toasted pecans will give the truffles a deeper, nuttier flavor.

Why are my brownie truffles falling apart?

Your brownies may be too dry. Try mixing in a very small amount of chocolate frosting until the mixture holds together when squeezed.

Do brownie truffles need to be refrigerated?

I recommend refrigerating them for longer storage. Let them sit out briefly before serving for a softer brownie center.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Setting Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: Approximately 20–24 truffles

Tip: Toast the pecans before grinding them for an even deeper pecan flavor. Just make sure they’re completely cool before mixing them into the brownies.