Luby’s Butternut Brownie Pie Copycat Recipe

Dive into the unique charm of Luby’s Butternut Brownie Pie! While it may not have conventional brownie elements, this pie stands out with its ethereal meringue filled with crunchy graham cracker pieces and pecans. Baked to perfection and crowned with a lavish layer of whipped cream, every slice promises a delightful crunch and melt-in-the-mouth experience. A sprinkle of pecans on top seals the deal.

A slice of Luby's butternut brownie pie served on a plate in the foreground. The full pie, topped with whipped cream and pecans, is visible in the blurred background.

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Why This is the Best Recipe for Butternut Brownie Pie

It’s important to note that despite its name, butternut brownie pie uses neither butter nor cocoa to create its one-of-a-kind flavor. It’s perhaps better thought of as a pecan meringue pie, but it remains just as delicious no matter what you call it. The magic happens through the combination of whipped egg whites creating an airy base, while graham crackers and pecans provide textural contrast and nutty sweetness. The final layer of whipped cream adds luxurious richness that perfectly balances the light meringue.

Ingredients

Luby’s butternut brownie pie comes together from a mix of everyday pantry items supplemented by a few flavor-packed extras. 

  • Egg whites – Create the airy, light meringue base that defines this pie’s texture
  • Baking powder – Helps stabilize the egg whites and adds extra lift
  • Cream of tartar – Essential stabilizer for egg whites and acts as a leavening agent
  • Granulated sugar – Sweetens the meringue and helps create stable peaks
  • Graham cracker squares – Provide signature crunch and honey-sweet flavor
  • Pecan pieces – Add nutty richness and textural contrast throughout
  • Whipping cream – Forms the luxurious topping that crowns each slice
  • Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor profile with aromatic sweetness

The pecans should be divided between larger pieces for the filling and smaller, chopped pieces for the topping. Graham crackers should be broken into half-inch pieces. 

An overhead view of the ingredients for Luby's butternut brownie pie on a white tray. Pictured are bowls of egg whites, heavy cream, sugar, pecans, and broken graham crackers, along with smaller dishes of vanilla, baking powder, and cream of tartar.

How to Make Luby’s Butternut Brownie Pie

You may be surprised at how easily this pie comes together, considering the depth of flavor it produces.

  1. After preheating the oven to 300°F and greasing a 9-inch pie pan, start by whipping the egg whites with the baking powder until soft peaks form.
  2. Mix in the cream of tartar to stabilize the filling, continuing to beat it as you go.
  3. Add a tablespoon of sugar at a time until stiff peaks form.
  4. Gently fold in the pecan pieces and graham crackers.
A six-panel collage showing how to make the meringue filling for the pie. The first panels show egg whites being whipped with sugar into a stiff meringue. The final panels show graham cracker pieces and pecans being folded into the meringue.
  1. Spread this filling in the pie dish.
  2. Bake for 30 minutes, checking for doneness periodically with a toothpick.
  3. While the pie is cooling, prepare the topping by beating the cream with chilled beaters in a chilled bowl, adding sugar and vanilla, until the mixture forms stiff peaks.
  4. Spread this on top of the pie, and finish it off with a sprinkling of chopped pecans.
  5. All that’s left is to refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
A six-panel collage showing the baking and finishing of the pie. The first panels show the meringue filling being baked. The middle panels show the whipped cream topping being made. The final panels show the topping being spread on the pie and garnished with pecans.

Recipe Variations

Beyond the substitutions mentioned above, home cooks can tweak the iconic Luby’s recipe to their liking in many different ways:

  • Chocolate lovers can mix in a bit of cocoa powder to make the pie truly live up to its brownie name.
  • You can even drizzle some butterscotch or caramel sauce over the top for an added flavor boost.
  • An extra decadent version can also be crafted with candied pecans instead of regular ones.
  • Those looking to save time can substitute the homemade whipped cream topping with pre-made whipped cream or Cool Whip. 
A side view of a slice of Luby's butternut brownie pie on a plate. The layers are distinct, showing the crunchy meringue and graham cracker base below a thick layer of whipped cream, all garnished with pecans

What Goes Well With Luby’s Butternut Brownie Pie

Balance out your cool, sweet, refreshing slice of butternut brownie pie with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It’s a perfect finale for a homestyle meal or even just an indulgent snack.

Or, double down on your dessert with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or other ice cream flavors.

On the other hand, fruit can also complement the pie well, matching the sweetness while introducing a fresh element to your after-dinner delight. 

How to Store

  • Refrigerator Storage: Keep covered in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2-3 days for optimal texture and food safety
  • Serving Method: Serve chilled directly from the refrigerator for the best texture and flavor
  • Freezing: Not recommended due to texture changes in meringue and whipped cream when thawed
A detailed close-up of a slice of butternut brownie pie. The camera focuses on the contrasting textures of the crunchy meringue base filled with pecans and the smooth, fluffy whipped cream topping.

More Luby’s Desserts

Favorite Pie Recipes

Check out more of my easy pie recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes on CopyKat!

Copycat Luby's butternut brownie pie slice on a plate.

Luby’s Butternut Brownie Pie Copycat Recipe

Recreate Luby's famous Butternut Brownie Pie! Light meringue with graham crackers and pecans, topped with whipped cream. Texas cafeteria classic!
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Butternut Brownie Pie, Luby’s Recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 425kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 egg whites
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar divided use
  • 14 graham cracker squares broken into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan pieces divided use
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300°F and lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and baking powder until soft peaks form. Add the cream of tartar, beating constantly. Add 1 cup of sugar, a tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until stiff peaks form. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the graham crackers and 1 cup of pecan pieces.
  • Spoon the mixture into the prepared pie plate and bake for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.
  • In a small, chilled bowl, using chilled beaters, beat the cream until it just begins to thicken. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and the vanilla and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat.
  • Top the pie with the whipped cream and sprinkle with the remaining pecans. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 445IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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