Indulge in the ultimate treat with these chocolate caramel brownies. The rich, fudgy brownie base is perfectly complemented by swirls of gooey caramel, creating a decadent dessert that's hard to resist. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, these brownies are sure to satisfy your chocolate and caramel cravings.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up caramel sauce if you don't already have it on hand. Make sure to get a high-quality caramel sauce for the best flavor. Everything else, like unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt, should be easy to find in any supermarket.
Ingredients for Chocolate Caramel Brownies
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the brownies.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownies and helps create a fudgy texture.
Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the chocolate.
All-purpose flour: Gives the brownies their structure.
Cocoa powder: Provides the rich chocolate flavor.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Caramel sauce: Adds a gooey, sweet layer that complements the chocolate.
Technique Tip for Perfect Brownies
When swirling the caramel sauce into the brownie batter, use a gentle hand and a knife with a thin blade. This ensures that the caramel creates beautiful, intricate patterns without sinking too deeply into the batter. Aim for a marbled effect by making figure-eight motions or zigzag patterns. This technique not only enhances the visual appeal but also ensures that each bite has a balanced mix of chocolate and caramel.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
melted unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar fat content and moisture level, making it a good alternative for butter in brownies.
granulated sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and adds a slight caramel flavor, which complements the brownies well.
large eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. This mixture acts as a binder and adds a slight nutty flavor.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but pleasant flavor that pairs well with chocolate.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour is gluten-free and adds a slightly nutty flavor, though it may make the brownies denser.
cocoa powder - Substitute with carob powder: Carob powder is naturally sweet and caffeine-free, making it a good alternative to cocoa powder.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a more complex flavor profile and can enhance the overall taste of the brownies.
caramel sauce - Substitute with dulce de leche: Dulce de leche has a similar consistency and flavor profile, making it an excellent substitute for caramel sauce.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How To Store / Freeze Your Brownies
- To keep your chocolate caramel brownies fresh and delectable, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay moist and delicious for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, place the brownies in the refrigerator. This will extend their shelf life to about a week. Ensure they are in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
- If you want to savor these desserts over a longer period, freezing is an excellent option. First, let the brownies cool completely. Cut them into squares and wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap. This helps to maintain their texture and flavor.
- After wrapping, place the individually wrapped brownies in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the container with the date to keep track of their freshness.
- When you're ready to enjoy a frozen brownie, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 1-2 hours. For a quicker option, you can microwave the brownie for 20-30 seconds, but be careful not to overheat it.
- For an extra touch of indulgence, serve the thawed brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. This will elevate the flavors and make your dessert experience even more delightful.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the brownies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the brownies with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
- Heat for 10-15 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
- Allow them to cool slightly before enjoying the gooey caramel and chocolate goodness.
Microwave Method:
- Place a brownie on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds.
- Check the brownie and continue to heat in 10-second intervals if necessary, until it reaches your desired warmth.
- Let it sit for a minute before indulging in the melty caramel and chocolate layers.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over low heat.
- Place the brownies in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Warm for about 2-3 minutes on each side, checking frequently to avoid burning.
- Once heated through, remove from the skillet and let them cool slightly before savoring the rich caramel and chocolate flavors.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the brownies on a toaster oven tray.
- Cover with aluminum foil to keep them moist.
- Heat for 10-12 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
- Let them cool slightly before enjoying the delightful caramel and chocolate combination.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Preheats to 350°F (175°C) to bake the brownies evenly.
9x13 inch baking pan: Holds the brownie batter and ensures even baking.
Cooking spray or butter: Greases the baking pan to prevent the brownies from sticking.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the melted butter and sugar, and later the other ingredients.
Whisk: Helps to mix the melted butter and sugar until smooth.
Spatula: Folds the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients without overmixing.
Sifter: Sifts the flour, cocoa powder, and salt to remove lumps and ensure even mixing.
Measuring cups: Measures the ingredients accurately to ensure the right proportions.
Measuring spoons: Measures smaller quantities like vanilla extract and salt.
Knife: Swirls the caramel sauce into the brownie batter for a marbled effect.
Toothpick: Checks for doneness by inserting into the center of the brownies.
Cooling rack: Allows the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
How to Save Time on Making These Brownies
Melt butter in microwave: Use the microwave to quickly melt butter instead of using a stovetop.
Use pre-made caramel sauce: Save time by using store-bought caramel sauce instead of making it from scratch.
Measure ingredients in advance: Pre-measure all ingredients before starting to streamline the process.
Line the baking pan: Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
One-bowl method: Mix all wet ingredients in one bowl and all dry ingredients in another to reduce cleanup time.
Chocolate Caramel Brownies
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Caramel Swirl
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the batter. Pour the remaining brownie batter on top, then drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top.
- Use a knife to gently swirl the caramel into the brownie batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
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