Okay, let's be real, when it comes to brownies, I have opinions. And after years of 'research' (aka eating a lot of brownies), I've come to a few conclusions. We need them gooey. We need them fudgy. We need them dense. And, most importantly, we need a texture that makes you want to curl up with a glass of milk and never leave your couch.
Now, imagine all of that, but with a twist. Not just any twist – we're talking about a homemade salted caramel twist. Not the kind that's cloyingly sweet, but a rich, silky, flavor-packed caramel that you, yes YOU, made yourself! And to make it even better, the sticky caramel pools are speckled with flaky sea salt. This is not a drill, friends. This is dessert heaven.
These salted caramel brownies are everything I want in a treat. They're not just a dessert; they're an experience. They're the kind of thing that makes you forget about everything else and just savor the moment. They’re my ultimate comfort, my sweet escape, my dessert soulmate.
And let’s be honest, forget the chocolates or flowers, I'd take a batch of these over anything.
Crafting Your Caramel Dreams:
It might seem intimidating, but trust me, the caramel is the easiest part of this journey. And what is the journey if you dont enjoy the creation? Here's how we do it. Melt sugar to an amber color. Swirl in butter, then cream. Let it bubble away and smooth, then pour it on a parchment-lined sheet and let it freeze. This will ensure that each bite of the brownie has a pocket of soft gooey caramel.
Brownie Breakdown
Now, for the brownies, we're going full-on fudgy. Melt dark chocolate and butter. Whisk in sugar, then eggs and vanilla. Flour and salt finish it off. Pour in a baking pan with most of your frozen caramel. Dot the rest on top. You are ready to bake.
Here’s a quick summary:
- Make the caramel
- Freeze the caramel
- Make the brownie batter
- Combine
- Bake until set.
I am telling you, you need to make these brownies. Make them for someone you love or just make them for yourself. Trust me, you deserve it. Hint: if you love salted caramel brownies, snuggling your dog and watching old movies, then this treat is for you.
I must give credit where it is due, the base recipe was inspired by the queen of food blogging , Smitten Kitchen. Go and check it out.
Salted Caramel Brownies Recipe
Yields: 9 Big Brownies
Ingredients:
For the Caramel:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
For the Brownies:
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 1 stick salted butter (8 tablespoons)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup flour
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray. Also prepare a plate with parchment paper and cooking spray for the caramel.
- Make the Caramel: In a small saucepan, heat the sugar over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until the sugar melts and turns into a smooth amber liquid. Remove from heat, add the butter and stir until combined. Add the heavy cream and salt, stirring until smooth. Pour onto the prepared parchment paper plate and place in the freezer to solidify, around 20-30 mins.
- Make the Brownie Batter: In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter. Whisk in the sugar until smooth. Then whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Finally, whisk in the flour and salt until just combined. Try not to overmix
- Assemble: Cut the chilled caramel into small pieces. Gently fold most of the caramel into the brownie batter. Pour into the prepared pan. Arrange the remaining caramel pieces on top of the brownie batter. Sprinkle the entire top with some flaky sea salt.
- Bake: Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Cool in fridge or freezer for easy cutting. Then eat and enjoy.
These are not just brownies, they are a way of life.
A Final Thought
These brownies are the perfect way to say 'I love you' to yourself or someone special. Make sure you save this recipe. Or better yet, share it with the world.