Caramel Brownies

Caramel Brownies are the perfect combination of gooey, rich caramel and indulgent chocolatey goodness. These brownies have a luscious caramel layer sandwiched between a dense, fudgy chocolate base, creating a decadent dessert that’s hard to resist.

best Caramel Brownies

Why You Will Love This Recipe

There are many reasons why Caramel Brownies will become your new favorite dessert. First and foremost, they offer the perfect balance between rich chocolate and creamy caramel. The texture is nothing short of heavenly — soft and fudgy on the bottom, with a gooey caramel layer on top. Caramel and chocolate are a classic pairing, and these brownies take that combination to a whole new level of deliciousness.

This recipe is also highly customizable, allowing you to adjust the amount of caramel or chocolate to suit your preferences. Not only are they perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, but they’re also a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or family gatherings. Caramel Brownies are the type of dessert that people rave about and will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Caramel Brownies

Use Good Quality Chocolate: The base of these brownies is made with chocolate, so the quality matters. Opt for high-quality baking chocolate, or even semi-sweet chocolate chips, for a richer and more complex flavor.

Don’t Overmix the Brownie Batter: When mixing the brownie batter, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to dense, cake-like brownies instead of the soft, fudgy texture that you want. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.

Perfect Caramel Layer: When making the caramel, ensure that it cooks to the right temperature. If it’s too runny, it won’t set properly when baked. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, just look for the caramel to turn a golden brown color and thicken up slightly.

Allow the Brownies to Cool: While it may be tempting to dive into these caramel-loaded brownies immediately, it’s important to let them cool completely before cutting. This allows the caramel to set and prevents the brownies from falling apart.

Chill for Better Slicing: If you want clean, even slices, chill the brownies in the fridge for about an hour before cutting. This helps the caramel firm up, making it easier to cut perfect squares without any mess.

easy Caramel Brownies

Variations of Caramel Brownies

While the classic Caramel Brownies are delicious on their own, you can play around with various flavor combinations to make them your own:

  1. Salted Caramel Brownies: Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel layer before baking. The salty-sweet contrast will take the brownies to a whole new level of decadence.
  2. Nutty Caramel Brownies: Incorporate chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the brownie batter for an added crunch. The nuts will provide a lovely texture contrast to the smooth caramel and fudgy brownie.
  3. Caramel Swirl Brownies: Instead of layering the caramel, swirl it through the brownie batter for a marbled effect. This variation gives each bite a little extra burst of caramel in a fun, unexpected way.
  4. Double Chocolate Caramel Brownies: For an even richer chocolate flavor, use cocoa powder in addition to chocolate chips in the brownie batter. This will deepen the chocolate flavor and create an even more indulgent treat.
  5. Caramel Cheesecake Brownies: Add a swirl of cheesecake batter into the brownie mix for a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet caramel. This variation adds a smooth richness that complements the caramel perfectly.

How to Serve Caramel Brownies

Caramel Brownies are a versatile dessert that can be served in various ways to suit different occasions:

  1. As-is: The classic way to serve Caramel Brownies is straight from the pan, cut into squares. These brownies are perfectly delicious on their own and require no extra fuss.
  2. With Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, serve these brownies with a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream. The cool, creamy ice cream pairs beautifully with the warm, gooey brownies.
  3. Topped with Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the richness of the caramel and chocolate, making it a perfect addition for special occasions.
  4. With Fresh Berries: Balance the sweetness of the brownies by serving them with a side of fresh berries, like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. The tartness of the berries complements the sweetness of the caramel perfectly.
  5. On a Dessert Platter: Caramel Brownies make an excellent addition to a dessert platter. They’re perfect for sharing and pairing with other treats like cookies, cakes, or pastries at a party or gathering.

How to Store Caramel Brownies

These Caramel Brownies can be stored easily to ensure they stay fresh and delicious for days to come:

  1. Room Temperature: After cooling completely, store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for up to 3–4 days.
  2. Refrigeration: If you prefer your brownies to stay fresh a little longer, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container. They will last up to a week in the fridge.
  3. Freezing: If you want to keep these brownies for an extended period, freezing is a great option. Wrap the brownies tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or heat them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Caramel Brownies

Recipe FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought caramel for this recipe?

Yes, you can use store-bought caramel sauce to save time, but homemade caramel will add an extra layer of richness and flavor to your brownies. If you choose to use store-bought caramel, make sure it’s a good-quality variety.

2. Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Yes, you can easily make these Caramel Brownies gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure the flour blend you use is suitable for baking to get the best texture.

3. Can I make the caramel ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the caramel a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just reheat it gently before adding it to the brownie batter.

4. Can I use dark chocolate for the brownies?

Yes, dark chocolate will work well in this recipe. It will create a slightly more intense chocolate flavor, which complements the sweetness of the caramel beautifully.

5. Why is my caramel too runny?

If your caramel is too runny, it might not have been cooked long enough. Be sure to cook the caramel until it reaches a golden brown color and thickens to a syrup-like consistency. If you’re unsure, use a candy thermometer to reach the right temperature.

Yield: 20

Caramel Brownies

best Caramel Brownies

Caramel Brownies are the perfect combination of gooey, rich caramel and indulgent chocolatey goodness. These brownies have a luscious caramel layer sandwiched between a dense, fudgy chocolate base, creating a decadent dessert that’s hard to resist.

Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Caramel Layer

  • 1 batch of homemade caramels (set for 1-2 hours)

Brownie Layer

  • 200g dark chocolate (72%), coarsely chopped
  • 180g unsalted butter, cold
  • 15g Dutch process cocoa (or regular unsweetened cocoa), sifted
  • 3 large eggs (about 150g, room temperature)
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 100g light or dark brown sugar
  • 2g (½ tsp) kosher salt
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 100g all-purpose flour, sifted

Instructions

  1. Caramel Layer : Follow your homemade caramel recipe and set the caramel in a pan for 1-2 hours to firm up.
  2. Brownie Layer : Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9x13" (20x30cm) pan with parchment paper.
  3. In a heatproof bowl over simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water), melt together the dark chocolate and butter until smooth. You can also do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
  4. Sift in the cocoa powder and stir until well combined.
  5. In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
  6. Add the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, then mix in the salt and vanilla.
  7. Stir in the sifted flour by hand until smooth with no lumps.
  8. Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan, tapping the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
  9. Once the caramel has set and cooled, remove it from the fridge, cut it into small squares (about 8x8 grid), and scatter it over the brownie batter. Press them down lightly, or leave them sitting on top—they’ll melt as they bake.
  10. Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until the sides are set and a skewer inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
  11. Let the brownies cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before transferring to the fridge to cool completely.
  12. Once cooled, cut into squares with a sharp knife (wipe the knife between cuts for clean edges).

Nutrition Information

Yield

20

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 211Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 48mgSodium 46mgCarbohydrates 26gFiber 1gSugar 20gProtein 2g

TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Final Thoughts

Caramel Brownies are a decadent and irresistible treat that combines the best of chocolate and caramel in one indulgent dessert. With their fudgy texture, gooey caramel layer, and rich flavor, they’re perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them as-is, with ice cream, or as part of a dessert platter, they’ll always be a crowd-pleaser. With these tips and variations, you can easily customize the recipe to suit your tastes. So, gather your ingredients, get baking, and enjoy this irresistible dessert with family and friends!

Try other brownies recipes:

This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read the disclosure policy.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe