How to Make the Best Salted Caramel Brownies at Home
There’s a moment when you take a bite of Salted Caramel Brownies, and everything just clicks. The rich, fudgy chocolate brownie melts in your mouth, and then the warm, smooth caramel layer hits your taste buds, creating the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Servings: 16 Slices
Calories: 300kcal
Ingredients
For The Brownies:
- 1 ⅔ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups butter melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ oz 70% dark chocolate chopped
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder optional but enhances the chocolate flavor!
For The Salted Caramel:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup butter room temp
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream room temp
- 1 ¾ teaspoons coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure easy removal later.
- In a large bowl, whisk together unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract, stirring until the batter is rich and glossy.
- Mix in the all-purpose flour, salt, and optional espresso powder until everything is combined into a thick, decadent batter.
- Fold in the chopped dark chocolate for extra gooeyness.
- Transfer the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow the brownies to cool fully on a wire rack.
- While the brownies cool, make the salted caramel: in a medium saucepan, start by melting a small amount of the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Gradually add the remaining sugar, little by little, ensuring each addition fully melts before adding more. This process helps prevent the sugar from burning and ensures a smooth caramel.
- Once all the sugar is melted and golden, add the butter, stirring until fully incorporated.
- Slowly pour in the cream and stir continuously until the mixture thickens into a smooth, silky caramel.
- Remove from heat and stir in the coarse sea salt.
- Once the brownies have cooled and the caramel is ready, pour the caramel over the brownies, spreading it evenly.
- Let the caramel set for a few minutes, then slice your brownies into squares. If you like, sprinkle a little more sea salt on top for that perfect finishing touch!
- Enjoy while still warm for the best flavor.
Notes
- Don’t rush the sugar melting process for the caramel; add it slowly and stir constantly to keep it from burning.
- Make sure your brownies are fully cooled before adding the caramel, otherwise, it might slide right off!
- Keep an eye on the baking time; underbaking slightly is better than overbaking, so your brownies stay fudgy.
- Don’t skip the sea salt, it's the key to balancing the sweetness with that perfect salty touch!