If you’re a fan of sweet and salty, these Salted Caramel Brownies are going to blow your mind. Picture this: rich, fudgy brownies topped with gooey, golden caramel, then finished off with a sprinkle of sea salt. It’s the perfect balance of indulgent sweetness and a touch of savory salt that will leave you reaching for seconds (and maybe thirds!). These brownies are the kind of treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Trust me, you’re going to fall in love with these!
Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Brownies
Sweet and Salty Perfection: The combination of rich, gooey caramel and the slight crunch of sea salt takes these brownies to a whole new level. It’s like a flavor explosion in every bite!
Fudgy and Delicious: These brownies are so moist and fudgy, they practically melt in your mouth. The caramel just adds to that perfect, indulgent texture.
Easy to Make: You won’t need any fancy tools or techniques to make these brownies. They come together quickly and with minimal fuss.
A Showstopper: Whether you’re bringing them to a party or serving them at a family gathering, these brownies are bound to be the star of the show. Everyone loves the sweet and salty combo!
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can make these in advance and they’ll stay delicious for days, making them perfect for prepping ahead of time for a party or a week of snacks.
Ingredients in Salted Caramel Brownies
These brownies are made with simple ingredients, but together they create the most decadent dessert! Here’s what you’ll need:
Butter: The base of the brownie batter. It adds richness and depth of flavor.
Sugar: You’ll need both granulated sugar and brown sugar to get the right balance of sweetness.
Cocoa Powder: For that deep, chocolatey flavor that makes brownies so irresistible.
Eggs: The key to a rich, fudgy texture.
Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla to enhance all those delicious flavors.
Flour: For structure and that perfect chewy texture.
Salt: A little salt in the brownie batter helps balance out the sweetness.
Caramel Sauce: You can use store-bought caramel sauce, or you can make your own if you’re feeling adventurous.
Sea Salt: For the finishing touch, a sprinkle of sea salt makes all the difference, adding that perfect salty bite.
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a baking dish with parchment paper.
Make the Brownie Batter: In a bowl, melt the butter and mix with the sugars until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla, then stir in the cocoa powder and flour. Mix until well combined.
Bake the Brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Add the Caramel: Once the brownies are baked, let them cool for about 10 minutes. Then, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top, making sure to spread it evenly.
Finish with Sea Salt: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel for that sweet and salty balance.
Let Cool and Slice: Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing them into squares.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Brownies
With Ice Cream: Serve warm brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
With Whipped Cream: Top with freshly whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch.
As a Snack: These brownies are great on their own—perfect for a sweet afternoon treat or after-dinner snack.
With a Cup of Coffee: Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or espresso for the ultimate pairing.
Additional Tips
Don’t Overbake: To get that fudgy texture, make sure you don’t overbake the brownies. They should be soft in the middle.
Caramel Storage: If you’re using store-bought caramel sauce, make sure it’s thick and not too runny. If it’s too thin, it may soak into the brownies instead of sitting on top.
Make Your Own Caramel: If you want to make your own caramel, simply melt sugar in a saucepan, then add butter and cream. Stir until smooth and golden!
Cutting Brownies: Let the brownies cool completely before cutting them. This ensures clean, neat squares without the caramel spilling everywhere.
Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze them for longer storage.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use homemade caramel instead of store-bought?
A1: Yes! Homemade caramel adds an extra touch of richness, and it’s super easy to make.
Q2: Can I use a different type of salt?
A2: While sea salt is ideal, you can use flaky kosher salt as a substitute for the perfect salty contrast.
Q3: Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
A3: Yes! You can make them a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Q4: How do I reheat leftover brownies?
A4: To reheat, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or heat them in a low oven (about 300°F) until warmed through.
Q5: Can I freeze these brownies?
A5: Yes! Freeze them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. When you’re ready to eat, let them thaw at room temperature.
Q6: Can I add nuts to the brownies?
A6: Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans would make a great addition to the brownies for some crunch.
Q7: Can I make these brownies without caramel?
A7: Of course! You can skip the caramel if you prefer a simpler brownie, but the salted caramel really takes them to the next level.
Q8: Can I use unsalted butter?
A8: Yes, but make sure to add a pinch more salt to the batter to balance the sweetness.
Q9: Can I double the recipe?
A9: Definitely! Just make sure to use a larger pan and adjust the baking time as needed.
Q10: Can I make these brownies gluten-free?
A10: Yes, you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend for regular flour to make these brownies gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
Salted Caramel Brownies are the ultimate dessert—decadent, rich, and with just the right balance of sweet and salty. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just treating yourself, they’re sure to impress. So, grab your ingredients, heat up the oven, and get ready to indulge in these irresistible brownies. Enjoy!
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Salted Caramel Brownies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These fudgy, chocolatey salted caramel brownies are rich, indulgent, and incredibly easy to make! Made with Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate, gooey caramel sauce, and flaky sea salt, they deliver the perfect balance of sweet and salty in every bite. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream for an extra treat!
Ingredients
- 1 (11.5 oz) bag 60% Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup salted caramel sauce, divided
- Flaky sea salt, to taste
Instructions
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Melt the Chocolate & Butter:
- In a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl over simmering water), melt the chocolate chips and butter, stirring occasionally.
- Once fully melted, whisk in both sugars until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
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Prepare the Pan & Batter:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Whisk in eggs and vanilla to the cooled chocolate mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt over the chocolate mixture. Gently fold until just combined.
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Layer the Caramel:
- Pour half of the brownie batter into the pan, smoothing the top.
- Drizzle ½ cup caramel sauce evenly over the batter, avoiding the edges.
- Carefully pour the remaining brownie batter on top, smoothing gently.
- Drizzle the rest of the caramel in a pattern of your choice. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
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Bake & Cool:
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway.
- Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let cool completely before cutting.
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Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve warm with whipped cream, ice cream, or extra caramel sauce.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing to keep the brownies fudgy instead of cakey.
- Let the caramel cool slightly before drizzling to prevent it from sinking into the batter.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg