Boxed Brownie Mix Caramel Brownies
Chewy brownies with a streak of melted caramel and pecans in the middle.
Servings 16 squares
Cost 5
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix designed for 8-inch pan I tested with Aldi and Duncan Hines Chewy
- 1-2 large eggs OR amount listed on box
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil OR amount listed on box
- ¼ cup water OR amount listed on box
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 150 grams Kraft Caramel Bits (around 1 cup) or equivalent other caramel (23 Werther's Original Chewy)** Feel free to use more caramel
- 5 teaspoons heavy cream
- ⅓ cup chopped and toasted pecans
- ¼ teaspoon Maldon Sea Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8-inch square pan with nonstick foil or parchment or line with regular foil and grease bottom only.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare brownie mix as directed on the box using egg(s), oil and water as called for. Stir in some extra chocolate chips if desired.
- Spread a thin layer (10 oz, if you have a scale) over the bottom of the pan. Cover the bowl with the remaining brownie mix and set it aside. Bake the thin layer for 18-20 minutes at 325F or until just barely cooked. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes. Transfer to the freezer and freeze for about 15 minutes.
- Combine the caramels and cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and heat again at 50% power, stopping every 30 seconds and stirring until caramel is smooth and creamy. Alternatively, melt caramels and cream in a saucepan. Stir pecans into melted caramel.
- Spread the caramel mixture over the cold brownie base, keeping about a ½ inch distance from the sides. The caramel should begin to firm up from the cold temperature of the brownie base. If for some reason it doesn't, chill briefly so that the caramel is firm.
- Spread reserved brownie batter over the now firm caramel layer. Sprinkle top with extra chocolate chip or pecans if desired, then bake for another 30 to 45 minutes at 325 F, then let cool slightly before chilling. Also, don't forget to sprinkle with sea salt if you have some!
- Lift from the pan and cut into squares.
Notes
You can use more caramel if you like. 150 grams is the minimum amount and will not go all the way to the edge. I usually trim the edges, so I didn't want it to go all the way.
The bake time for the second bake will depending on brand, but if you keep the temperature at 325 it will take at least 30 minutes. My brownies were less gooey and still soft and fudgy at a little over 40 minutes.
If you end up doubling the caramel and baking in a larger pan, the second bake time will most likely be around 25 minutes because the batter will be spread thin.