These salted caramel brownies are the perfect blend of sweet and salty. With a rich, fudgy base and a swirl of homemade caramel topped with a sprinkle of sea salt, they’re an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you’re new to baking or an expert, this recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Key Benefits of Salted Caramel Brownies
If you’re a fan of decadent desserts that hit the perfect balance of flavors, these salted caramel brownies are a must-try. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Rich and Fudgy Texture: The brownie base is moist, dense, and packed with chocolatey goodness, making every bite melt in your mouth. It’s the ultimate comfort treat.
- Sweet and Salty Perfection: The swirl of caramel sauce is the star of the show, with its sweet richness perfectly complemented by the sea salt topping. This combo brings an exciting twist to your usual brownie experience.
- Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet taste, these brownies are simple to prepare. You don’t need any fancy techniques—just mix, bake, and enjoy.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family gathering or a special occasion, these homemade salted caramel brownies are always a crowd-pleaser. Serve them as an after-dinner treat or pack them in a lunchbox for a sweet surprise.
- Customizable for Your Taste: Want a little extra crunch? Try adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts. Prefer a darker flavor? Swap in dark chocolate for the base. The possibilities are endless!
These brownies deliver the best of both worlds: rich chocolate, creamy caramel, and the perfect salty kick. Get ready for a dessert that’s sure to impress!
Ingredients for Salted Caramel Brownies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible salted caramel brownies. Each ingredient plays a key role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and texture.
All-purpose flour – Provides structure to the brownies, balancing chewiness and fudginess. Avoid substitutions for the best texture.
Cocoa powder – Contributes rich chocolate flavor, with unsweetened cocoa being essential for the right sweetness balance.
Leavening (Baking powder) – Helps the brownies rise slightly, ensuring the right density. Avoid using baking soda as a substitute.
Unsalted butter – Adds moisture and richness, with better control over salt content when using unsalted butter. Salted butter can be used, but it requires reducing the added salt.
Granulated sugar – Provides sweetness and moisture, which is key to keeping the brownies soft and chewy.
Eggs – Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the brownies, using large eggs for the best consistency.
Vanilla extract – Adds a warm, subtle sweetness that complements the caramel flavor.
Caramel sauce – The key ingredient for the sweet, gooey caramel flavor, either homemade or store-bought.
Instructions for Making Salted Caramel Brownies
Now that you’ve gathered all your ingredients, let’s get baking! These salted caramel brownies are simple to make, and each step is key to achieving that perfect fudgy texture and rich flavor. Here’s how to do it:
Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by greasing or lining it with parchment paper.
Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each, then stir in vanilla extract.
Combine the dry ingredients: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to ensure even mixing and remove clumps.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Add the chocolate chips: Stir in semi-sweet chocolate chips to distribute them evenly in the batter.
Bake the brownies: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Add the caramel swirl: Drizzle caramel sauce over the brownies and swirl it in with a toothpick or skewer right after baking.
Finish with sea salt: Sprinkle sea salt over the warm brownies to enhance the caramel flavor and balance the sweetness.
Cool and serve: Let the brownies cool for 10 minutes before slicing to help them set and make cutting them easier.
Pro Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Brownies
To help you make these salted caramel brownies even more amazing, I’ve gathered a few pro tips that will take your baking skills to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a first-timer, these tips will ensure your brownies turn out rich, fudgy, and full of flavor every time.
Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your butter, caramel, and chocolate chips makes a huge difference. Opt for high-quality butter (unsalted for better control) and a good-quality caramel sauce. The richer the ingredients, the more decadent your brownies will be.
Don’t overmix the batter: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing the batter can lead to dense, tough brownies, and nobody wants that! A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
Check the baking time: Every oven is different, so start checking your brownies a few minutes before the recommended time. Insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, your brownies are done. Don’t worry if the toothpick isn’t completely clean; a fudgy brownie will still have a little bit of batter sticking to it.
Caramel timing: Drizzle the caramel sauce over the brownies right after they come out of the oven. This allows it to melt into the top of the brownies, creating that irresistible swirl. If the caramel is too thick, gently warm it up before using it to make drizzling easier.
Let them cool: Resist the urge to dig in right away! Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before cutting them. This will help them set and prevent them from falling apart.
Sea salt matters: The sea salt topping is not just for looks—it enhances the sweetness of the caramel and adds a savory kick that balances the rich, chocolaty flavors. Don’t skip it!
Cutting tips: For clean slices, use a sharp knife. If the brownies are too sticky, run the knife under warm water before cutting. This helps create smooth, clean edges.
With these pro tips, you’ll have everything you need to bake perfect salted caramel brownies every time! They’ll be gooey, fudgy, and absolutely irresistible—just the way they should be.
Variations for Your Salted Caramel Brownies
If you’re looking to mix things up and add a little twist to your salted caramel brownies, you’re in luck! There are endless possibilities to customize this recipe. Whether you want to try different flavors, textures, or toppings, here are a few delicious variations to explore.
Nutty Brownies: Add some crunch by stirring chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the batter. Nuts pair wonderfully with the rich caramel and chocolate, creating a delightful contrast in texture.
Chocolate Chip Swirl: For extra chocolatey goodness, fold in some chocolate chips or chunks right into the batter before baking. This will give you pockets of melted chocolate in every bite!
Peanut Butter Swirl: If you love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, swirl in some creamy peanut butter into the brownie batter. It adds a rich, nutty flavor that complements the caramel beautifully.
Caramel & Toffee Crunch: For an added texture boost, sprinkle some toffee bits or crushed caramel candies on top of the brownies before baking. These bits will melt and caramelize, giving your brownies an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
Serving Suggestions for Your Salted Caramel Brownies
When it comes to serving your salted caramel brownies, there are a variety of ways to elevate the experience. Whether you’re hosting a special occasion, a cozy family night, or simply indulging in a sweet treat, these ideas will make your brownies shine!
With a Scoop of Ice Cream: Serve your brownies warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or salted caramel ice cream for the ultimate dessert combo. The creamy cold ice cream perfectly balances the rich, gooey brownies, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Drizzle with More Caramel: For those who love an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle some extra caramel sauce over the brownies before serving. It intensifies the caramel flavor and adds a glossy, indulgent finish.
Top with Whipped Cream: A dollop of fresh whipped cream on top of your brownies adds lightness and a creamy texture. To enhance the flavor, you can add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of vanilla extract to the cream.
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FAQs for Salted Caramel Brownies
How can I make my salted caramel brownies extra fudgy?
To make your salted caramel brownies extra fudgy, try reducing the baking time slightly or increasing the amount of butter and brown sugar in the batter. These ingredients help create a richer, denser texture. You can also underbake them by a few minutes, so they stay soft and gooey in the center.
Can I use store-bought caramel for these brownies?
Yes, you can definitely use store-bought caramel sauce if you’re short on time or prefer a quick option. However, homemade caramel adds a richer and complex flavor, which pairs beautifully with the brownies. If using store-bought, look for a high-quality, thick caramel sauce to achieve the best results.
Can I make these brownies without the sea salt?
While the sea salt enhances the contrast between the sweet caramel and the rich chocolate, you can skip it if you prefer. However, the salty-sweet combination is what makes these brownies so irresistible, so I recommend giving it a try at least once!
salted caramel brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This will make it easier to remove the brownies once they’re baked.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the ingredients are evenly distributed and eliminates any clumps.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix as this can affect the texture of the brownies.
- Add the chocolate chips: Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter. This will give your brownies that extra chocolaty goodness.
- Bake the brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Keep in mind that the brownies will continue to cook as they cool, so be careful not to overbake.
- Add the caramel swirl: As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top. Use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl the caramel into the brownie batter. This creates that luscious caramel flavor with every bite.
- Finish with sea salt: Sprinkle the sea salt over the brownies while they are still warm. The salt enhances the caramel and balances the sweetness, giving the brownies that irresistible sweet-salty flavor.
- Cool and serve: Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing into squares. This helps them set properly and makes them easier to cut.