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    TaraTeaspoon » Desserts » Brownies + Bars » Brownies

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    Published: by

    Gooey Caramel Brownies

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    Gooey Caramel Brownies stack pin
    gooey caramel brownies square pin
    How to make gooey caramel brownies pin

    Melty caramel and plenty of chocolate make these gooey caramel brownies irresistible. Make them salted caramel brownies if you want too!


    Cut brownies overhead.
    Jump to:
    • What are the BEST brownies?
    • How to make caramel brownies
    • Top tip
    • Make salted caramel brownies
    • Gooey Caramel Brownies (Turtle Brownies)

    What are the BEST brownies?

    When it comes to brownies, there seem to be an unlimited number of options. Here are some of my favorites.

    • Ultimate Chocolate Brownies
    • Think Outside of the Box Brownies
    • Peppermint Cloud Brownies
    • Fudgy Squash Brownies
    • The Ultimate Cookie Stuffed Brownies

    But even with all these choices, very few combinations are better than caramel, chocolate, and a dash of nuts! And I think the only way to describe them are Ooey Gooey.

    Using my recipe, you can make amazing homemade brownies with a caramel swirl. I also like to throw on the pecan bits for extra crunch!

    These caramel brownies also go by the name Turtle Brownies because of the combo of chocolate, caramel and pecans.

    No need for a cake mix!

    I prefer to use this combination of dry ingredients instead of a boxed cake mix for these gooey caramel brownies. A lot of recipes modify a chocolate cake mix and use that for the batter, but I find I get a better chocolate flavor by making my own.

    All you need are basic baking ingredients like cocoa, confectioners' sugar, and flour. With the addition of a special ingredient: instant dry milk.

    The instant dry milk gives the batter a rich flavor and the perfect texture.

    caramel chocolate brownies with pecans in a stack

    How to make caramel brownies

    This brownie recipe takes just a few simple steps.

    • Prepare pan with a parchment lining
    • Melt caramel and milk
    • Make brownie batter
    • Set aside ¼ of the brownie batter
    • Press ¾ brownie batter into the pan and bake
    • Cover base with caramel, remaining batter, chips and nuts
    • Bake until cooked through, cool, enjoy

    I use a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. You can also use a glass baking dish. A standard quarter sheet pan is the perfect size if you have one.

    When you pour that delectable layer of melted caramel, gently spread it to cover the entire brownie base.

    Make little patties of the remaining batter to cover the caramel. (Be careful--the pan will be still hot!).

    Top tip

    One tip for dropping the extra batter: I use cooking spray to coat my hands. That way I can flatten the brownie batter and lay it out in interesting patterns, all while keeping my hands from being covered in brownies!

    Caramel brownies how to. Unbaked brownies in parchment lined pan

    Tip:  I use metal binder clips to hold the parchment to the side of my pan. That way the parchment flap doesn't fall into my brownie. 

    Use the parchment flaps to lift the cooled brownies out of the pan and onto a cutting board. 

    Make salted caramel brownies

    With just the addition of some flaky sea salt, you can make this salty sweet variation. 

    • Make the gooey caramel brownies as directed.
    • Add flaked sea salt before baking brownies the second time.

    I add the flakes of sea salt (I use Maldon salt) before I bake the brownies the second time. Sprinkle the salt on top at the same time you are adding the chips and nuts. 

    caramel chocolate brownies square

    Gooey Caramel Brownies (Turtle Brownies)

    Tara Teaspoon
    Melty caramel and plenty of chocolate make these Gooey Caramel Brownies irresistible. Make salted caramel brownies too!
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Baking
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 to 16 squares
    Calories 325 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9 x 13 inch pan

    Ingredients
      

    Caramel Filling

    • 1 11 oz bag Kraft Caramels (about 38 caramels) unwrapped
    • ⅓ cup evaporated milk

    Brownies

    • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 ¾ cups confectioners' sugar
    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa
    • ⅓ cup instant nonfat dry milk, such as Carnation
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 10 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
    • ½ cup evaporated milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
    • ¼ cup chopped pecans

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 350ºF. Line a greased 9-by-13-inch pan with foil or parchment paper, allowing it to hang over two sides. Set aside.
    • In a saucepan over low heat, melt caramels in evaporated milk, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool while you make the brownies.
    • In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, confectioners' sugar, cocoa, dry milk, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine well. Add the melted butter, evaporated milk and vanilla and stir with an electric mixer until well combined. Scrape sides of bowl to keep everything evenly incorporated.
    • With greased hands or the back of a spoon, press ¾ of the brownie batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes and remove from the oven.
    • Pour melted caramel mixture evenly over brownie base, gently spreading to cover if needed. Use greased hands to make tablespoons of the remaining brownie batter into flat disks. Place the disks over the caramel leaving some caramel showing (they do not need to be touching but can!). Sprinkle top with chocolate chips and pecans. Bake until batter is just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes more.
    • Let brownies cool completely before removing from pan. Run a knife around the edges to loosen from pan. Use the parchment hangover to lift brownies out of pan to a cutting board; cut into squares and serve.

    Notes

    • Make these salted caramel brownies by adding flaked sea salt on top with the pecans and chocolate chips.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 6gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 244mgPotassium: 286mgFiber: 3gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 415IUVitamin C: 0.6mgCalcium: 126mgIron: 1.9mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

    Try more easy brownie recipes: 

    • Slutty Brownies
    • Cream Cheese Brownies

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    • The Best Classic Gingerbread Cookies
    • Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Chocolate Chips
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    Tara in kitchen making salad

    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Recipe, food styling, photography: Tara Teaspoon. Also written by Anne Marie Miller. Original 6/19

    « Pasta With Bacon, Tomato and Yellow Squash
    The Best Frosting For Brownies »

    Filed Under: Brownies, Brownies + Bars, Chocolate, Desserts Tagged With: brownies, caramel, chocolate, gooey, melt in your mouth, salted caramel

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anne Marie Miller says

      June 27, 2019 at 12:23 pm

      Literally the BEST BROWNIES I've ever had. Can't wait to make them again!!!

      Reply
    2. Jacquelyn Hastert says

      July 09, 2019 at 11:49 am

      Perfect for anyone who loves brownies! I will have to make a batch of each of these, one with salt and one without salt.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2019 at 10:11 am

        Oh yes! for those salty-sweet lovers and just the sweet lovers!

        Reply
    3. Tatiana says

      July 09, 2019 at 1:30 pm

      They look absolutely fabulous! You remind me I have not made any brownies for over a year – such a terrible mistake!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2019 at 10:11 am

        haha! Happy I could give you a delicious reminder.

        Reply
    4. Chef Dennis says

      July 09, 2019 at 2:45 pm

      Wow, you had me at brownies and the caramel is an added bonus! Thanks for your tip about the metal binder clips, that will certainly make life easier.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis says

        July 09, 2019 at 2:47 pm

        OMG I forgot to rate this amazing recipe! Thanks again for sharing it with us.

        Reply
        • Tara says

          July 12, 2019 at 10:09 am

          You're the best!! Thanks Chef

          Reply
    5. Aleta says

      July 10, 2019 at 10:20 am

      Yummmmm!!! Chocolate and caramel are basically the best combination on earth. Toss in some EXTRA chocolate and pecans? Sold!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2019 at 10:06 am

        Do it!! haha. Enjoy

        Reply
    6. Eva says

      July 10, 2019 at 4:46 pm

      Oh my. Salted caramel brownies with pecans. Heaven! I feel like I need to make them asap because this is just too much awesomeness all in one pan. Thank you for the interesting tip on using dry milk!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2019 at 10:05 am

        The dry milk gives the treat a great texture and flavor! Yay!

        Reply
    7. Danielle says

      July 10, 2019 at 5:00 pm

      I seriously doubt there is someone who can resist these goodies. The texture is impeccable - I can't wait to try how they taste!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2019 at 10:05 am

        Haha! thanks! I agree.

        Reply
    8. Veena Azmanov says

      July 12, 2019 at 10:17 am

      Best for a party and best for our loved ones. These looks delicious and yum.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2019 at 10:19 am

        For sure! Thanks!

        Reply
    9. Anna says

      July 12, 2019 at 12:40 pm

      The best looking brownies I've seen in a long time! That texture looks like a dream and I love your tip with paper clips to hold the baking parchment in place! Genius!!!!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 14, 2019 at 8:42 am

        Thanks! Yes the clips are so helpful!

        Reply
    10. Sharon says

      July 12, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      Give me ALL the brownies if they are loaded as these brownies are! Chocolate, caramel, nuts. All the good stuff.

      Reply
    11. Analida Braeger says

      July 13, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      I could probably finish the whole tray of these in a day, these look dangerously delicious !

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 14, 2019 at 8:37 am

        I’m with you! Haha

        Reply
    12. Kelly Anthony says

      July 14, 2019 at 9:17 am

      My favorite kind of brownies are ooey gooey and these look like the perfect combination of salty and sweet.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 15, 2019 at 12:14 pm

        Haha, me too!

        Reply
    13. Sara says

      July 14, 2019 at 10:47 pm

      Brownies are my weakness. I have never tried to make caramel ones but your directions are so easy to follow that I am going to give it a go!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 15, 2019 at 12:14 pm

        Oh excellent! I think you'll love them!

        Reply
    14. Mia says

      January 05, 2021 at 10:14 pm

      This recipe is our grandson's very favorite! it is all it takes to put a smile on his face!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        January 09, 2021 at 8:10 pm

        Ahh that's so awesome!!

        Reply
    15. Tawnie Kroll says

      August 27, 2021 at 11:44 am

      I'm obsessed with all things chocolate and caramel and can't get enough of these brownies! SOOO good! Thank you!

      Reply
    16. Gina says

      August 27, 2021 at 1:20 pm

      Sold on anything with a gooey component to it and these don't disappoint!

      Reply
    17. Tara says

      August 27, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      These brownies look so good!! I especially love the combination of caramel and pecans. Such a great texture.

      Reply
    18. Pam says

      August 27, 2021 at 1:58 pm

      I had a similar recipe years ago that I loved, but lost. I was so excited to find yours!!!

      Reply
    19. Kushigalu says

      August 27, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      Drooling over these delicious brownies. One of the best that I have seen. Thanks for sharing. Pinned to try those soon.

      Reply

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