Sweet, Salty, Chewy, and Crunchy Brownies
I seriously have no idea what to call these things. If I listed all the ingredients in them, they’d become something along the lines of “Pretzel, Peanut, Salted Caramel Brownies”. But I kind of like describing them by the contrasting aspects of those ingredients. Hence “Sweet, Salty, Chewy, Crunchy Brownies”. My friend M preferred to just call them “Super Brownies”. Whatever you decide to call them, they’re awesome.
I whipped these up for a little gathering of friends and we could barely put a dent in them! They’re very rich and indulgent, so even though I had cut the 8×8 pan of brownies into 16 pieces, a bunch of us still prefered to share one brownie. Definitely plan to have a cup of cold milk nearby when you enjoy these.
Sweet, Salty, Chewy, and Crunchy Brownies
Yield: 16
Ingredients:
1 batch brownies (made from mix or scratch)
1 (11 ounce) bag Kraft Caramel Bits, or about 3/4 of a bag of Kraft Caramels, unwrapped
1/4 cup half & half
1/2 tsp sea salt
12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp shortening
1 cup mini pretzels, slightly broken
1 cup lightly salted peanuts, roughly chopped
Directions:
Line an 8x8 or 9x9 pan with foil all the way to the top and brush with oil. Make the brownies and cool completely.
Melt the caramels with the half and half in a large bowl in the microwave on high heat. Stir every thirty seconds until melted. Pour over cooled brownies. Sprinkle sea salt on top of caramel. Let cool until set.
Melt the chocolate and shortening in a large bowl in the microwave on high heat. Stir every thirty seconds until melted. Mix in the pretzels and peanuts. Spread over brownies. Cool and serve.
Recipe adapted from The Cooking Photographer
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I do the same thing on Friday nights. Totally acceptable. 🙂 The cake looks gorgeous!
beantownbaker — February 24th, 2013 @ 10:33 am
Glad I’m not the only one 😉
This looks amazing!!! Great choice of convenience item to make, and what better way to use it than in a layer cake!?!?
Beautiful cake, Jen! I’ve never heard of a filling made from dried fruit, either. Must try it soon!
beantownbaker — February 24th, 2013 @ 10:34 am
It was a lot better than I was expecting for sure!
Sounds like a great combinations of flavors. Layer cakes are the best!
beantownbaker — February 24th, 2013 @ 10:34 am
I agree, layer cakes are the best
Those are some delicious flavors going on. It looks great, too.
haha, “forced” your friends to eat this deliciousness? tough life! sounds amazing 🙂
beantownbaker — February 24th, 2013 @ 10:34 am
Ha no kidding. The life of being friends with a baker…
Looks delicious!!
Very nice, cake