Caramel Brownies

Many years ago when I went to visit a dear friend after she had just had a baby, she had a pan of these amazing brownies on her counter. She was such a kind soul, that even after just giving birth she was willing to share these with me. After just trying one little slice, I knew I had to have the recipe.

These Caramel Brownies are worth all the hype in the world. While I don’t usually make recipes from box mixes, this is the perfect exception. They are easy and fantastic. You will not be able to resist going back for seconds and thirds.

How to Make Caramel Brownies

This caramel brownie recipe is truly the best, simply irresistible! Here is a brief overview of how to make caramel brownies. For the full recipe and all of the measurements, scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

1. Make the caramel sauce. You start by melting some caramel with evaporated milk. Be sure to stir often to avoid burning it.
2. Make the brownie batter. Combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla. Your batter won’t have the consistency of a typical brownie batter. It’s a little more like dough.
3. Press first layer into pan. Divide the batter in half and spread half of it into a greased 9 by 13 baking pan. It will be thin and that is ok.
4. Bake the first layer. Bake for about 8 minutes.
5. Add the caramel. Spread it evenly on the first brownie layer and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
6. Add the second brownie layer. Add globs of the remaining batter to the pan, don’t try to spread it evenly just drop it in globs over the caramel layer.
7. Bake until set.

How to Tell When Brownies are Done

When the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan, they are almost done. You will also notice some cracking on top of the brownies. If you like your brownies more gooey and moist, remove them from the oven toward the minimal suggested baking time.

Variations

• Make it salted. Add kosher salt to make salted caramel brownies. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons kosher salt on top of the caramel sauce before topping with the brownie batter. I have the best salted caramel brownie recipe that comes together in the crockpot.
• Switch the chips. Use dark chocolate, semi-sweet, milk chocolate chips, or a combination. Mini m&m’s are also a colorful and fun addition.
• Add nuts. Layer 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans on top of the caramel sauce with the chocolate chips.
• Add coconut. Toss in 1 cup of shredded coconut when you add the chocolate chips.

Tips and Tricks

• Use a quality baking pan. I love the one from USA Baking that I have linked above, but if you are loyal to your baking dish, fantastic! Just keep in mind that the baking dish does matter, and can often impact how a recipe like this turns out.
• Use Kraft Caramel Bits instead of individually wrapped caramels. That eliminates the step of unwrapping each individual caramel.
• Double check your can of evaporated milk. It is the same size and labeling as sweetened condensed milk, which I do not recommend for this recipe. It is very easy to buy the wrong can.