SALTED CARAMEL BROWNIES

Salted Caramel Brownies image

Sweet and salty at its best... these decadent salted caramel brownies are amazing! This recipe is rather labor intensive, but the decadent result is so worth it. The rich caramel in the center is sandwiched between layers of chocolate brownies. It slightly oozes out when you bite into them. The brownie is very fudgy and gooey....

Provided by Diane Atherton

Categories Cakes

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

CARAMEL
1 can(s) sweetened condensed milk, caramelized
1 c sugar
2 Tbsp brown sugar corn syrup (can use light corn syrup)
1/4 c water
1 c heavy cream
1 tsp Fleur de Sel
1/4 c sour cream
BROWNIE
1 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp dark unsweetened cocoa powder
11 oz quality dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 c unsalted butter
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 c firmly packed light brown sugar
5 eggs, room temperatrue
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp Fleur de Sel (this is a coarse salt, see note below) if unable to find, use a coarse sea salt)
1 tsp coarse sugar

Steps:

1. NOTE: Fleur de Sel is a rare and expensive form of sea salt that is harvested in parts of France. The name fleur de sel is from the French for "flower of salt."
2. Caramelize the sweetened condensed milk by immersing a closed can of sweetened condensed milk on its side in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Simmer or light boil for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, topping off with water as needed. NOTE: Be careful and don't allow water to dry out; it can explode. Remove from heat and cool thoroughly before opening. DO NOT open the can while it's still hot. The condensed milk should be thick and nice caramel color. You can do this a day ahead.
3. Combine caramelized milk, sugar, corn syrup and water in a medium saucepan.
4. Heat over a medium/high heat, stirring continuously until it reaches a deep amber color about 20 minutes. It will also be pretty thick.
5. Remove from heat and slowly stir in heavy cream.
6. Then add Fleur de Sel.
7. Whisk in sour cream.
8. Set aside to cool.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 9 x 13-inch baking pan with Bakers Choice spray or butter. Line bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray parchment paper with Bakers Choice or lightly butter; set aside.
10. In a medium bowl; whisk together flour, salt and cocoa powder; set aside.
11. Place chocolate and butter in a bowl of double boiler.
12. Set over simmering water, stirring occasionally until completely melted and combined.
13. Turn heat off and leave the bowl over hot water; add both sugar and brown sugar. Whisk until completely combined. Remove bowl from hot water. It should be room temperature. If not, allow to cool a few minutes.
14. When chocolate is at room temperature; add three eggs and whisk just until combined.
15. Add the remaining two eggs and whisk just until combined.
16. Add vanilla and stir until combined being careful not to overbeat the batter at this point or you will have a dry brownie.
17. Gently fold dry ingredients into chocolate mixture.
18. Again, do not over mix. NOTE: All this mixing is done by hand.
19. Spread 1/2 of the brownie mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan.
20. In a zig-zag fashion, drizzle/pour caramel over brownie mixture (this mixture is thick), taking care to not allow the caramel to touch sides of the pan as it will burn. Spread evenly over brownie mixture, again ensuring caramel does not touch pan. Drop heaping spoonfuls of remaining brownie mixture over caramel mixture.
21. Spread evenly over caramel mixture to edges of pan.
22. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Top will begin to look like it's drying out a little around the edges when done.
23. Remove from oven. Sprinkle top of brownies with 1 1/2 tsp Fleur de Sel and 1 tsp coarse sugar.
24. Allow browines to completely cool before cutting. Store wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 4 days.
25. Check these places to order the Fleur de Sel: spicesage.com, iherb.com, www.williams-sonoma.com, www.amazon.com, www.igourmet.com