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Gooey and fudgy, these caramel brownies have a thick layer of caramel and chocolate chips running through the middle. You get the perfect combination of chocolate and caramel with every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Family Favorite! I have been making these brownies for years. It is a favorite of the entire Wilkes family. And all of their friends, especially when my boys were teenagers.
Quick and Easy. The best part is they are so easy to make. You use a cake mix and store bought caramels. The hardest part of the recipe is unwrapping all of the caramels, or you can skip that step and use Kraft Caramel Bits. Now there is no excuse not to make them!
Ingredients Needed
- German Chocolate Cake Mix. I prefer Duncan Hines cake mix.
- Caramels, about 50 wrapped pieces or 1 bag of Kraft Caramel Bits
- Evaporated Milk
- Butter, salted
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
How to Make Caramel Brownies
- Melt caramels and evaporated milk in a small saucepan over medium low heat. You can also melt in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, be careful not to burn.
- Combine cake mix, butter, and evaporated milk and stir to combine.
- Press 1/2 of the batter mixture into bottom of prepared 9×13 inch pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F oven for 6 minutes.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of partially baked brownie batter layer.
- Pour caramel mixture over batter and chocolate chips.
- Place remaining pieces dough on top of caramel layer(will not completely cover) The dough will come together as the brownies bake.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-18 minutes.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack before cutting.
Tips from leigh Anne
- For salted caramel brownies, sprinkle the top of the caramel layer with some flakey sea salt.
- Allow brownies to cool before cutting. I find using a disposable plastic knife to cut the brownies gives you the cleanest cut.
- Be sure to use chewy caramel candies. I like Kraft the best. You don’t want a hard caramel candy.
- You can add some chopped pecans to the brownie mixture if you like nuts in your brownies.
- Don’t overmix your brownie batter. I just do it by hand in a bowl and don’t use a mixer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use caramel sauce instead of caramels?
I have never tried it but I am guessing it would work.
What kind of chocolate chips can I use?
I always use semi-sweet chocolate chips but milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips would work too.
How long will caramel brownies last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature they will last for 4-5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Check out more of my best brownie recipes:
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Caramel Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 oz package Kraft caramels about 50 or 1 bag of Caramel Bits
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk divided
- 1 box of German Chocolate cake mix
- 3/4 cup butter melted
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts optional. I don’t use.
Instructions
- Over medium low heat, melt 1/3 C evaporated milk and caramels in a saucepan. Stir often.
- Grease a 9 x 13 pan
- Mix cake mix, butter, 1/3 C evaporated milk by hand in a bowl.
- Press 1/2 of the dough into bottom of pan
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 6 minutes
- Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and spread caramel on top of that
- Sprinkle remaining dough on top (will not completely cover)
- Bake 15-18 minutes
- Cool on a wire rack. You can put in the refrigerator to cool.
Tips & Notes:
- For salted caramel brownies, sprinkle the top of the caramel layer with some flakey sea salt.
- Allow brownies to cool before cutting. I find using a disposable plastic knife to cut the brownies gives you the cleanest cut.
- Be sure to use chewy caramel candies. I like Kraft the best. You don’t want a hard caramel candy.
- You can add some chopped pecans to the brownie mixture if you like nuts in your brownies.
- Don’t overmix your brownie batter. I just do it by hand in a bowl and don’t use a mixer.
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Nutrition Facts:
Cara says
Ok, so I haven’t made this recipe before. BUT, I have used caramels before, and you’re absolutely right, taking off the wrappers is the most time consuming part! I usually enlist my husband….ie, “the faster we get these caramels unwrapped, the sooner you can eat these delicious brownies I’m baking for you!” Works every time! 🙂
Nancy says
I will be making these SOON! I have a bag of caramel bits that I purchased to make caramel apples for Halloween but haven’t been able to find tart apples here in Japan! I’m so happy you posted a recipe using caramel bits! Thanks Leigh Ann!
Joan Callaway says
You’re right! The hardest part was unwrapping the caramels. I first had these at S.F. clothing market about 25 years ago at the Cherokee jean showroom – sinfully delicious!
Kirsty says
My diet is crying right now. Man those look good.
Thin says
This just stopped my heart. So freaking beautiful and sweet. I will try this
Leigh Anne says
They are pretty amazing!
Darilyn says
That is a perfect recipe. Simple by yummy. I can’t wait to be the most popular mom on the block today.