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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:
Lisle says
I’ll have to hunt for the caramels… We’ve made this recipe for years (I won’t tell you the size of my thighs), but I use a Devil’s food cake mix, and I layer some toasted pecans right on top of the caramel and chocolate chips. Soooo yummy! The kids don’t have to eat any if they don’t like the nuts…
And they freeze VERY well, for those days when you just don’t have anyone to give them to.
Ann says
Thanks for the recipe, Leigh Anne! I made the (dreaded) trip to WalMart for the Caramel Bits and it made making the brownies a snap!! I took them to a church workshop and they were gone in minutes. 🙂
DiDi says
My Wal-mart in Woodburn has them. $2.34 a bag.
Heidi says
Can’t wait to make these! Do you think a regular old plain chocolate cake mix will taste good or does the german chocolate make it taste best?
Amy says
Yes this is a great recipe, it’s one that I’ve had for years. I got it from a gourmet catering shop in PA when I was a teenager (only 15 or so short years ago). My only variation is dark chocolate or devils food cake mix.
My family only ever wants this kind of brownie from me and now my nephew (on a mission in MI) requests them from me there too!