If you have a serious sweet tooth and adore the delightful combination of gooey caramel and rich chocolate, you are going to fall head over heels for this Caramel Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe. These brownies strike the perfect balance between fudgy and chewy, with pockets of melted chocolate chunks and luscious caramel threaded throughout. Biting into one is like a mini celebration of comforting flavors that everyone will rave about. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or a festive gathering, these brownies are guaranteed to bring smiles and happy sighs to the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting these brownies just right starts with simple, quality ingredients that each add their own magic to the mix. From the buttery richness to the deep cocoa flavor and the luscious bursts of caramel and chocolate chunks, every component works in harmony to create pure bliss in every bite.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, melted): Creates a tender, moist texture with a creamy richness that forms the brownie base.
- Sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the batter and helps achieve that perfect chewy crust on top.
- Large eggs (4): Binds ingredients together, adding structure and tenderness.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances the depth of flavor and complements the chocolate beautifully.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): Provides the necessary structure to keep these brownies fudgy yet sturdy.
- Cocoa powder (1 cup): Gives these brownies their signature chocolatey intensity and rich color.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate’s complexity.
- Chocolate chunks (1 cup): Melt throughout to add gooey pockets of chocolate delight.
- Caramel sauce (1 cup): Swirled inside for a luscious, buttery contrast that melts perfectly into the brownies.
- Sea salt flakes (optional): A sprinkle on top to bring out all the complex flavors with a salty crunch.
How to Make Caramel Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper—this ensures the brownies won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze. Having everything set up in advance gives you a smooth baking experience.
Step 2: Mix Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and sugar until the mixture is glossy and smooth. This step is key to creating that luscious, fudgy texture everyone loves.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the four large eggs along with the vanilla extract until everything is well combined and slightly airy. These ingredients bring richness and a subtle aromatic hint that elevates the brownies.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt to make sure there are no lumps and the cocoa blends evenly. Gently fold the dry mix into the wet ingredients, taking care to avoid overmixing so your brownies stay tender.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chunks
Gently stir in the chocolate chunks, which will melt into pockets of chocolate bliss during baking. It’s what gives every bite that exciting surprise.
Step 6: Layer Batter and Caramel
Spread half of the brownie batter evenly into your prepared pan. Next, drizzle the entire cup of caramel sauce over this layer, creating gooey ribbons of caramel that contrast perfectly with the chocolate. Then, top with the remaining brownie batter and smooth the surface.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be set and a toothpick inserted into the center to come out with just a few moist crumbs—this ensures a fudgy center rather than a dry one.
Step 8: Add a Touch of Salt and Cool
If you like a little salty-sweet magic, sprinkle some sea salt flakes across the top right after baking. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing into satisfying squares.
How to Serve Caramel Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your presentation, try topping these brownies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts slowly into the warm brownies. Fresh berries or a drizzle of extra caramel sauce make an irresistible garnish as well.
Side Dishes
This brownie pairs wonderfully with a simple cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk—the perfect companions that enhance the deep chocolate and caramel flavors without overpowering them. For something extra special, serve alongside whipped cream or a scoop of chocolate or salted caramel ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, cut these brownies into bite-sized squares and serve on a decorative platter with little forks or toothpicks. You can also layer them in a clear dessert jar with whipped cream and caramel drizzle for an elegant no-fuss dessert parfait that’s sure to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Caramel Chocolate Chunk Brownies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This helps preserve their chewy texture and prevents them from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to make these brownies in advance, they freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To revive their fresh-out-of-the-oven softness, warm individual brownie squares in the microwave for about 15 seconds. If you prefer, a brief warming in a low oven (about 300°F) wrapped in foil also works wonderfully.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce for this brownie recipe?
Absolutely! Using a good quality store-bought caramel sauce speeds up the process and still gives you that rich, luscious caramel flavor. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape when drizzled between the batter layers.
What kind of chocolate chunks work best?
Choose high-quality chocolate chunks or chop a chocolate bar into irregular pieces. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate balances the sweetness of the caramel perfectly. Milk chocolate works too if you prefer a sweeter bite.
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour?
For best results, stick with all-purpose flour as it provides the right structure for fudgy brownies. Using gluten-free flour blends is possible but may change the texture slightly, so experiment with caution.
Why is it important not to overmix the batter?
Overmixing develops too much gluten, which can make brownies cakey or tough rather than soft and fudgy. Mixing just until combined keeps the texture tender and delightful.
How do I know when the brownies are done baking?
The best indicator is that the edges are set and pulling away slightly from the pan, while a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. This ensures a fudgy and gooey middle rather than fully dry crumbs.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Caramel Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe if you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that hits all the right notes. It’s one of those wonderful creations that feel both indulgent and comforting, perfect for sharing or savoring on your own. Trust me, once you try these brownies, they’ll quickly become a favorite recipe in your baking repertoire. Happy baking and enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Caramel Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these rich and fudgy Caramel Chocolate Chunk Brownies, featuring a luscious layer of caramel sauce nestled between two layers of chocolatey brownie batter, studded with generous chocolate chunks and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes for an irresistible sweet and salty treat.
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
Additional
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- Sea salt flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Mix butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Stir in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
- Combine dry ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt into the mixture, then gently fold them in until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
- Fold in chocolate chunks: Incorporate the chocolate chunks evenly throughout the batter for pockets of rich chocolate.
- Layer batter and caramel: Spread half of the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Drizzle the caramel sauce over this layer for a gooey middle.
- Top with remaining batter: Spoon the remaining brownie batter on top of the caramel layer and smooth it out with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should appear set, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Add sea salt flakes: If desired, sprinkle sea salt flakes over the warm brownies right after removing them from the oven to enhance the sweet-salty contrast.
- Cool and slice: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares for clean cuts and the perfect texture.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake to keep the brownies fudgy and moist.
- Use good quality caramel sauce and chocolate chunks for best flavor.
- Line the pan with parchment paper with some overhang for easy removal of brownies.
- Sea salt flakes are optional but add a pleasant flavor contrast.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
