Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies

You know some days just don’t go as planned because the kitchen gets messy and life gets noisy and yet somehow those salted caramel pecan brownies make everything feel right again and I’ve burned them before too because I forgot to set the timer and ran off to fold laundry but even when the edges got too crisp they still tasted amazing because chocolate and caramel can fix almost any mood.

I remember the first time I made salted caramel pecan brownies after a long school day when my kids were cranky and the dog had torn up the trash and I was already tired and halfway ready to give up on dinner but when the smell of melting butter and dark chocolate filled the air everyone came running and suddenly the chaos turned into laughter because there’s something magical about brownies baking slowly in the oven.

last week I tried to impress my sister with my famous salted caramel pecan brownies and the caramel boiled over the pot and made a sticky mess on the counter and I almost cried because I’d just cleaned the kitchen but she helped me wipe it up and we laughed so hard that our cheeks hurt and when we finally took a bite of those warm chewy brownies it didn’t matter that the caramel wasn’t perfect because they were still rich and gooey and full of love.

sometimes I make salted caramel pecan brownies and Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars late at night when the house is quiet and the kids are asleep and the world feels slow and soft and I sit by the window with a small plate and a glass of cold milk and I tell myself that maybe this is what peace tastes like because the sweet caramel melts with the dark chocolate and the salty pecans crunch softly and I forget about the long list of things waiting for tomorrow.

Once when I was hosting a bake sale for my daughter’s school I brought a big tray of salted caramel pecan brownies and everyone grabbed one before the table was even fully set and one mom asked for the recipe because her son said it was the best thing he’d ever tasted and I laughed because that same morning I’d dropped half a spoon of flour on the floor and thought the batter was ruined but turns out a little imperfection makes them even better.

When I eat these brownies I like to pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce and sometimes I crumble one over pancakes for breakfast or layer them in a sundae with caramel drizzle and toasted nuts and on cozy nights I eat them with hot cocoa or even a slice of banana and peanut butter because somehow every mix just works together so well and my favorite combo is eating salted caramel pecan brownies with my creamy homemade vanilla ice cream and my simple caramel milkshake both recipes I’ve tried a dozen times and they taste so good together it feels like dessert heaven.

Ingredients

• unsalted butter
• dark chocolate chips
• granulated sugar
• brown sugar
• eggs
• all purpose flour
• cocoa powder
• salt
• vanilla extract
• pecans
• soft caramels
• heavy cream
• sea salt flakes

Ingredients notes

• unsalted butter makes the brownies rich and soft while giving a deep flavor when melted with chocolate.
• dark chocolate chips melt into the butter to create the base of the fudgy texture.
• granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps the top of the brownies get that shiny crust.
• brown sugar gives a deeper caramel taste and keeps the brownies moist.
• eggs bind everything together and make the brownies chewy.
• all purpose flour adds structure to the brownies without making them dry.
• cocoa powder brings a strong chocolate taste that balances the caramel sweetness.
• salt enhances all the flavors so the chocolate and caramel taste stronger.
• vanilla extract gives a warm sweet smell and rounds out the flavor
• pecans add crunch and a nutty buttery taste that matches perfectly with caramel.
• soft caramels melt into a gooey swirl of sweetness inside the brownies.
• heavy cream is mixed with the caramels to make the caramel sauce smooth.
• sea salt flakes sprinkle on top for a light crunch and salty finish that balances the sweetness.

How to make Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies?

step 1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a square baking pan with parchment paper and leave some extra on the sides so it is easy to lift the brownies later.

step 2

Melt the butter and dark chocolate chips together in a saucepan over low heat and stir slowly until everything is smooth then remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

step 3

In a large bowl whisk together the granulated sugar and brown sugar and eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture looks light and fluffy and this will help make the brownies chewy and shiny.

step 4

Slowly pour the melted chocolate and butter mixture into the sugar and egg mixture while stirring gently so that it blends well.

step 5

Sift in the all purpose flour and cocoa powder and salt then fold everything together with a spatula until you no longer see streaks of flour because over mixing will make the brownies dry.

step 6

Chop the pecans into small pieces and fold half of them into the batter then set the other half aside for the topping.

step 7

Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly so that it covers the bottom in a smooth layer.

step 8

Place the soft caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan and warm over low heat until melted and smooth then drizzle half of this caramel sauce over the brownie layer.

step 9

Pour the rest of the brownie batter over the caramel layer and gently spread it so it covers the caramel completely and makes another even layer.

step 10

Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top and use a knife to gently swirl the caramel through the batter to create a marble pattern.

step 11

Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top along with a pinch of sea salt flakes to give that perfect balance of sweet and salty flavor.

step 12

Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs and not wet batter because that means the brownies are fudgy and not overbaked.

step 13

Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper edges then cut into squares and enjoy the shiny top with gooey caramel swirls inside.

Kitchen equipment needed

• mixing bowls
• saucepan
• whisk
• rubber spatula
• square baking pan
• parchment paper
• knife
• measuring cups and spoons
• wooden spoon

Storage options

These brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about three days and if you want them to last longer you can keep them in the fridge for up to one week and if you prefer to store them even longer you can freeze them for about two months and just make sure to wrap each square in plastic wrap before putting them in a freezer bag so that the caramel stays soft and the brownies do not dry out and when you are ready to eat them you can let them come to room temperature or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds so the caramel melts again and tastes fresh and gooey.

Variations for salted caramel pecan brownies

• You can add white chocolate chips into the batter to make a sweeter contrast with the dark chocolate and caramel.
• You can replace the pecans with walnuts or almonds if you prefer a different nut flavor.
• You can swirl in peanut butter instead of caramel for a nutty twist
• You can sprinkle mini marshmallows on top after baking to make them taste like rocky road brownies.
• You can mix in a pinch of instant espresso powder with the cocoa powder to boost the chocolate flavor and give it a deeper taste.
• You can drizzle melted chocolate on top after baking for a pretty glossy finish.

FAQ

What are salted caramel pecan brownies made of?

Salted caramel pecan brownies are made of chocolate butter sugar eggs flour cocoa caramel pecans and a pinch of sea salt and all these ingredients come together to make a rich and chewy dessert with a gooey center and a shiny top that looks amazing and tastes even better because the mix of salty caramel and chocolate is perfect.

What does salted caramel pecan brownies taste like?

They taste like a warm chocolate dream because the brownies are rich and fudgy while the caramel adds a smooth sweetness and the sea salt gives tiny bursts of salty flavor that balance everything and the pecans bring a buttery crunch that makes every bite exciting.

How do you make salted caramel pecan brownies fudgy?

To make them fudgy you need to use melted chocolate instead of just cocoa powder and do not over mix the batter and bake just until the center is set and still soft because over baking will make them cakey instead of fudgy and letting them cool before cutting also helps them set with the perfect texture.

Can you use store bought caramel for salted caramel pecan brownies?

Yes you can because store bought caramel works great and saves time and you can just warm it with a little heavy cream to make it smooth enough to drizzle and swirl into the brownie batter and it still tastes delicious.

Can you make salted caramel pecan brownies without nuts?

Yes you can skip the pecans completely if you want or replace them with chocolate chips or crushed pretzels for a crunchy bite because the brownies will still be delicious and the caramel will still give the same gooey sweetness.

How long do salted caramel pecan brownies stay fresh?

They stay fresh for about three days at room temperature or up to one week in the fridge and if you freeze them they can last about two months and you can warm them again when you want to eat them so they taste like fresh baked brownies.

Can you double the recipe for salted caramel pecan brownies?

Yes you can double the recipe easily and bake it in a larger pan like a 9 by 13 inch pan and the baking time might be a bit longer so keep an eye on them and check with a toothpick until the center looks set and fudgy.

Why is sea salt important in salted caramel pecan brownies?

Sea salt is important because it makes the caramel flavor stronger and balances the sweetness and adds a nice crunchy touch on top so each bite feels exciting and not too sweet and the name salted caramel means that the salt is a key part of what makes the flavor so special.