Ingredients

1/3 cup caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling

1 1/4 cup (168g) all-purpose flour

1/4 cup (24g) Dutch processed cocoa powder

3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 1/4 cups (260g) granulated sugar

1/4 cup (46g) brown sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 large eggs

1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon flake salt, for topping (optional)

Directions

Step 1)Make the caramel sauce:

Step 2)I use this caramel recipe. It comes together in about 10 minutes. Once finished, let cool to room temperature and then place in the fridge to fully chill before making the brownie batter.

Step 3)Prepare the pan:

Step 4)Preheat the oven to 325°F degrees. Coat an 8 x 8 square metal baking pan with cooking spray.

Step 5)Make a parchment sling by lining the pan with parchment paper and leaving an inch overhang on either side. This will make it easier to remove the brownies from the pan. Spray parchment and set aside.

Step 6)Square pan lined with parchment to make Fudgy Caramel Swirl Brownies

Step 7)Prep dry ingredients:

Step 8)In a small bowl whisk flour and cocoa to break up any cocoa clumps and set aside.

Step 9)Melt butter and chocolate:

Step 10)In a large pot (4 quart), set over medium low heat, add the butter and chocolate. Stir until both are melted and fully combined. Remove from heat.

Step 11)Butter and chocolate melting together to make Salted Caramel Brownies

Step 12)Chocolate and butter melted to make The Best Salted Caramel Brownies.

Step 13)Add sugar, salt, and vanilla:

Step 14)To the pot with the chocolate and butter add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla. The batter will look grainy.

Step 15)Sugar added to pot of chocolate to make Caramel Swirl Brownies.

Step 16)Sugar mixed into chocolate to make Fudgy Caramel Swirl Brownies

Step 17)Add eggs:

Step 18)Add eggs one at a time and stir vigorously after each addition until fully incorporated. The batter will become smooth and shiny.

Step 19)Egg added to brownie batter to make Salted Caramel Brownies

Step 20)Smooth brownie batter in a pot to make The Best Salted Caramel Brownies

Step 21)Finish batter:

Step 22)Add flour and cocoa mixture to the batter. Use a spatula to stir it all together. The batter will be thick, and shiny like frosting.

Step 23)Flour and cocoa added to brownie batter to make Caramel Swirl Brownies

Step 24)Thick brownie batter to make Fudgy Caramel Swirl Brownies

Step 25)Transfer the batter and add the caramel:

Step 26)Scrape batter into the prepared baking dish. Smooth the top with your spatula, if necessary. Measure out about 1/3 cup of caramel sauce into a dish. Your caramel should be able to drizzle off the end of your spoon in thick ribbons. If it’s too cool and thick to drizzle then zap it in the microwave for a few seconds until it is.

Step 27)Using a spoon create nine dollops of caramel evenly over the top of the brownie. I prefer to dip my spoon slightly below the surface of the brownie when adding the caramel just to incorporated it a little better.

Step 28)Brownie batter in pan to make Salted Caramel Brownies

Step 29)Caramel dolloped on brownie batter for Caramel Swirl Brownies

Step 30)Swirl in caramel:

Step 31)Use a knife swirl the caramel into “S” shapes throughout the batter. The batter is thick, so you are just swirling the very top layer. Leave some pockets of caramel. Sprinkle with flake salt, if using.

Step 32)Fudgy Caramel Swirl Brownies in a pan

Step 33)Salted Caramel Brownies in a pan

Step 34)Bake:

Step 35)Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the brownies reach an internal temperature of 210°F. A toothpick won’t come out clean because of the caramel that melts into the batter and the fudgy nature of these brownies.

Step 36)When baked, the center stays very soft but shouldn’t be wet to the touch. The caramel will look melted and not very visible, but don’t worry, it will firm up as it cools.

Step 37)If you have a glass baking dish, you may need to add 10 to 15 minute to the cook time.

Step 38)Baked caramel brownies

Step 39)Drizzle with more caramel and enjoy:

Step 40)Let brownies cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack to until room temperature. Drizzle with 3 to 4 tablespoons of additional caramel and another light sprinkle of sea salt. Serve.