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To make these rich caramel turtle brownies, gather the following items: - 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, melted - 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 4 large eggs, room temperature - 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour - 1 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup (100g) semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1 cup (150g) chopped pecans - 1 cup (240ml) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) If you run out of any ingredients, don't worry! Here are some easy swaps: - Use margarine instead of unsalted butter for a dairy-free option. - Brown sugar can replace granulated sugar for a deeper flavor. - Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour for a gluten-free choice. - Any nut can stand in for pecans, like walnuts or almonds. - For caramel sauce, you can use sweetened condensed milk and brown sugar. I trust certain brands for the best results in these brownies: - Unsalted Butter: Land O'Lakes or Challenge Butter for rich flavor. - Granulated Sugar: Domino or C&H Sugar for fine granules. - Vanilla Extract: Nielsen-Massey offers pure vanilla with great taste. - All-Purpose Flour: King Arthur Flour is known for its quality. - Chocolate Chips: Ghirardelli or Nestlé Toll House provide smooth melts. - Caramel Sauce: Smucker’s or Hershey’s offer tasty, ready-to-use options. These ingredients will help you create the best caramel turtle brownies. Enjoy the process and let your kitchen fill with sweet scents! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9x13 inch pan. Grease it with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift the brownies out later. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of melted butter with 2 cups of granulated sugar. Use a whisk or hand mixer. Blend until the mixture looks smooth and uniform. This step builds a rich base for your brownies. Now, add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Then, crack in 4 large eggs, one at a time. Beat well after adding each egg. Mix until everything is velvety and well combined. This adds flavor and helps the brownies rise. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Ensure they mix well. This helps create a balanced flavor and texture. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. This keeps the brownies soft and chewy. Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of chopped pecans. Use a spatula for this step. Reserve a small handful of each for the topping later. This will make your brownies extra special. Pour half of the brownie batter into your prepared pan. Spread it evenly across the bottom. Drizzle half of your caramel sauce over the batter. Let it pool slightly for that gooey texture. Now pour the rest of the brownie batter on top. Spread it gently to keep the caramel layer intact. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips and pecans for decoration. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Once baked, let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This allows the caramel to thicken. After cooling, cut them into squares. Enjoy your rich and decadent treat! To make the best brownies, use fresh ingredients. Fresh eggs and quality cocoa make a big difference. Always measure your flour correctly. Too much flour can lead to dry brownies. I recommend spooning flour into the cup and leveling it off with a knife. Mixing is key, but too much can ruin your brownies. After adding the dry ingredients, stir gently until just combined. It’s okay if there are some small lumps. Overmixing develops gluten, which makes brownies tough instead of soft and fudgy. To boost caramel flavor, use high-quality caramel sauce. You can also add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel. This brings out its sweetness and adds depth. A splash of vanilla extract in the sauce can elevate the taste too. For a stunning presentation, serve brownies warm. Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top. Sprinkle with chopped pecans for added crunch. Pair each brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This makes every bite feel special. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Eggs: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature before using them. This helps create a smoother batter and better incorporation of ingredients. Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in dense and tough brownies. Check for Doneness: For fudgy brownies, a toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy. Storing Brownies: Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for longer shelf life. {{image_4}} You can make these brownies even better by using different nuts. Try walnuts or almonds if you want a change. Each nut gives a unique taste and crunch. Just chop them up like the pecans. Fold them in the batter as you would with the pecans. For a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Look for a blend with xanthan gum. This keeps the brownies soft and chewy. Follow the same steps in the recipe. Your gluten-free friends will love this treat! You can mix it up by using different types of chocolate. Dark chocolate chips add a rich flavor, while milk chocolate makes it sweeter. You can even use white chocolate for a fun twist. Just remember to adjust the sugar if you use sweeter chocolate. A chocolate swirl is a fun way to add more chocolate flavor. After layering the batter, melt some chocolate. Drizzle it on top of the brownie batter. Use a knife to swirl it in. This creates a beautiful marbled effect. The extra chocolate adds richness and depth. To keep your caramel turtle brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps lock in moisture and flavor. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers of brownies to prevent sticking. Keep them at room temperature for up to four days. If you want to store them longer, the fridge works too. Freezing is a great option for longer storage. First, let the brownies cool completely. Then, cut them into squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped brownies in a freezer bag or container. They can stay frozen for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy, just take out as many as you need. Reheating brownies can bring back their yummy texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the brownies on a baking sheet. Cover them loosely with foil to keep them moist. Heat for about 10 minutes. You can also microwave a brownie for about 20-30 seconds for a quick treat. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they are done. If it has wet batter, bake for a few more minutes. Brownies continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they look a bit soft initially. Absolutely! Homemade caramel sauce adds a personal touch. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape when drizzled. This enhances the flavor and makes your brownies extra special. No pecans? No problem! You can use any nuts you like, such as walnuts or almonds. If you want a nut-free option, simply leave them out. The brownies will still taste amazing and be deliciously rich. To make brownies from scratch, mix melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Then add the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just combined, then bake. This basic method works for many brownie recipes, including these caramel turtle brownies. Yes, you can make these brownies ahead of time! Bake them, then let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container for up to three days. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Just thaw before serving. In this post, we explored making perfect brownies from scratch. We covered essential ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. You learned how to enhance flavor and presentation. Plus, we shared variations to suit your taste. Now, you can store and reheat brownies to keep them fresh. Enjoy baking and impressing your friends with these delicious treats!

Decadent Caramel Turtle Brownies

Rich and indulgent brownies layered with caramel and topped with chocolate and pecans.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar, blending until smooth.
  • Add the pure vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  • Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped pecans, reserving a small handful of each for topping.
  • Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the batter.
  • Pour the remaining brownie batter on top, spreading gently. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce and sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips and pecans on top.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
  • Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Notes

For an eye-catching presentation, serve warm or at room temperature drizzled with extra caramel sauce and topped with additional pecans.
Keyword brownies, caramel, chocolate, pecans