I don’t know why I never thought to use brown butter in brownies until now, but y’all. Y’all.
These are the kind of brownies that kept me sneaking little pieces every time I went into the kitchen. Gotta feed my dog? Okay, I’ll have a little bite of brownie. Need a glass of water? Yeah, I’ll have some brownie with that. Haven’t been in the kitchen in half an hour? Sounds like it’s time for a brownie!
Fortunately, they lasted almost a whole weekend that way.
Not only are these brownies made with brown butter, I also added a layer of caramel in the middle. I was hoping they’d turn out similar to these gooey caramel stuffed brownies that you’ve probably seen on Pinterest. They did not. I don’t think I added enough caramel because it just blended in with the batter. My favorite brownie recipe makes some pretty fudgy brownies to begin with, but because of the caramel, these had an extra fudgy layer in the middle. Then, obviously, there needed to be more caramel on top, and y’all. Y’all.
But. This caramel isn’t just regular old caramel. Brown butter brownies couldn’t have just any common caramel in the middle. Brown butter brownies need whiskey caramel.
I’m going to be honest–I used a store bought caramel sauce and doctored it up. There was already some in the fridge and I thought, “Ehh, why not?” The caramel was also a last minute addition. Basically, I’d forgotten I had some until I saw it in the refrigerator. If you have a favorite or go-to caramel recipe, you can totally use that instead. You’ll only need about 1/2 a cup for these brownies, so you might end up with way more than you need. Not that that’s a bad thing. I’m sure you could find something to do with it. (Read: eat it with a spoon.)
Because you’ll be adding two teaspoons of whiskey to the caramel, you’ll need a thick sauce to begin with. Otherwise, the whiskey will thin it out and it’ll be too drippy. Unless you’re planning on drinking it, in which case, you’ll need to add more whiskey.
ingredients
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (thick caramel sauce--store bought, or your favorite recipe)
- 2 teaspoons whiskey (whichever brand you prefer)
- 1 cup (two sticks) butter, browned and cooled for five minutes.
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
instructions
- Measure out 3/4 cup caramel sauce and stir in the whiskey. Set aside.
- Brown the butter and let it cool for about 5 minutes. (Link to tutorial above.)
- While it's cooling, line a 9x9 inch pan with foil and leave an overhang of 2-3 inches. Spray with nonstick-spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Whisk the chocolate chips into the brown butter until completely melted. (You might need to transfer to a larger bowl at this point.)
- Whisk in the sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and cinnamon.
- Add eggs and whisk until incorporated.
- Carefully whisk in flour, making sure to mix until just combined.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and drizzle with half of the caramel sauce. Try to keep the caramel away from the edge of the pan. Cover with the rest of the brownie batter.
- Bake for 35 minutes. After the brownies have cooled, lift the brownies from the pan by using the foil overhang. Cut into squares and drizzle with the rest of the caramel sauce.
Recipe from bethcakes. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without permission. If you would like to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe. Thank you.
Oh My Lordt!! There are 3 things that make life wonderful. Chocolate, Caramel and Whiskey.. Hello. 🙂
Haha, thanks Erika! I totally agree with you. 🙂
Haha such a funny post Beth! I totally know those types of brownies – I end up looking for excuses to get into the kitchen and take just another small piece. My husband always makes fun of me because instead of just cutting off a piece and eating it I cut off small slices every time I walk through the kitchen. I love that caramel shot – so pretty! I love that you doctored up store bought caramel sauce – so smart!
Thanks Chelsea! I’m glad you enjoyed it, haha. Yes, I totally get the slicing off a little piece thing!
If these were in my kitchen, I’d be sneaking little bites of brownie every time I walked through, too! I’m a huge fan of your semi-homemade caramel sauce. Whisky’s a great way to jazz up store-bought sauce, and your version looks incredible!
Hi, thanks Ashley! For me, sometimes super easy is the best way to go when it comes to caramel sauce!
These had a really good texture – not dry but densely delicious! Love the photos!
Thanks, glad you liked them! 🙂
Oh goodness, these brownies look major. I’d like to start every day with one! 🙂
Haha, thanks Pamela! That would surely be the best start to any day. 🙂
these seriously look INCREDIBLE!!! omg whiskey caramel – can I just drink it straight up? is that totally sick to ask? do I even care? no!!!! give me sooommmeee 🙂
Thanks, Christine! Drinking caramel is something that crosses everyone’s mind at some point I think. 😉
Ok, these are seriously AMAZING!!! Whiskey caramel? Geez!! I need to try that soon.
Thanks, Zainab! You definitely do need to try it soon!
Hello, Heaven! These look insane! I want to make them 🙂
Thanks!! 🙂
Hello, Beth! Wow, I bet these taste like chocolate caramel Bailey’s! I think I would have to just make a few or freeze some or something because I KNOW I would be sneaking little bits until I’d eaten every last one!
OMG these look amazing!
http://www.simplyhsquared.com
I am in love with everything about this! Whiskey? Caramel? Chocolate? Sign me up!
Thanks, Erin! 🙂
I am so jealous I never thought of putting brown butter into my brownies. What a genius idea! Love, love, love this!!
Thanks, Kathi! You should definitely try it. I think they’re my new favorite brownies. 🙂
Please pass the brownies! These really look good, and the whiskey caramel…..yum.
Thanks, Pat!
These look so good!! I love chocolate and caramel!! Such an amazing combo!! YUM! I hope that you have a great weekend!
Thank you so much Cailee! I hope you have a good weekend too!
Damn, these look wayy to good! I would totally find any excuse to go to the kitchen too. That was hilarious because I’ve been there as well. 😉
Haha, thanks Connie! It was definitely a dangerous situation. For my waistline. 😉
Yes!! Browned butter brownies, booze, and caramel, can’t go wrong with that combination!
OMG Beth, these brownies. I can’t even form a proper sentence to explain how much I am drooling over them at this minute. They look like the brownie of my dreams! 😀 PINNED!
Whiskey caramel sauce?!?! Yes please!
These look delicious, Beth! Loving that sauce- looks super luscious! 🙂
Oh, yeah! I would totally snack on these the entire weekend. The drizzle of caramel sauce is my favorite! Have a great weekend, Beth!
Now these are some serious brownies!! And with brown butter… you had me just at that part! And I know exactly what type of dessert these must be since I do the same thing with certain recipes! Just sneaking little pieces every single time I wander into the kitchen. Dangerous but so so good!
From you said brown butter I know you were going to exclaim at how amazing it makes brownies! TRUST ME, I know! It’s like magic! This look so good and every ingredient…brown butter…whiskey…caramel…has me!
Always, always, go back for more pieces of brownies. These look delicious and I love the different twist with the browned butter and the whiskey. Brown butter has such a nice flavour depth and I’ve never thought of combining it with chocolate. I bet it really makes these brownies pop!
Ohhhhh these look SO good. Brown butter is one of the most amazing things ever – second only to brownies. Combining the two is genius! I love your pix too – gorgeous!
Drool…
Sigh….these look amazing. What a perfect combo of flavors. Pinned to the brownie board for sure. 🙂
Oh wonderful, I could eat 2-3 of those right now they look delicious!! 🙂 You could also add a drizzle of chocolate and chopped nuts!
Michael 🙂
recent post, Sloppy Joe’s, http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/sloppy-joe/
These are beautiful! I think I’m going to have to try them out in the very near future.
OMG. I am so craving brownies now. And caramel! These are beautiful!
Wow, these brownies look incredible Beth! Brown butter, caramel and whiskey – I would find every excuse to wander through the kitchen to sneak a few pieces until every bite is gone – so dangerous but sounds so so good! Pinning these gorgeous photos 🙂
I love anything having to do with brownies so I’m all over these! Such a creative flavor combo…awesome idea. 🙂
Ooh! Just made some brownies and posted them on my site, but I love the caramel and brown butter addition in yours! BTW: totally love your site! You can count on me being back! 🙂
Sometimes I think store bought is better. 🙂 I love these so much!