Caramel Peanut Butter Brownies Recipes

PEANUT BUTTER CARAMEL SWIRLED BROWNIES

Steps:

• Bring the cream to a simmer over low heat in a small saucepan. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over high heat and cook, without stirring until amber brown. Slowly whisk in the warm cream until smooth and let cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and whisk in the peanut butter, corn syrup, sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and let cool until thickened at room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Put a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on the narrow ends. Spray the foil and pan with nonstick spray.
• Combine the butter, unsweetened chocolate, 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate and espresso powder in a medium bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Let the chocolate melt over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, both sugars, vanilla and salt until smooth. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in the flour in 2 additions (the batter will be thick). Stir in the remaining 4 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate.
• Scrape half of the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Using a tablespoon, drop dollops of half of the peanut butter caramel every 2 inches over the top of the batter. Carefully add the remaining batter and smooth over the caramel. Smooth the top and dollop the remaining caramel over the top. Use a butter knife to swirl through the batter to get a marbleized effect.
• Bake until the top is set but still soft and the edges are puffed and just beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 23 to 25 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center will come out still gooey (be brave!--underbaking the brownies is one of the secrets to their fudgy texture). Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the neatest cuts, refrigerate the pan for about 20 minutes before cutting the brownies. Using the foil, lift the brownie slab out of the pan. Carefully peel off the foil and put the brownie on a large cutting board. With a large sharp knife, cut the brownies into 48 squares. (The brownies can be stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 3 days; they can also be frozen, well wrapped, for up to 2 weeks.)

PEANUT CARAMEL BROWNIE BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with foil, letting ends extend up sides; coat foil with cooking spray., Microwave butter, sugar and water on high just until mixture comes to a boil, 3-4 minutes; stir until blended. Stir in chocolate chips until melted. Whisk in eggs, 1 at a time, stirring well after each addition. Whisk in vanilla. Stir in flour and baking powder., Spread into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Cool 30 minutes., For topping, combine sugar, butter and milk in a large saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly, over medium heat. Boil 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in marshmallow creme, 1/4 cup peanut butter and vanilla; pour over brownies. Sprinkle with 2 cups peanuts., In a small saucepan, combine caramels and water; cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until blended. Pour over peanuts., Microwave chocolate chips on high until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in remaining peanut butter until smooth; pour over caramel layer. Chop remaining peanuts; sprinkle on top. Refrigerate at least 1 hour., Lifting with foil, remove brownies from pan. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

CHEWY, SALTY PEANUTTY CARAMEL BROWNIES

Steps:

• For the caramel: Very lightly grease the inside of a 2-cup glass measuring cup with oil. Combine the granulated sugar and butter in a small deep saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. (Don't worry if the mixture looks curdled and then separated-it will come together.) Cook, stirring, until it looks like dark peanut butter, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring the heavy cream to a simmer over medium heat in a small saucepan. When the butter mixture is the right color, remove from the heat and slowly and very carefully whisk in the hot cream-it will bubble up and steam, so be careful. Put the pot back over medium heat, bring the mixture back to a simmer and cook about 1 minute. Pour into the prepared measuring cup and cool to room temperature. (The caramel can be made the night before and kept, covered, at room temperature. You can warm it very briefly in a microwave so that it is pourable, but be careful not to overheat. It should not be too loose.)
• For the brownie: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut a piece of foil 9 by 20-inches. Butter the corners and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Line the pan with the foil so that the excess hangs over at each of the short sides of the pan. Put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, being careful that the bowl does not touch the water. Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula until smooth.
• Whisk the eggs, sugars and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir the chocolate into the egg mixture using a rubber spatula, and then stir in the flour until just combined. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the peanuts.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Drizzle the caramel over the top, using a butter knife to swirl it into the batter. Coarsely chop the remaining 1/2 cup peanuts and scatter over the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Be sure to insert the toothpick in a spot that does not have too much caramel.
• Place on a cooling rack and, while still slightly warm, run a butter knife between the brownie and the long sides of the pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• When the brownie has cooled completely, place a lightweight cutting board or a baking rack over the top of the pan. Flip and set on the counter. Gently pull the pan from the foil and the foil from the pan to remove. Gently peel the foil off the brownie. Place another lightweight cutting board on top, and flip the brownie right-side-up. Slice into 1 1/2-inch squares.