The Best Salted Caramel Brownies You'll Ever Have

When exactly did the world realize that sea salt makes every dessert 1,000 better? Ever since that lightbulb moment, sweet-and-salty desserts have reached a whole new level. Lucky for us, Victoria from A Subtle Revelry has agreed to share her salted caramel brownies recipe that will blow your mind (and make you the star of the show during the holidays)...
The Best Salted Caramel Brownies You'll Ever Have
By Victoria Hudgins of A Subtle Revelry

Brownies are famous for being a go-to food when you're craving a scrumptious chocolate treat. Adding in swirls of caramel and a dash of sea salt makes them extra satisfying.

I bring these brownies to friends' houses often and always get the same response: a taste, and then a long exhale..."that was what I needed." They seriously are the best brownies ever! Make a batch for yourself, or become a famed neighborhood baker by making them for guests and friends throughout the year.

A secret to these brownies is that it doesn't really matter what batter you use—my favorite dark chocolate recipe is included below, but if you're running late, you can whip these up using a fudge box mix. The addition of rich caramel and sea salt transforms any mix!

Recipe: The Best Salted Caramel Brownies

You'll need:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
4 1-oz. squares of dark chocolate
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup caramel topping (this is my favorite)
1 tsp. good quality sea salt

What to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

In a 3-quart saucepan over very low heat, melt butter and chocolate, stirring the mixture constantly. Remove from heat, and stir the sugar into the chocolate. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour and 1/2 tsp. salt in a separate bowl, then stir into the chocolate mixture.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Drizzle the caramel atop the batter, and use a knife to swirl over the surface. Sprinkle sea salt over the caramel.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center come out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Whose suddenly starving right now?! Thank you so much, Victoria!

P.S. More best recipes, including chocolate chunk cookies and a chocolate ice cream (without needing a machine).

(Recipe and photos by Victoria of A Subtle Revelry. Thanks to Shoko for helping with this series.)