Salted Caramel Brownies

I’m going to warn you these brownies are decadent and rich.  Don’t try to eat more than one.  The brownie recipe is actually a lightened up recipe for brownies; however, when topped with this incredible salted caramel icing I don’t think they qualify as a light dessert anymore.  Healthy or not these brownies are “smiles, sunshine, and everything good in this world” according to my 11 year old son. 

Ingredients:

Brownies-

2 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil melted

2 tablespoons canola oil

4 ounces semi sweet chocolate

¾ cup packed dark brown sugar

¼ cup white sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

2 large eggs cold

1 tablespoon cold brewed coffee

¼ cup cocoa powder

¾ cup all purpose flour

¼ teaspoon baking powder

Salted Caramel Sauce-

1 cup packed brown sugar

½ cup heavy cream

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 teaspoon salt

Salted Caramel Buttercream-

2 cups confectioner’s sugar

1 stick unsalted butter

1/8 cup heavy cream

Directions:

Brownies-

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Spray an 8×8 dish with baking spray.
2. Put the coconut oil, canola oil, and chocolate in a bowl and heat at 75 percent power for 2 minutes.  Stir and melt for another 2 minutes if needed.
3. Stir the brown and white sugars, vanilla, and salt into the chocolate mixture with a wooden spoon.
4. Add the eggs and coffee and beat until fully incorporated and the batter is thick and glossy.
5. Add cocoa, flour, and baking soda and stir until it disappears.
6. Pour the batter into the pan and bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few crumbs (35-40 minutes).
7. Cool on a wire rack.

Salted Caramel Sauce-

1. Add the brown sugar, cream, butter, vanilla, and salt to a saucepan.  Cook over medium heat whisking occasionally until thick and combined in about 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Salted Caramel Buttercream-

1. Add the confectioners’ sugar, butter, and cream to a mixer with a paddle attachment.  Mix until light and fluffy 3-4 minutes.
2. Turn the mixer off, drizzle in the salted caramel sauce. 
3. Turn the mixer on and mix to combine.
4. Spread the buttercream over the cooled brownies.
5. Slice into 9-12 scrumptious brownies and enjoy!