Caramel Pecan Brownies

This past week I’ve pondered (as I convalesced *sniffle) what this little bake space is deficient of regarding well-loved desserts.  I had the startling realization that there is no brownie post to speak of!  I love them. What kind of show am I runnin’ here anyway?

I decided if I was to attempt brownies while not feeling great, they would have to be well worth the effort.  There was no other way to make myself rise from the comfy indentation I had made in the couch. 

Caramel and pecan layers…for medicinal purposes of course.

The brownie recipe takes a little more time to make than your average batch.   I’ve added a scratch made caramel layer in the middle that requires using a candy thermometer, but in terms of difficulty it’s one of the easiest caramels I’ve made. 

Caramel Pecan Brownies                       [click for printable]

Yield: 12 brownies

Prepare caramel filling:

1 cup sugar

8 tbsp butter (1 stick)

3 tbsp light corn syrup

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 tsp. sea salt

Melt the stick of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted.  Pour in 1 cup of sugar and increase heat to medium high.  The sugar will begin to bubble and eventually brown.  This takes about 6-8 minutes.  When the sugar has browned to a caramel color, remove it from the heat source and pour in the heavy cream.  Whisk briskly; the mixture will sputter and bubble.  After well combined, add the 3 tablespoons corn syrup  (at this stage your caramelized sugar mixture will still look grainy – this is normal).  Place the saucepan back on the heat source and insert a candy thermometer.  Boil over medium high heat until the temperature reads 244 degrees (soft ball stage).   Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and sea salt.  Set aside and prepare your brownie batter.

Brownie batter:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

8 tbsp butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven 350 degrees.  Grease an 8×8″ pan, set aside.

Whisk together flour, cocoa and salt in a bowl.  In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugars together until creamy.  Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then add the vanilla extract.

Beat in the flour and cocoa mixture until a stiff dough forms.  With the mixer still running gradually pour in the 2 tbsp. vegetable oil.

Measure out 3/4 cup of batter and set aside.  Spread the remaining batter into the bottom of the greased 8×8 pan.  Top batter with caramel sauce (caramel will set up if left sitting too long, reheat over medium high until caramel falls from your spoon in a ribbon).  Spread 1 1/2 cups pecans over caramel, gently pressing them into the caramel.  With a large off-set spatula, spread the remaining brownie batter over the pecan layer.  Bake for 30-35 minutes.  Let cool completely before cutting into pieces.

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Sue
Sue
13 years ago

The chocolate leaf decoration is so pretty, Heather! Homemade caramel filling? Delicious! Can't wait to check out the cookbook!

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

P.S. Hope you're all better soon!

Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
13 years ago

lucky winners! and i recently just figured out how to make chocolate leaves…can't wait to try them! all of your stuff is just so pretty 🙂

Ali
Ali
13 years ago

How did I NOT know that you have shirts?! So friggin' cute! Puttin' my order in today!

Lilianna Grace
Lilianna Grace
13 years ago

Just beautiful food photography!

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

ooooh, these would go great with milk or a latte!

and so excited to win a cookbook – i swear i never win anything! thank you!

Jessica @ How Sweet
Jessica @ How Sweet
13 years ago

These brownies look divine! I so wish you could give me a photography and food styling lesson.

Honey
Honey
13 years ago

think those will work on a sore throat???? they look great….patti b.

linda
linda
13 years ago

congrats to the winners!

hope you feel better so you really can enjoy the beautiful & very delicious looking carmel pecan brownies!!

Erica Lea {Cooking for Seven}
Erica Lea {Cooking for Seven}
13 years ago

Lovely, as always. The chocolate leaves are brilliant. And caramel + pecans is nearly always good in my book. 😀

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Congrats to the winners, I love the leaves – creatively gorgeous…as always!

Carol
Carol
13 years ago

Those sound awesome! Can't wait to try them. Get well soon!

Scott McLean
Scott McLean
13 years ago

All I need is a brownie bigger than my head, and a fountain drink larger than my body to wash it down with. great photos. I'm so hungry now.

Lili
Lili
13 years ago

Oh those chocolate leaves! You come up with the most awe inspiring ideas and paired with your photography skills, you always have me craving more of your posts! ~Lili

Mara Campbell
Mara Campbell
13 years ago

those look delicious and the chocolate leaves are amazing!!!

Andrea
Andrea
13 years ago

I love those leaves…and, mmmm, pecans in brownies? I want some right now!

Holly
Holly
13 years ago

Pretty leaves! The brownies sound divine!!!!

We Are Not Martha
We Are Not Martha
13 years ago

These are beautiful!! The perfect fall photos 🙂 And, of course, the brownies look totally delicious 🙂

Sues

cookies and cups
cookies and cups
13 years ago

only you can make a brownie look so beautiful!

The Urban Baker
The Urban Baker
13 years ago

Heather, I love your chocolate leaves! I wish we were neighbors!

Megan
Megan
13 years ago

Your pictures are enought to make me want to make these brownies. But the recipe sounds delicious. Dont be surprised it I use your styling when I make brownies!!! 😀

Medifast Coupon Code 2010
Medifast Coupon Code 2010
13 years ago

What a nice idea adding a caramel centre. Thanks for a unique brownie recipe to try. I think the extra prep time is really going to be worth it.

Jennifer @ Onceuponachef
Jennifer @ Onceuponachef
13 years ago

These look insanely good and your photos are stunning. Thanks so much for sharing!

Sweetapolita (Rosie)
Sweetapolita (Rosie)
13 years ago

Gorgeous, as usual!

Ingrid_3Bs
Ingrid_3Bs
13 years ago

I can dig a brownie if there is caramel and pecans involved!
~ingrid

marla {family fresh cooking}
marla {family fresh cooking}
13 years ago

Sorry to read you were not well. Hopefully these lovely brownies got you out of the yuckies. That from scratch caramel layer is a must have! So, do you feel complete now that you have a brownie recipe in the line-up??!! Love those chocolate leaves. xo

koralee
koralee
13 years ago

Happy dance…just found your amazing blog…LOVE it!!! I am off to share you with my blog friends…I know they will love you as much as I do. xoxoxoxo

Bonnie
Bonnie
13 years ago

These brownies are beautiful! I love the chocolate leaves! I really want to try this recipe! I don't think these brownies will last long on my kitchen table!!!

Su-yin
Su-yin
13 years ago

I love the chocolate leaves you used to decorate these brownies – it makes me feel all autumnal inside! 🙂

Kimber
Kimber
13 years ago

Hooray for my cookbook!!!! And these brownies look divine! XOXO

Mary @Delightful Bitefuls
Mary @Delightful Bitefuls
13 years ago

These look magical! Great photography!

Lovin' your blog!!

Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls

Ravenous Rowie
Ravenous Rowie
13 years ago

Totally delicious looking brownies!!! Love your photos, and your chocolate leaves! What a fun blog you're runnin' here!

~*~ saskia ~*~
~*~ saskia ~*~
13 years ago

Hi Heather, just popped over and I must say your blog is pure deliciousness! I adore your cake covered with all these fun colored sweets, the doggie with that balloon on top is too cute, and I really really love the name of your blog. Well, that should say enough for today, off to read some of your past posts. You do have THE eye for photography!
Have a happy Thursday. xx

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

I will HAVE to try out this recipe! Those brownies look so super yummo! Thanks for posting!!