Caramel Pecan Brownies

Ingredients

Caramel Sauce

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Brownies

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup chopped toasted pecans for top of brownies

Chocolate Ganache

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions

Caramel Sauce

1. In a small sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the sugar and heavy cream and allow to bubble for 2 minutes; remove from heat. Set aside.

Brownies

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Line an 8�8 inch baking pan with aluminum foil going up the sides, for easy removal and grease lightly with butter; set aside.
3. Melt the butter in a medium size sauce pan over medium heat.
4. Stir in the cocoa powder and sugar and combine well.
5. The texture may be gritty, which is fine.
6. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
7. Pour melted mixture into a large bowl then add the salt, vanilla, eggs, flour, and baking soda.
8. Mix until smooth and combined and there are no lumps of flour.
9. Spoon half of the batter into the prepared baking dish.
10. Drizzle on half of the caramel sauce saving the rest for the top.
11. Pour remaining brownie batter on top, smooth out the top.
12. Place into the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
13. Remove and place onto a cooling rack.
14. Scatter the chopped roasted pecans onto the brownie.
15. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce on the top then allow to cool for about 30-40 minutes.

Ganache

1. Heat the cream to almost boiling.
2. While the cream is heating place the chocolate chips into a bowl.
3. Pour the heated cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 3-4 minutes to melt the chocolate.
4. Stir vigorously to combine and make smooth then drizzle over the brownies.
5. Once the brownies have cooled, lift out of the pan and cut into bite sized pieces.