There are times when you need a dessert, you need it now, you need it QUICK and you don’t want to fuss with a bunch of ingredients. Those are the times when I pull out a good boxed mix and mess with it a little. I grabbed a box of Ghirardelli brownie mix and some chocolate covered Dove candies recently, and combined them to make super simple, no-brainer, almost-embarrassed-to-call-this-a-recipe: Caramel Brownies
I know that there are folks out there who don’t like to bake and who are intimidated by baking and all of the ingredients and terms involved. I love to show people that baking can be fun and that you can be successful no matter what level of kitchen knowledge you possess. But THIS little brownie project– no one can mess this one up. I promise.
You just need two things. You don’t necessarily have to have these brands- just a brownie boxed mix (a good one) and some chocolate-covered caramels.
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Follow directions on the box for the brownies- add half of the mix to the pan and then top it with the chocolate-covered caramels.
Then spread the rest of the brownie mix on top of the candy. Bake according to your box instructions (probably about 40 minutes.
Let the brownies cool and then cut.
The great thing is, people will not likely think these are boxed brownies. The chocolate melts into the brownie, making it extra- chocolatey, and the caramel dotted throughout adds the extra special, ooey-goeey, omg component.
I had a lot folks asking me for the recipe when I brought these to a recent event. I was almost embarrassed to tell them how I made them (since I rarely do a boxed mix), but I find that there are a lot of people out there who covet boxed brownie mixes. Why Not? Some of them are pretty darn good. Jazz them up a little and they are that much better too 🙂
Do you grab a mix when you need a quick dessert once in a while?
Caramel Brownies
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 1 box of your favorite brownie mix (I like the Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie)
- 25 whole Dove Caramel Milk Chocolate candies (unwrapped) or use another chocolate covered caramel candy
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to whatever it says on your brownie mix box (325 degrees F for Ghirardelli). Spray a 9x9 inch metal pan with nonstick spray and then line with a 9x15 inch strip of parchment paper, letting it come up and over two sides. Spray the parchment with nonstick spray too.
- In a large bowl, prepare your brownie batter as directed on the box. Spread ½ of the brownie batter into your prepared pan. Place the chocolate-covered caramels on top in 5 rows of 5. Spoon the remaining brownie batter on top and spread to cover.
- Bake the brownies as directed on your brownie mix box for a 9x9 inch pan.
- Let the brownies cool completely and then gently lift the parchment paper and brownies out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve!
Notes
- Super, super easy jazzed up brownie mix to make a delicious caramel brownie. Nothing fancy here!
Have been looking for a Salted Caramel brownie recipe to spoil a favorite son-in-law. This seems to be the perfect answer, however how do I get the salted part added to it? Could I sprinkle it before baking with sea salt? Would love to have some suggestions.
I think that would be fine!
Love love love these!! They are perf for my friends when we hang out!
I’m in love!
OMG – these look amazing. My mouth is watering. I’m trying to think up a healthy variation ….. I may have to splurge on these though, or maybe I could try the same thing with my pumpkin brownies. Then again, some recipes just shouldn’t be messed with.
I will try this recipe. Sounds toooo good!
Try mixing in HEATH milk chocolate toffee bits into batter (located where you find chocolate chips) and sprinkle this mixture on top of the brownies before baking. Can also add M & M’s to the top with the HEATH mixture. For less guilt, make the no pudge brownie mix and then add to it.
HEATH chocolate toffee bits are also good mixed into and on top of oatmeal cookies and ice cream. Enjoy!
WOw. This is incredible looking. I have done this with york patties, but never with Dove caramels. I am in awe!
oh wow, this looks soooooooooo gooooooood!
My goodness, I need a pan of these right now! Total chocolate satisfaction!
Those look insanely delicious!! How did I miss these?!
I’m gonna make these and send them to my mom for Valentine’s Day. This is a great recipe, quick and easy.
Mmmm. I baked those caramel filled Dove candies into cookies before. But the brownies look even better. Thanks for the idea, Lori. 🙂
Wow!! The brownies look incredible!!! I love that brownie mix too – it is such a good deal!
Great quick recipe! I’ve been looking for one where I didn’t have to drag out excess ingredients out of my pantry and a bunch of kitchen supplies. It’s also great for teenage girls to make on a rainy day or at a sleepover.
Remember cut brownies with a plastic knife (even if warm) and they will cut evenly every time!
wow! these look so easy! i made something similiar around christmas time. they were chocolate chip blondies stuffed with peppermint patties, instead of chocolate caramels. i’ll have to save this recipe! 🙂
Yum, these look awesome! It reminds me of Christmas time when I bake boxed brownies and stick Andes mints on the top… they melt (but only if you use milk chocolate ones, for some reason) and you spread it around — yum! Have you ever tried it? (:
I have not… but sounds great!
You’re my hero!
Great recipe as always! This is the perfect dessert when you are in a rush–sometimes we just dont have time to get all the ingredients and spend time in the kitchen. The added touch makes brownies out of the box seem like they are fresh out of the bakery!
I’d have to say my favorite sweet is caramel. That being said, why did I have to see this 2 weeks after starting a a low carb diet. =/
you got such a clean cut on the edges! nice tip on chilling first.
Oh man, I want these! Haven’t had a good brownie in so long!!! These just look wonderful and gooey and soft, ok I better stop, I’m going to short out my computer from drooling all over it!
I make a lot of stuff from scratch because I like to, but I also use box mixes sometimes. I feel no shame about it 😉
Oh gosh, Lori – these look SO good – so fudgy! I’m a huge advocate for jazzing up mixes – homemade desserts don’t have to be tricky or time consuming.
Oh my goodness…having company tonight! I cab already feel these melting in my mouth 🙂 I’m all for using a good quality mix!
Oh yum! I think I need to go buy those Dove chocolates right.now! I always jazz up a boxed mix by using coffee instead of water. It’s a simple switch that makes a big difference. I also undercook by a few minutes so they’re fudgy not dry.
What a wonderful idea! I can’t wait to try these.
Kids would love to partake in such simple, fun cookie baking project!
Such an easy way to satisfy a craving!!
Oh my but these look absolutely wonderful! Thanks for the chill tip..i will have to try that! 🙂
Ok..I am totally making these! EASY !!!!!! Pinned!
Looks, delicious, as usual! Thought I would share my healthy brownie post from this week: Sweet Potato Espresso Brownies… a great way to use up a VIA from Starbucks!
http://apassionateplate.com/sweet-potato-espresso-brownies/
I buy the Ghirardelli boxed mis at Costco all the time just for that reason. it is quicka nd easy when the kids pull the late night, last minute “oooppps I forgot to tell you.” Now I need to go home and make brownies with caramel (thank goodness I am stopping at Target on the way home!). May have to make these before I bake the giant polka dot cake. YUM!
I usually use Rolos…but man I bet those Dove are amazing! Yum
Thanks I just drooled all over my computer
I love brownies with caramels in them! I tried to make a similar recipe this week, but I put some candy on top too. Bad idea – they got all melty and did not look pretty! This is a must better idea!
I put my brownies in the fridge too!
Ooh, nice! Sometimes you just need a super easy way to make something yummy. This is great. So pulling these out next time I need something quick and easy but still super tasty.
Oh Lori – you outdid yourself with these beauties. They look sinfully delicious.
That’s our go to brownie mix too!! I always have a few in the pantry!! going to try this next time!!
I just made these on Tuesday for a work party! Great minds think alike 🙂
Ghirardelli makes a great brownie mix. What a fantastic way to change it up.
Ghiradelli is my go to box mix if I don’t feel like making from scratch. They are delicious on their own but look positively decadent with the addition of the caramel candies. Yum!
These brownies look amazing…..it looks like you worked so hard on them! I can’t wait to make them and impress my friends 🙂 Thank you!
Holy cow! Those look beyond amazing!
Seriously GENIUS!! I’ve made caramel filled brownies before, but they were nowhere near this easy. Love it!!!
holy moly. this looks absolutely amazing. i want to make these ASAP!!!
This is my kind of quick dessert! I love turning a box mix into something amazing and delicious.
THese look perfect for a baking project on this rainy Friday!
Yum….I like using cake mixes to jazz things up. These look wonderful and I bet the Ghirardelli mix is great.
Delish!
My mom has spent a lifetime jazzing up boxed brownie mixes and no one ever guesses she doesn’t slave away at them.
I think that adding candy and/or chocolate chips to a brownie mix, and underbaking by 5-10% of the recommended time (because dry brownies to me are awful and you can make even homemade brownies horrible) are my strategies.
Those Dove Caramels and the whole thing…FABULOUS!! 🙂
I love putting candy in the middle of brownies, it’s like an extra little surprise!