caramilk brownies
How’s it going, friend? You aren’t on a diet are you? Because I made these brownies for you. And me. Okay, I made them mostly for me. I made these brownies because returning to work last week was… stressful. Wanna know what I think of January so far? I kinda think it sucks donkey balls. But that’s because certain aspects of my job are making me want to punch someone in the kidneys. Every job can be like that – equal parts awesome and seizure inducing. Trying to organize people this past week has been like trying to herd squirrels. But, next year (SPOILER ALERT), I’ll be cutting back at work, so the things that are annoying me this week? Gone. Well, not actually gone, just on someone else’s plate.
You should also know that I am developing a Security Team. Yah, you read right. It’s a plan that just sort of came to me. You see, after making a pan of these brownies, I remembered that 2.0 and I are supposed to be trying to keep ourselves alive (read: eating healthy crud). So, I gave some of these Caramilk Brownies to my neighbours. I gave some of these magnificent brownies to my neighbours across the street, and to the neighbours beside us. And then I got to thinking: if I feed these people right, they’ll actually maim for me. Like, on command. Now, my life hasn’t been threatened yet, but when you’re this cute, it’s a legitimate concern, and I’m nothing if not prepared.
Let me tell you a little about the brownies that I’m feeding to my henchmen. They are fudgy. They are soft, fudgy brownies with Caramilk bars baked right into the centre of ’em. Oh, and then the whole pan is topped with melted caramels. Yah, you read that right too. Because I treat my posse right. When the topping cools, it hardens a bit (because it’s made of freakin’ caramels, I say, CARAMELS), so the squares aren’t totally gorgeous when you cut them. But you aren’t going to care about that at all once you start scarfing them down.
That being said, I have a recommendation: eat these brownies warm. If you microwave your cooled brownie for about 10-20 seconds, the topping will start to soften and get runny. And the Caramilk bits inside will do the same thing. They’ll start to ooze. Oh boy. So, so good. But just so you know, 2.0 and I ate some in their cooled state too. You know, in the name of science. The topping was stickier, and chewier, but honestly? Just as enjoyable. That’s why people will fight for us. Because we care. We care enough to test brownies extensively, and then we share those brownies. Sure, we share ’em reluctantly, but we share ’em just the same.
So, if you, too, are under threat of kidnapping, or live in a drug infested neighbourhood, bake these tasty treats. And give some to a few people who you think might be convinced to maim for you. Better than a freakin’ home security system.
. . .
Caramilk Brownies
recipe: inspired by Bobbie Marchand and my passion for Caramilk bars
print, bake and give to your henchmen
For the brownies:
- 1/2 cup margarine plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- 6 tablespoons cocoa
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 100 gram Caramilk bars, broken into their individual squares (more or less to taste)
- 20 Kraft caramels
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Begin by making the brownies.
Grease a 9×9 baking pan. Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup margarine over medium-low heat. Add the cocoa and the additional 2 tablespoons of margarine and mix to combine. Remove from heat. Stir in the sugar. Stir in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla. Stir in the flour, mixing until well combined.
Spread about 3/4 of the batter into your baking pan. Place the Caramilk squares in rows on top of the batter. (Don’t press them down, and try to space them somewhat evenly so each and every brownie gets a gooey bite.) Drizzle the remaining batter over the Caramilk squares. Don’t worry if the squares aren’t totally covered – you can use a spatula to gently spread the batter over top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean. Then allow to cool on a rack.
To make the topping: place the caramels in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring almost constantly until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream. Pour over the brownies and spread evenly with a spatula. Allow to cool before eating. (If you can.)
That looks so sinful. So bad, so good. And no, I don’t think I’d wait for it to cool before eating…
Um… I couldn’t wait. I pretty much stuffed my face as soon as I could get ’em cut…
Ha-glad that you have no fear of the dieters revenge or you would have probably hesitated in posting this. I am not dieting-so I must say it is a delicious and evil indulgence!
I see no need to fear dieters. They are too weak FROM DIETING to do anything. Except, perhaps, whimper as I eat Caramilk brownies in front of them…
Oh my goodness.. I thought this was a serious post until I saw the bottom of your first photo! Couldn’t stop laughing, but I have to also say I’m sorry your job is getting you down. A few of these would make all the difference!! This is a dangerous recipe to own…
Most aspects of my job are the bomb – truly! But on some days… oh boy. However, chocolate and caramel really do help. Magic!
OMG they look soooooooooooooooo good. I am drooling on my laptop. I am on a diet so I do kinda hate you a little at the minute, but it won’t last, don’t worry.
I need to add, your blog is look mighty posh of late! oh and jobs suck! I hope yours stops sucking so much soon 🙂
Why thank you! I figured it was time for a new look on this here blog… and it’s a hint of what’s to come…
(Do you still hate me?)
Nah… it’s wearing off 🙂
you’re going to discard baking and focus solely on creating elaborate finger puppets?!!
…or is that not the hint you’re going for?
Close, but no…
Psssh, using tasty treats in order to bribe people to kill for you is like sooo last year.
Right now it’s all about imbuing the goods with drugs, getting the people hooked on a high that will leave them wanting more and willing to do anything (and I mean ANYTHING) to get their hands on some.
Or just…you know…buy a sword.
You are so wise. I think you should be the Captain of Team Movita. And we’ll get lots of swords!
I can say from experience, these brownies are the ultimate in chocolaty carmelly goodness, and they were delicious, however, I’m note sure if I would kill for you….may require more food to decide that.
Kill just one of the dudes with the loud cars on our street and I’ll give you A WHOLE PAN OF CARAMILK BROWNIES.
I just laughed so hard reading this. You are hilarious, Movita. I would love to be a part of your Killing Team if it means you bake for me. Heck yes! Daydreaming of de-glutenizing and veganizing these brownies now…
Alright, you are officially on the team. I’m thinking we might need jackets. With a fancy logo. I’m on it.
Can we also put cute little stickers on our silent rifles? You know, something that says, “I’m one tough mofo but still look awesome in a pair of heels”…
These look so good (first picture needs to win an award) that I want to volunteer to be a part of this in exchange for some. But that would make your killing team international and that may subject you to an INTERPOL investigation, so I’ll just stop it and go back to staring at picture number 1.
Uh, I HAVE A KILLING TEAM. I’m not ascared of INTERPOL. INTERPOL should be ascared of me. And my sticky henchmen. Because I doubt henchmen wash their hands after eating caramel topped brownies.
Ohhhh lord. There goes any nonexistent plan I had to be good this year. And I agree, January is terrible. WTF 2012?
Right? Chocolate and caramel definitely help though…
Pffffft, diet?! No way man. These look absolutely awesome. So decadent and warming. I love them, Movita!
Okay. You are demonstrating some good leadership skills here. I think you could be the brains behind Team Movita. And, you cook, so it is unlikely that other members of the team will turn on you…
There is no such diet here!! Bring on the caramilk brownies!!
I knew I liked you for a reason.
IN MY FACE IN MY FACE IN MY FACE. Is where I need these brownies. They look so good I nearly licked the screen. I didn’t though. Maybe.
Screen licking is to be considered housework. Housework is to be rewarded with brownies.
Win win.
My word…I think I’m in food love.
You know, you can always send some out west. You know, like a care package/bribe 😉
BTW, the site is looking slick!
Why thank you, m’lady! You obviously have good taste. I think I will put you in charge of styling movita fans. There’s no reason we can’t eat our faces off, get huge AND be fashion forward.
I wish I had one of those right now, I’m having a massive sugar craving. It looks dynamite.
This brownie will end all sugar cravings. For at least an hour. Then you might want more…
This was a fantastic read, all accompanied by this luscious looking treat.
Thanks – I was just checking out your blog – it’s the bomb!
AH! give me theeeeese. i am such a caramel girl.
lovely blog 😀
Thank you so much!
I have withheld a frozen chocolate peanut butter pie from the family ever since you all were teenagers – for fear that it would kill you. And now you go ahead and make these.
Sigh. May as well dig the recipe out for the next time you’re over. You are all already on the health road to hell.
But we only ate a couple – because we fed our neighbours. A perfect balance. (Or, we’re taking other people down with us.)
Diets are the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of.
Better be careful who you let on your team… if they can be swayed by brownies (although I’m sure they’re really super delicious-like, cause you told me they were), who knows what they could be swayed by.
I live in a drug-infested neighborhood. Bath salts. I get nervous every time I have to descend the small hill that leads to the town’s decrepit monkey dust circles. Ain’ no Vampire Weekend song about that topic. I may not be on the health road to hell, but I could indeed be on the life road to hell.
Ah well, time for some brownies!
Down with diets! Up with bribes!
Oh man. You are worse than I am 🙂 Those look friggin’ delicious, I could eat the entire pan all by myself and not feel one ounce of guilt! I would be proud…you should be proud.
Let’s face it, the real reason I gave some of these away? So I wouldn’t eat THE WHOLE PAN myself…
Ah Movita, you’re just all kinds of awesome. May have to start my own team of killers, you never can be too safe.
So true. I’ve found that a sweet bribe can go a long way to making life just that little bit easier…
Finally got a chance to read this mmm mmm mmm caramel chocolatey goodness oh my post! YUM.
But hey, I like your thinking. I’ve been feeding people at my work places for years. Cos I’m a’gonna need me some minions willing to lay down their pitiful lives and fight to the death when yours truly takes over the cosmos. Nof if. When. And dammit I think these brownies are a good addition to the arsenal of any wannabe cosmic dictator (benevolent of course…it’ll be fine…).
Totally agree, these would be caramellotastic if served warm and all gooey-like.
Best wishes for downsizing at work…hope the stress levels lessen and you get more time for bakin’. 😀
Oh, there’s gonna be loads of time for baking! Like, EVERY DAY!
I’m thinking we might need to join forces. International teams? Clearly, you’ve got a master plan, so you could be in charge. I’ll lead a small Canadian arsenal of sweet-toothed avengers. I’m thinking it could be pretty dope…
Isa wonders whether they are moist… So are they? Are they moist? It’s almost odd, so many descriptions of sumptuous goodies here and never any acknowledgement to MOISTness. Why is that?!?
It is with deep regret that I must admit that they are, indeed… ahem, they are, indeed… nope. Can’t do it. Let’s just say they are not dry.
lol global teams … the League of Just Desserts … sounds like superheros but we know our plan is evil .. sugar, butter and mmm mmm MOIST delicious goodness are our weapons… 🙂
YUm, I’m going to make caramel again this weekend now…see what you’ve done?
Holy caramel. And they’re still warm? Such a fan.
I think the key phrase is: holy caramel.
hey, how did I come up as ANONYMOUS up there before???? YO, it’s just me with my League of Just Desserts 🙂
I’m liking this official name. Really lends itself to logos, t-shirts and the like…
Everyone’s on a brownie craze lately!! I always kind of love brownies warm or hot… 🙂 The chocolates melt right!
There must be something about January that makes us all want warm chocolatey things. As in… I want something warm and chocolatey right now…
What on earth? Caramel and chocolate brownies…now you’re just showing off. 😉
These look yum. But I don’t like caramel. However, I will give January the finger. That makes me an automatic team movita member, ya?
Ya!
Om nom nom…that is literally the only noise I can make looking at these, they look so delicious and just the sort of thing everyone should be eating in January 🙂 Yum.
Yes. It should be law. Desserts all round in January!
These are evil. I like it. 🙂
These are probably the creamiest, dreamiest caramel brownies I have ever had the fortune to see – gorgeous blog 🙂
Why thank you! You should probably make some. And eat them in a corner all by yourself…
I’m not sure what I love more-caramel or brownies…both together is like heaven for me!! OMG. Thank you for this recipe, I can’t wait to make these once I finish my most recent batch 🙂
xoxo
Kristi
Yay! (I’m really liking that you are planning batches of brownies in advance. You’re my kind of gal…)
[…] get much dreamier for a food blogger than getting accepted to baking school? If you’ve seen her Caramilk Brownies or her Pretty In Pink Cottage done in gingerbread, then you know she’ll make the most of every […]
you made my day!!! you are so funny!!! i’ll try your brownies tommorow..thank’s for the recipe!!!
Comments on this post are now closed as it was published in January 2012. Happy baking!