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Let’s talk about something real today.

Current events? Politics? Religion?

Here’s something.  Yesterday I ordered my groceries on-line.  It felt heretical.  It felt momentous.  It felt like something that should be on the evening news.

Yet, for some odd reason, Katie Couric did not appear at my apartment to interview me.  Which is why I’m sharing with you now.  The world needs to know.

It was an action born of necessity.  The necessity to learn how to be a doctor before Monday.  That, apparently, trumps meandering around Whole Foods with a sparkle in my eye and the wind in my hair.  Not my rules, but I still have to live by them.

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You want to hear something else?

The world is ending on Saturday.

And, I’ll be honest with you.  I’m pretty pissed about it.

I should be in Paris eating croissants. Or Italy, making out with a hot skeevy beautiful Italian man.  Or at Ben and Jerry’s headquarters consuming Vermonsters like my life depends on it.

Instead, I’ll be surrounding by index cards.  What a way to go.

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That’s why I need to share this recipe with you today.  Get it off my chest and into your stomach.

Cause you’re going to be really sad if the world does in fact end and you haven’t ever eaten these.

After I made my crystallized ginger dark chocolate brownies, I was pretty sure that I had reached the pinnacle of brownie baking.  I was wrong.

These sweet and salty brownies from Baked Explorations have (a) more chocolate in them and (b) a middle layer of salty caramel that seeps into the batter so that while you can’t necessarily taste it outright, you are most certainly swept away by how amazingly rich and seductive it makes them.  This is the last brownie recipe you’ll ever need.

Which, um. Is a good thing.  You know. Given the circumstances of Saturday.

I highly advise that you make them.  Tonight.  Right now.  Time is of the essence.

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Sweet and Salty Brownies
Makes 12 large brownies or 24 small brownies, adapted from Baked Explorations

For the Caramel Filling
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp light corn syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp fleur de sel (I used sea salt)
1/4 cup greek yogurt

For the Brownie
1 1/4 cup AP flour
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp dark unsweetened cocoa powder
11 oz quality dark chocolate (60-72%), coarsely chopped (I used Callebaut, which is sold at Whole Foods)
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
5 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and corn syrup with 1/4 cup water, stirring them together carefully so you don’t splash the sides of the pan.  Cook over high heat until an instant-read thermometer reads 350 degrees F, or until the mixture is dark amber in color (beware it will go from golden brown to burnt very quickly!), 6-8 minutes.  Remove from the heat and slowly add the cream (be careful, it will bubble up!) and then the fleur de sel.  Whisk in the greek yogurt.  Set aside to cool.

2. Preheat oven to 350.

3. Butter the sides and bottom of a glass or light-colored metal 9×13 inch pan.  Line the bottom with a sheet of parchment paper and butter the parchment paper.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and cocoa powder.

5. Place the chocolate and butter in a metal bowl.  Set over a pan of simmering water (basically, a double boiler) and stir occasionally until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and combined.  Turn off the heat, but keep the bowl over the water of the double boiler and add both sugars.  Whisk until completely combined and remove the bowl from the pan.  Let sit until it’s at room temperature.

6. Add three eggs to the chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined.  Add the remaining eggs and whisk until just combined.  Add the vanilla and stir until combined.  DO NOT OVERBEAT, as this will make the brownies cakey.

7. Sprinkle the flour mixture over the chocolate.  Using a spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until there is only a trace amount of flour visible.

8. Pour half of the brownie mixture into the pan and smooth the top with a spatula.  Drizzle about 3/4 cup of the caramel (no more, otherwise it will pour out over the edges and burn.  You will have extra.  Eat it with a spoon. I dare you.) over the brownie layer in a zigzag pattern, taking care to make sure the caramel does not come in contact with the edges of the pan or it will burn (see, told ya so).  Use your offset spatula to spread the caramel evenly across the brownie layer.  In heaping spoonfuls, scoop the rest of the brownie batter over the caramel layer.  Smooth the brownie batter gently to cover the caramel layer.

9. Bake the brownies for 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, and check to make sure the brownies are completely done by sticking a toothpick in the center of the pan.  The brownies are done when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

10. Remove the brownies from the oven.  Cool completely before cutting and serving.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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124 Responses to Sweet and Salty Brownies

  1. Oh my! I am so glad you told me that! I won’t feel guilty for eating all that garlic bread last night!! In fact, I’m going to have another piece right now!

    And I just might make these, I need to make something for a girls party tomorrow. Of course, waiting until tomorrow to eat them might just be a mistake. Oh, and I so love how you cut the middle out first!!

  2. Simply Life says:

    oh wow, I really do need to eat those before the world ends 🙂

  3. Oh my goodness! These are picture perfect!

  4. Beth says:

    This would be a great way to go. These brownies sound amazing!

  5. They look heavenly! Nothing like a dessert that contains salty and sweet…that’s my favorite. Man, I have a long list of things to get to today…pesky predictions.

  6. your first had me a sweet and salty brownie but then I read the rest of the story and now I am totally convinced that I must make them in the next hour. Literally, the next hour they sound so good. you did say time was of the essence right?

  7. I’m sure Katie would have been there if it hadn’t been her last night as anchor. I’m not a sweet fan, but I can eat a whole tray of brownies… these look wonderful.

  8. Wish I could order these brownies on-line:)

  9. Kim says:

    Oh yes! These brownies look all fudgey and delicious and I’m loving that salty layer of caramel in the middle. I’d love to have the Baked cookbook (both of them). I’m definitely going to have to try these (after a drop the pounds I gained from hosting my own bake sale this past weekend). LOL!

    P.S. I read that article. We sure have some crazy people in this world. I can’t believe that a parent would tell their child they won’t go to heaven. Good grief!

  10. Ada says:

    Oh my gosh, I want one of those right this second. I’ve ordered Fresh Direct in desperate times as well and it is certainly interesting. I like using it for heavy items like detergent or olive oil. Good luck studying!

  11. These brownies are a pure devilish temptation and the idea of a salty caramel filling is total bliss I bet I can wait for Dooms-Saturday munching them and sipping a glass of champagne for me…
    Good luck for your exams 🙂

  12. These brownies look like heaven! How appropriate for the world ending:-) Seriously, though, I need to make these yesterday.

  13. They look so moist and the seet salty part sounds delightful. Great recipe, Joanne!

  14. Yeah, these look pretty awesome. Now hop on a plane to Italy and find that hot Italian man before it’s too late!

  15. Wow…. if I have to go, then these are most certainly fit for a last meal. They sound delicious!

  16. kate says:

    Those look so amazingly good!!

  17. Lora says:

    Perfect end of the world snack. Those Baked boys rock. Good luck on your boards!!! Die daumen drücken.

  18. Claudie says:

    I’m looking at the first brownies pic, and I almost have the feeling there’s so much chocolate, they’re going to fall out of my computer screen, right into my hands. Which just works fine for me 😉 those are MY type of brownies. Definitely the type I’d bake for the end of the world 🙂

  19. Eating these would be a fine way to say good-bye to this crazy world; anything baked with Callebaut has got my vote!

  20. Julie says:

    I’ve been trying to get things lined up for this end of the world thing too, but nobody’s taking me seriously. I think I’ll be at work when it happens, wonder if they’ll forward me my check? I’d rather have one of these stuffed in my face at the time, that’s for sure!

  21. jenna laughs says:

    I can’t believe these are real. I am DYING. So fudgy and thick and beautiful!

  22. Candace says:

    okay, I was all set to make a luscious fruit dip for my grandgirl’s first birthday party Sunday….assuming we are all still here, of course…..but you’ve changed my mind. I may have to make these instead…or in addition to….oh I might just go make them for breakfast now. What the heck right?

  23. WOW, these look absolutely amazing. I am drooling…

  24. Dawn says:

    Well this will work out perfectly because I will ONLY bake a seductive brownie. Especially one that is salty and sweet.
    I must get going so I can make these before the world ends. It was so nice knowing you. 😉

  25. Nelly says:

    So apparently this is just the rapture, not the apocalypse. Which means that all the good true Christians will disappear into Heaven and the rest of us will be left here forever to deal with all the disasters (floods, earthquakes, the fact that we went ahead and gorged on an entire pan of these brownies). As a certified pagan, I’m getting left miles behind anyone else, so…can I have your cookbooks? 😀

  26. Cate says:

    Further proof I MUST HAVE Baked Explorations added to my cookbook library immediately! I loved the sweet and salty cake from their first book… I can only imagine how awesome it is in brownie form. Good luck with your studying this weekend!

  27. vanillasugar says:

    i love my baked boys. they have modern baking down pat. right? right.
    and thanks for putting the idea of eating croissants in paris in my head—that’s my goal, my dream, my obsession.

  28. Do you know exactly what time the world’s supposed to end tomorrow? Just wondering if I could put off baking these until the a.m..

    Look delicious!

    Best,
    Bonnie

  29. Hannah says:

    Now look what you’ve done here… I’ve just barely finished my last bite of breakfast (okay, it was late anyway) and your post has already got me craving chocolate like a demon. Ack, there may NEED to be a pan of brownies in my near future, too!

  30. Marcia says:

    Love the sweet and salty thing, but my butt can’t handle those right now.

  31. you had me at “salty layer of caramel” ARE YOU FOR REAL GIRL! These look freaking amazing!

  32. Kim says:

    You had me at more chocolate and salty caramel… I’m very excited to try these! They look amazing. ANd hopefully will satisfy my chocolate cravings before the end of the world comes! Or doesn’t. Either way, I’ll be a happy camper!

  33. Caramel. That has my attention. Sweet and salty. GORE-MAY! These look freakin’ moist and decadent. I’m on it!

  34. Suman Singh says:

    these look absolutely scrumptious…loved the recipe..thanks for sharing!

  35. Delicious sweet and salty brownie. I can eat a lot of this.

  36. sofia says:

    would love for the world to end as i’m blogging whilst housing these brownies, chocolate smeared on my face and all. lovely image, no?

  37. Mmmmm! My husband is a brownie addict, so I’ll have to try these! The world had better not end tomorrow, because I definitely don’t have time to make this tonight (dangit).

  38. Megan says:

    I am sitting here innocently giggling as I read this. I have been away for about a month and I have to say, I have truly missed reading your posts. They are always sure to make me smile and drool at the same time…which is pretty awkward…and is why I love it all the more. Thanks again for the wit and deliciousness. 🙂

  39. The world better not end on Saturday – we’re finally getting spring! Oh my gosh, these look gooey and delicious. What a way to go!

  40. cookingbride says:

    If the world is ending, well then I might just have garlic mashed potatoes for dinner. Nothing else, jsut mashed potatoes. And these brownies.

    Do me a favor, at least drink a bottle of wine with those index cards. 🙂

  41. sweetlife says:

    this end of the world thing is really not helping to shape my weekend, so many things planned..sweet and salty..oh I would need at least two of these pans..wanna go out with chocolate on my cheeks!!

    sweetlife
    off to visit marcus sma blog

  42. Mmm, mmm! What a way to go indeed! 🙂 Love how moist these look and am dreaming of that subtle salty caramel filling. Yumm!!!!

  43. Nicole, RD says:

    Drool! Well, if these surpass the amazingness that is the ginger brownies, I guess these should just go straight to the top of the list, huh? 🙂 I’m rather upset about the world ending this weekend, too. But glass half full – it’s going to be 80! On the day the world ends, there better be fabulous weather where ever I am!

    P.S. The salmon in the foil w/ green beans and pesto was outta this world.

  44. Melissa says:

    Words can’t express how badly I want one of these right now. I want them, I need them, I must bake these.

  45. That Girl says:

    When I was studying for the bar a lot if my friends got their groceries delivered. To me that’s some real studying dedication!

  46. Ah…these brownies look amazing. I.want.them.now!!! Especially if tomorrow’s it for all of us 🙂

  47. Louanne says:

    Yeah, not too happy about end of the world, but hey, brownies are good anytime, and these look fantastic. Adding necessary items to grocery list…

  48. Amy says:

    The world is ending…that’s this weekend? I almost forgot. I guess I can skip that trip to Target for more toilet paper.

    I have a favorite brownie recipe, by your description, and certainly the addition of caramel might take over.

    I had Fruit Loops for breakfast. And that’s not really breakfast at all, is it? Would much rather have had one of these. Sigh. What’s a girl got to live for. Guess it doesn’t matter, since the world is ending tomorrow.

  49. Pam says:

    The look so rich, gooey, decadent, and delicious! The perfect treat to face the end of the world.

  50. Nicole says:

    Holy yumminess!!
    Crack me up about the skeezy italian dude!

  51. Shannon says:

    oh my gosh, i must try these. they sound heavenly…..

  52. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, The brownies look delicious. I would like to be in Paris or Italy too. Blessings, Catherine xoxo

  53. Shannon says:

    Sweet and salty brownies?! GET IN ME.

    Everytime you make a delicious baked good (so really, everytime you make a baked good), I want to jump on the megabus to NYC.

  54. Gary says:

    Divine, but your pics always are. Don’t worry about Katie Couric not showing up. She’s got bigger issues this week!

  55. Megan says:

    I have opened to that page in the cookbook so many times but still have not made these. Something to put on the agenda before the world ends!

  56. I’d pick those for one last snack! I heard it was ending tomorrow, otherwise I bet Katie might have stopped by. THOSE LOOK AMAZING!

    World ends tomorrow, no blog post on Sunday?

  57. Karen says:

    I’ve never seen anything look so chocolatey!

  58. Kristen says:

    Sigh. I have yet to figure out those scaremongers who shout about the end of the world. There is just too much to get done to waste time worrying.
    I may be able to squeeze in time to make a salty caramel filled brownie, though. YUM!

  59. These look so so perfect! Love how moist these look.Wish could have one rightaway!Ha ha …I read about world is going to end..wish I could have known it little before so atleast I could have gone to India and met mom..sigh!

  60. aipi says:

    Oh my my ~ that is decadence !! Perfectly baked, moist and so chocolatee. wish I could have a bite….well, more than a bite!
    US Masala

  61. Swathi says:

    Delicious with sweet and saltiness, love them to core. wish i could have a bite.

  62. Tammy says:

    Oooh how gorgoues!!! You’ve got me going crazy over these, Joanne! Sweet & salty- there’s nothing better!

    Hugs,
    Tammy

  63. I better make these tonight…don’t want to miss my chance on something that looks this good.

  64. Salt and chocolate are such an incredible combination. Thanks for sharing, and good luck with all those index cards.

  65. Corina says:

    These look amazing – every time I see someone’s made brownies I drool!

  66. I think these would qualify as spoon brownies. I laughed out loud when you wrote that the recipe could make 12 large brownies or 24 small ones. Who in their right mind would eat a little itty bitty brownie?! Makes no sense. I really should break out that book and make these myself. My stomach’s already growling.

  67. Miriam says:

    Thank you for saving me from never seeing this recipe before the world ends! :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  68. teresa says:

    oh my gosh, please let me be eating these before when the world ends, they look incredible!

  69. Oh my, what a way to go!
    Please take me with you to Italy, and see if your paramour has a daddy for me. 😉
    I am loving the salty/sweet and that filling!

  70. Veronica says:

    LOL, if you had one last thing to share b4 the world ends, I’m so glad it is this recipe! These look completely insane!! In a totally wonderful way. Wow. This might be the recipe to make me break my box brownie mix habit.

  71. Groan I feel so sorry for those kids. Maybe on Sunday they’ll find new homes lol! If they’re right though I better make these brownies. I want to eat them before I die.

  72. Julie says:

    Seriously I know I should be somewhere else besides here if the world is going to end. Italy, Paris, New York, LA?

    Or I should be making these brownies. This is the second recipe for the sweet and salty brownie I’ve seen lately. They look so delicious.

    Good luck with the studies.

  73. kankana says:

    OHH that news of world ending…i don’t know what to say !!!
    These brownies are just gorgeous .. SO SO SO MOIST .. I want grab one right now and take a big bite 🙂

  74. Coco says:

    Oh my goodness! I have come across so many recipes for brownies and these, by far, look to be the most moist, most delicious, most righteous brownies EVER! I so cannot wait to make these!

  75. megi says:

    Joanne, the brownies look so moist and so delicious, it would be perfect now with a hot cup of tea.

  76. omg! this looks amazing! moist and chocolatey.
    end of the world…i wanna say that i wanna travel…but wouldn’t everyone be doing the same? let me just hug my family more 😀 and maybe eat this brownie…

  77. Vivienne says:

    thank you joanne, for sharing the ONLY brownie recipe ill ever need to know! haha. i dont make them very often, but will def use this recipe if i do (need to impress someone).

    haha interesting article, didnt know about the world ending news…so that family just made up this date pretty much?! crazy!

  78. Kerstin says:

    Sold at caramel filling – they sound amazing!

  79. Johanna GGG says:

    Nope, can’t see the layer in the photos and they are so clear that if it was visible I would see them – seems I really just need to taste the brownies – good luck with the index cards and eating all the good food before the world ends (and I am sure all the news feeds will be scanning your blog for momentous news so it is probably wise to post it here)

  80. OohLookBel says:

    Oh, yum! It just goes to show that the search for the ultimate brownie recipe is neverending. Someone should write a story about it, ‘The Neverending Brownie Story’… =)

  81. Martha (MM) says:

    The world can’t end yet because I haven’t had a chance to try these brownies yet!! I’m not even a big dessert fan but these look and sound so delicious! Emergency Rapture evacuation plan – let’s all meet on cloud 9! 😉

  82. Holy WOW! These look crazy delicious. And if the world is going to come to an end today, I might as well fill up on these.

  83. These look incredibly moist, and you are right I should eat these before the world ends…Oh wait it’s today 🙁

  84. Peggy says:

    I’m preparing for the Rapture, myself – I might have to add making these brownies on the list =)

    Hopefully, we’ll both “see” eachother on Monday

  85. Nadji says:

    J’adore les gâteaux au chocolat et j’ai de la fleur de sel.
    Ton brownie est magnifique de gourmandise. On a envie de mordre dedans tout de suite.
    A très bientôt.

  86. Mary says:

    I think I’ve fallen in love. These look and sound amazing. I know my family would share my feelings. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  87. What a tempting and gorgeous treat!

  88. Kristin says:

    So far so good on the west coast but I believe they said 6pm. So there is still some time left for me to make these delicious brownies before the end falls upon us.

  89. I agree, if the world is going to end, then why am I not in Tuscany, drinking a red and eating some amazing gnocchi with a crazy chicken liver sauce on it. May as well go out in style.
    These brownies are “redic delish” (if I may borrow that stupid phrase).
    I won’t make them, but I will dream about them.
    Hope to see you on Monday!

  90. Maria says:

    I guess we can now safely say the world did not end after all (PHEW!) and we can savour these delicious brownies with a sense of relief 😉

  91. OMG these are the fudgiest brownies I’ve ever seen!!!

  92. Elizabeth says:

    I never really thought I would like the sweet & salty combination until I had salted caramel on ice cream at a restaurant. Now I’ve learned my lesson. 😉

    These look great. If I wasn’t baking cookies right now, I’d be out buying the ingredients. You know, seeing as how it’s after 6 pm EDT and I haven’t been raptured.

  93. Carolyn Jung says:

    If the world were ending, I’d happily eat a whole pan of these. After all, I wouldn’t have to worry about going to the gym tomorrow then. 😉

  94. Mo 'Betta says:

    Alright Dr. J – get back to studying! These brownies look phenomenal.

  95. theUngourmet says:

    Brownies made with yogurt?! These are calling out to me!

    Yup, It’s nearly eleven and I’m still here. ;D

  96. daphne says:

    LOL thank goodness you continued with your index cards.. esp since the world did not end! 🙂 this is the first time I have seen corn syrup and cream in brownies! I’m liking it already.

  97. Barbara says:

    Well, it’s Sunday and I’m still here. 🙂 And still have time to make these brownies. Lord, can a recipe be any better??? Caramel AND chocolate? OMG.

  98. Raina says:

    Thank goodness the world did not end. Now I can try these amazing brownies. That salty caramel layer sounds incredible. And maybe you still have a chance with that hot, skeevy Italian…lol I love that you said skeevy; you are a true east coast Italian:)

  99. crustabakes says:

    This brownie is a good way to go, we should make form an organization and make this by the truckloads for inevitable 2012.

  100. It sounds so beautiful even when you are ranting LOL
    I bet it would be really really fun to hang around with you!
    Those brownies..sweet and salty…that’s how I love my desserts. Well done!

  101. Claudia says:

    Also, when you get really old, and they take your driver’s license away, you can get your groceries delivered. If the world hasn’t ended by then. A friend and I were out poolside, sipping beer, eating chips, and forgot the world was ending. Totally missed all the excitement.

    Your brownies would have been really good to help with that.

  102. Lori says:

    I had dessert yesterday and a few cocktails, just in case it was the last opportunity. 😉 I’ve had brownies on my mind all week. These look so good!

  103. Julie says:

    good news! we’re still alive! so now you can be a doctor AND continue to make/eat/sleep with chocolate ahah

  104. Reeni says:

    The sound of the caramel oozing throughout the middles has me in a swoon! Thank goodness the world is still here so I can try these!

  105. C. Bannon says:

    These look so moist and amazing, I am just wondering if the pic has the carmel layer- I am not seeing it, so did it just bake into all that gooey goodness?

  106. Emily says:

    Heyyy we made it! All right!

    Your brownies look great. Sooo moist!

  107. Dana says:

    I’ve made these brownies twice. They annoy me because they are more work than I want them to be. Like, the reason we make brownies is so that we don’t have to work as hard as we do when we make cookies, right? But the thing is that they are undeniably delicious and really truly the best brownie I’ve ever had and probably the last thing I want to eat before the world ends, and so I will make them again.

  108. I am so happy the world didn’t end before I got to see these brownies–they look fabulous. ;-p

  109. I love it when it’s salty sweet. Perfect for brownies. Must. Try. Now!

  110. Debbie says:

    Glad we are all still here and the world didn’t end. That also means I will have the chance to make those brownies!!!

  111. Oh hey we’re still here ;p. Looks like that dude is wrong again. Must say I’m glad — one reason among many being that these brownies look amazing and I don’t want to go without having tried them at least once!

  112. grace says:

    these are gorgeous. i personally prefer my brownies to be so gooey, they look like they’re nowhere near done. nice.

  113. Victoria says:

    Thankfully the world did not come to an end, so I still have time to try these 🙂 love you and am totally thinking of you at this exact second as you are undergoing torture in the form of a 7-hour-long test!

  114. Stephanie says:

    It’s a damn good thing the world didn’t end since I didn’t discover these until after the fact. Lucky for me, I still have a chance.

  115. Yum Joanne, those brownies are to die for. I can eat the whole batch all by myself 🙂

  116. brandi says:

    these would definitely be on my list of things to eat before the world ends.

  117. Time is of the essence to eat brownies! haha Well, looks like we all have time to make them as the rapture was a bust.

  118. Ashley A. says:

    Made them. Love them. Ohmygod.

  119. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Women you are killing me! These look freaking amazing. I’m glad the world didn’t end. I need to make these brownies.

  120. Yummmmmmm these brownies look so fudgey and gooey with a delicious top.

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