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    Home » Recipes » Blog

    Caramel Crunch Brownies - Rich, Decadent & Delicious!

    September 24, 2018 By Sara McCleary Updated November 29, 2020 - This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Caramel Crunch Brownies, or should that be Caramel Crunch Bars? Dense chocolate brownie base slathered in creamy caramel crunch and then topped with thick rich dark chocolate ganache.

    There is always a box of rice bubbles (rice crispies) in my pantry. We don’t eat them for breakfast, they are totally utilised for cooking. Usually finding their way into recipes that involve chocolate.

    Caramel Crunch Brownies - You could also call these Caramel Crunch Bars. Traditional caramel recipe with rice puffs are the filling to these rich dark chocolate brownies

    I love the texture and crunch that puffed rice cereal adds to chocolate. It is probably one of the simplest ways to add interest and texture to chocolate. In this case they were used to make the caramel crunch in these caramel crunch brownies.

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    You will find recipes for caramel crunch brownies, caramel crunch bars and chocolate crunch bars all of the internet. This particular recipe has been adapted from Donna Hay’s caramel crunch brownie recipe.

    Caramel Crunch Brownies - Simple dark chocolate ganache tops the caramel filling of these chocolate caramel brownies.

    I’ve adapted the recipe as, to be quite frank, the Donna Hay recipe weights and temperatures were a little out of whack. If somebody from the Donna Hay team is reading this, 160 Deg C does not equal 350 Deg F.

    To be honest the Donna Hay mistakes made me feel good. Okay, so that sounds rather sad on my part, but It showed that being a blogger or a National magazine, we all make mistakes. I know that the wonderful Belly Rumbles’ readers email me on the odd occasion. “Sara, where do I add the vanilla? You mention it in the ingredients, but not the method.” I really do try to not stuff things up guys, but it does happen.

    Once something goes to print there really isn’t much you can do about it. What surprises me is that the corrections haven’t been made to the online version of Donna’s recipe….

    Caramel Crunch Brownies or Caramel Crunch Bars - French style caramel with rice puffs, classic chocolate ganache and rich chocolate brownie base

    These caramel crunch brownies are rich and decadent. The caramel is creamy with the fun crunch of puffed rice. Sandwiched between a dense dark chocolate brownie base and a generous slathering of rich dark chocolate ganache.

    Recipe hazard zones

    Dark Chocolate Brownie
    Watch the timing when cooking. Check brownie with a skewer around the 15 minute mark. I used a 23cm (9 inch) square tin as it was the one I own which has a removable base (push tin). You could use a 20cm (8 inch) tin for a thicker base if you would prefer, but the cooking time will be a little longer, around 25 minutes.

    Caramel Crunch
    When first dissolving the sugar over a low heat brush any sugar crystals from the sides of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush. This will help prevent your caramel crystallising.
    Have cream and butter ready to add to the sugar mixture as soon as it gets to temperature.
    Use a saucepan which will give you ample room for the caramel to bubble up when adding the cream and butter. It will bubble up quite dramatically, be very careful to not burn yourself from the steam it creates as well.
    It is essential to use a whisk to incorporate the cream when pouring it into the sugar mixture. I find it easiest to add the cream first, whisk that in, and then add the butter.

    Chocolate Ganache
    To avoid burning the ganache melt the chocolate into the cream over a low heat. I tend to remove the saucepan from the heat and continue to mix. Placing it back on the heat if needed to continue melting the chocolate. Using grated chocolate, or finely chopped chocolate will also make the task easier.

    Special equipment for this recipe

    23cm (9 inch) loose base square cake tin. Having a loose base (push tin) will make your life so much easier when it comes to removing the caramel crunch brownies from the tin. If you don’t have a square loose base tin, you could use a round one. Cut the caramel crunch brownies into thin wedges instead of bars or squares.

    Caramel Crunch Brownies - Caramel Crunch Bars with a dark chocolate brownie base, crunchy caramel filling topped with rich decadent dark chocolate ganache.

    I use a candy thermometer that hooks on to the side of my saucepan. This allows me to leave it in the bubbling sugar mixture permanently while cooking. Most candy thermometers come with some sort of hook or attaching method.

    Special Ingredients for this Recipe

    All ingredients for this recipe are probably in your fridge and pantry right now. In regard to the chocolate ganache, use a good quality chocolate that you like the taste of. I used a dark chocolate which was 70% cocoa.

    What to do with any leftovers

    These caramel crunch brownies are rich, a small piece goes a long way. There will be leftovers unless you are making this for entertaining. Store unrefrigerated in an airtight container and best eaten within two days. Alternatively, they will keep in the fridge for longer, which is where my leftovers are right now. But it is important to note that the ganache may discolour a little and the caramel will become rock solid. If you are going to eat all of the caramel crunch brownies within two days, my advice is don’t refrigerate.

    Sara xxx

    Caramel Crunch Brownies or are they Chocolate Caramel Crunch Brownies? These brownie bars are delicious beyond belief.

    Caramel Crunch Brownies

    Recipe Author: Sara McCleary
    Caramel Crunch Brownies, or should that be Caramel Crunch Bars? Dense chocolate brownie base slathered in creamy caramel crunch and then topped with thick rich dark chocolate ganache.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 40 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Slices
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 Servings
    Calories 380 kcal

    Ingredients

    Brownie Base

    • 100 grams dark chocolate chopped
    • 125 grams (½ cup) butter ½ cup (unsalted)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
    • 175 grams (1 cup) dark brown sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 125 grams (⅔ cup) plain flour, sifted
    • 1 tablespoon cocoa
    • Pinch of salt

    Caramel Crunch

    • 450 grams (2 cups) caster sugar (superfine sugar)
    • 125 ml (½ cup) water
    • 125 ml (½ cup) pouring cream (single cream)
    • 30 grams (1 heaped tablespoon) butter
    • 60 grams (2 cups) puffed rice cereal (rice bubbles/rice crispies)

    Chocolate Ganache

    • 300 grams dark chocolate grated or finely chopped
    • 125 ml (½ cup) pouring cream (single cream)

    Instructions
     

    Brownie Base

    • Preheat oven 180 Deg C (350 Deg F).
    • Grease a 23cm (9 inch) loose base square cake tin and line with non-stick baking paper.
    • Place chocolate, butter and vanilla bean paste in a small saucepan. Over a low heat melt butter and chocolate, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set chocolate mixture aside.
    • In a medium bowl place sugar, eggs, flour and cocoa. Pour in chocolate mixture and mix until well combined.
    • Pour brownie mix into the prepared cake tin. Place in oven and bake on the middle rack for 20 minutes or until set.
    • Allow the brownie base to cool in the tin.

    Caramel Crunch

    • Place sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Over a low heat stir the sugar mixture until the sugar has dissolved. Brush any sugar crystals from the sides of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush.
    • Once sugar has dissolved hook candy thermometer to the inside of the saucepan.
    • From this point on do not stir the sugar mixture.
    • Turn up the heat and bring the sugar mixture to the boil and cook for 10 minutes or until the sugar mixture starts to turn a dark golden caramel colour and reaches 180 Deg C (350 Deg F).
    • Remove from the heat and whisk in cream and butter until well combined.
    • Stir through the puffed rice cereal.
    • With the brownie base still in the tin, pour the caramel crunch mixture over the top of the brownie base, smooth the top.
    • Set aside for around 30 minutes until the caramel crunch is almost set.

    Chocolate Ganache

    • Place chocolate and cream in a small saucepan. Over a low heat stir until the chocolate has melted into the cream and the mixture is smooth.
    • Pour ganache over the caramel crunch layer.
    • Leave to cool at room temperature for around 3 hours or until set. Cut into bars to serve.

    Notes

    Be Careful When Baking The Brownie Layer
    Watch the timing when cooking. Check brownie with a skewer around the 15 minute mark. I used a 23cm (9 inch) square tin as it was the one I own which has a removable base (push tin). You could use a 20cm (8 inch) tin for a thicker base if you would prefer, but the cooking time will be a little longer, around 25 minutes.
    Tips For Making Caramel
    When first dissolving the sugar over a low heat brush any sugar crystals from the sides of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush. This will help prevent your caramel crystallising.
    Have cream and butter ready to add to the sugar mixture as soon as it gets to temperature.
    Use a saucepan which will give you ample room for the caramel to bubble up when adding the cream and butter. It will bubble up quite dramatically, be very careful to not burn yourself from the steam it creates as well.
    It is essential to use a whisk to incorporate the cream when pouring it into the sugar mixture. I find it easiest to add the cream first, whisk that in, and then add the butter.
    Don't Burn Your Ganache
    To avoid burning the ganache melt the chocolate into the cream over a low heat. I tend to remove the saucepan from the heat and continue to mix. Placing it back on the heat if needed to continue melting the chocolate. Using grated chocolate, or finely chopped chocolate will also make the task easier.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 3gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 73mgPotassium: 184mgFiber: 2gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 405IUCalcium: 35mgIron: 2.9mg
    Keyword brownine recipe using chocolate and caramel, caramel brownie recipe, layered brownie recipe
    Did You Make This Recipe?I do a happy dance when people share how they went. Tag me on Instagram or Twitter @bellyrumbles & #bellyrumbles
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jett Tritton

      January 07, 2019 at 8:55 pm

      5 stars
      This is good recipe ...

      Thanks for sharing this recipe....

      Reply
    2. Karen (Back Road Journal)

      October 15, 2018 at 12:58 am

      Yum, who could not fall in love with this decadent little sweet..

      Reply
    3. chocolatesuze

      October 01, 2018 at 9:27 am

      oh awesome I've got some rice bubbles leftover that I can now use up!

      Reply
    4. Same day Agra Tour by train

      September 26, 2018 at 6:10 pm

      Wow! Such a delicious post and mouthwatering brownies you shared. Thank you so much for sharing a great information and post.
      Loved to try this!

      Reply
    5. Courtney

      September 26, 2018 at 12:26 am

      5 stars
      Gorgeous photos and delicious recipe!

      Reply
    6. Marisa Moore

      September 25, 2018 at 11:26 pm

      5 stars
      Love every single layer of these brownies - especially the crunch part! Yum!

      Reply
    7. Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites

      September 25, 2018 at 11:20 pm

      5 stars
      Everything about this recipe is so decadent - definitely a must try!

      Reply
    8. Kelly Anthony

      September 25, 2018 at 11:15 pm

      5 stars
      What a great way to add some crunch to a gooey brownie. Love the the layers of the brownie as well.

      Reply
    9. Claudia Lamascolo

      September 25, 2018 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      wow talk about decadent these are over the top fudge looking. I bet I still could eat the whole plate!

      Reply
    10. Jacqueline Debono

      September 25, 2018 at 6:50 pm

      5 stars
      These brownies look and sound to-die-for! They'd be a such a tasty teatime or party treat. Need to try this recipe!

      Reply

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    photo of Sara McCleary, Founder, Belly Rumbles culinary travel blog

    Well hello there! I’m Sara McCleary a food photographer, creative recipe developer, and avid traveller (when the World isn’t in a pandemic).

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