Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies

Salted caramel + salty, savory pretzels + chocolate fudge brownies = 

***All right reserved to: Gimme Some Oven***

Keep reading for the recipe! ^_^

INGREDIENTS

2 sticks of butter

2 1/4 cups of brown sugar

4 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 1/4 cups of cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups pretzels

Coarse Sea Salt

Homemade Caramel Sauce

1. Pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk into small saucepan 

2. Stir constantly for 10 to 12 minutes over medium heat. (Do not let it scorch.) 

3. The milk will begin to deepen in color and thicken. 

4. Remove from heat when the caramel will thickly adhere to the back of your mixing spoon.
(The longer you cook it, the harder it will become when it cools until it is difficult to work with. To thin it, add a small splash of milk and mix well.)

DIRECTIONS 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, or grease with cooking spray.

Prepare brownies

• Mix together the butter and sugar in a microwave safe bowl. 
• Heat in the microwave, stirring about every 30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth, let cool slightly.
• Add in the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. 
  
• Mix together the cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and flour and add to the butter mixture, mixing until smooth, don't overbeat
• Pour about 1/2 of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread until the bottom of the pan is evenly coated. 
• Then add two even layers of pretzels, covering the entire surface. 
• Carefully spoon the remaining brownie batter on top to cover the pretzels.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the brownies comes out clean. Remove and set on a cooling rack to cool.
• Pour the caramel sauce onto the top of cooled brownies in an even layer. (If it is too thick, add a dash of milk and microwave for 15 sec intervals while stirring.) 
• Sprinkle the caramel with a few pinches of sea salt.
• Serve warm, or let cool to completely then cut with serrated knife or plastic knife for best cut & enjoy! ^_^

*Alternatively, you could go the easy route:

1. buy boxed brownies (for 9x13 pan) to make the brownie layers

2. Buy 1 jar of caramel sauce.

Top cooled brownies with entire jar.

But in my opinion, homemade is always always tastes a million times better :]