Bake or Break
New to BAKE or BREAK? Start Here!

Frosted Caramel-Pecan Brownies

I love brownies under the most normal, everyday circumstances. They’re often just the perfect thing for a little sweet treat. These brownies, however, are even more special than usual.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. As part of that, OXO is doing a very good thing with their Cookies for Kids’ Cancer program. OXO has partnered with food bloggers to raise money for this great cause. For every blog post about their program this month, OXO is donating $100 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!

OXO Bake a Difference | Bake or Break

Each blogger was asked to choose cookies, brownies, or cupcakes to bake. I chose brownies and soon received a set of OXO brownie-baking tools to help me make those brownies. And now that I have, I’m so happy to share them with you and help Cookies for Kids’ Cancer gain another $100.

Now, for all the brownie details. As many brownies as I’ve made over the years, very rarely have I frosted brownies. It always seemed a bit too fussy. Oh, but I have now seen the light.

Frosted Caramel-Pecan Brownies combine rich brownies with a delicious caramel frosting and a sprinkling of pecans.

These brownies are topped with a wonderful caramel frosting that goes perfectly with all of that chocolate. Then, the frosting is covered with chopped pecans. If you know me at all, you know that these are pretty much perfect as far as I’m concerned.

I offer a couple of helpful hints for making these. Work quickly with the frosting to get it spread on the brownies before it sets. Then, sprinkle the pecans on top of the frosting immediately and lightly press into the warm frosting so that they’ll stick to the frosting as it sets.

Be on the lookout this month for other posts from food bloggers for this great cause. In social media, look for #OXOGoodBrownie, #OXOGoodCookie, and #OXOGoodCupcake. You can see all the posts on OXO’s Bake a Difference Pinterest board. And, when you buy OXO products with special Cookies for Kids’ Cancer stickers, OXO will donate 25 cents per purchased special item to support pediatric cancer research.

Frosted Caramel-Pecan Brownies

Yield 24 2-inch squares
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Frosted Caramel-Pecan Brownies combine rich brownies with a delicious caramel frosting and a sprinkling of pecans.

Frosted Caramel-Pecan Brownies

Ingredients

For the brownies:

  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the frosting and topping:

  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 & 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

Instructions

To make the brownies:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 9" x 13" baking pan. Line with parchment paper or aluminum foil so that the lining overhangs . Grease lining.
  2. Place chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in microwave at half power in 30-second increments until butter has melted and chocolate melts when stirred. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Whisk together sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add chocolate/butter mixture and stir until well-blended. Stir in flour and salt.
  4. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the cener comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  5. Allow brownies to cool in pan on wire rack for 1 hour.

To make the frosting:

  1. Place brown sugar, milk, butter, and salt in a large saucepan, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Allow mixture to simmer, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
  3. Place confectioners' sugar in a large bowl. Add caramel and vanilla. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat until smooth. Immediately pour frosting over brownies and spread evenly. Sprinkle pecans over frosting and press gently into the frosting.
  4. Allow to cool for 30 minutes. Then, use the overhanging lining to lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into bars.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Southern Living and MyRecipes.

Show off your baking masterpiece!

Snap a pic, tag @bakeorbreak, and use #bakeorbreak on Instagram. Can't wait to see your creation!

I was provided with a set of brownie-baking tools by OXO. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Share this:

    14 Comments on “Frosted Caramel-Pecan Brownies”

  1. such a Lolevy treat for a wonderful cause… I never Frosted my brownies either.. i believe that they dont need it tho.. Amazing photos 🙂

  2. THESE LOOK soooooooooooooooooooooooo gooood! I love the combination of flavors!

  3. These look beyond delicious. Now, if only I had one to sink my teeth into. Yum!

  4. I am making these tonight. Can’t wait to try them. Yummy!

  5. Personally I think that the only way to make brownies better is to add caramel!

  6. oh wow I’ve never tried a frosted brownie, they sound so decadent and delicious though. And look it too!!

  7. Always looking for an easy caramel icing recipe. The Pinterest board has directed me to some new blog finds. Thanks for participating in the Bake a Difference!

  8. those are some serious brownies my dear!
    only you know how to kick up brownies to places they’ve never been before!

  9. I love how these have all the classic chocolatiness of brownies…but then they also have strudel. GENIUS.

  10. Cooking for cause bless you! These looks soooo gooey good! Love the layers!

  11. OMG… these are just brownies, they are pure genius. LOVE

  12. I would love to be able to see all the new creation!!!!!!

  13. I don’t typically put frosting on brownies, either, but you may have just changed my mind. The combo of caramel, chocolate, and pecans sounds irresistible!

  14. You got me with caramel frosting!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *