Dulce de Leche Brownies

It was Kevin’s sister, Cindy’s birthday yesterday and her daughter told me she likes all things caramel.  I made her a few treats that showcase caramel.   I made David Lebovitz' Dulce de Leche Brownies.  These caramel swirled brownies are all you can imagine they would be since they are David’s creation and since their super rich fudgy texture is practically swimming in dulce de leche.

Dulce de Leche Brownies (Caramel Swirled Brownies), by Katrina, Baking and Boys!, adapted from David Lebovitz

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

6 ounces good chocolate, chopped (I used a 60% cacao chocolate)

1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

3 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Oops, I forgot it!)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus a little more for sprinkling the finished brownies

1 cup all purpose flour (140 grams or 4  7/8 ounces—per DL—I measured out 140 grams)

1 cup Dulce de Leche (Nestle canned Cajeta)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line an 8x8 inch square pan with non-stick foil with enough foil to hang over the edges.  Spray with cooking spray.  Set aside.

Melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat.  Once melted, add the chocolate and whisk until fully melted and incorporated.  Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth.  Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the sugar, vanilla, flour and salt.

Add half the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly.  Drop half the Dulce de Leche, evenly spaced, over the brownie batter, then swirl it with a knife.  Spread** the remaining batter over the caramel layer (**or as I do, put the rest of the batter in a plastic zip top bag, snip off about 1/2 inch in one corner and pipe it evenly over the caramel until it’s all used.  Drop the remaining Dulce de Leche in spoonfuls over the top and swirl it in the batter with a knife. 

Bake for 35-45 minutes (mine took 35 minutes).   A toothpick inserted in the center will come out almost clean.  Sprinkle the brownies with some sea salt, if desired.  Cool completely on a wire rack.  Chill the brownies for a few hours.  Cut into bars.

These are quite the ultimate brownie!