Sometimes you want a plain brownie, and sometimes you want an over the top crazy decadent brownie. These Caramel Milky Way Brownies definitely fall into the decadent and delicious category. But you can use the brownie base for those days when you just want the fudge brownie alone.
A few weeks ago I made a pan of brownies before going to bed. It's totally normal for me to be putting a pan of brownies or muffins into the oven at 10 pm at night. The night owl in me bakes best then.
The pan was still too hot to cover before I went to bed, so I just left it on the stove to cool overnight. I knew that my kids have the food routine down by now, so I didn't worry that anyone would dig into them without asking. Sure enough they didn't touch the pan. 
That day I went through my baking cupboard and pulled out some Dulce de Leche and chocolate chips to finish the brownies off. By the time I picked up the kids from school, the photos were finished and the brownies were now fair game. On the way home from school, my youngest told me with big, blue eyes and a cute smile. "Mom, I saw those plain brownies you made."
You have to realize he is this crazy, alien child of mine that only wants plain brownies all the time. So, I had to break the news to him that I had indeed "ruined" the brownies while he was at school with my crazy ideas. He just shook his head and said he was going to take the toppings off his!
I really recommend leaving all the toppings ON these brownies. Of course, I recommend a glass of milk with them too. Rich and decadent are definitely adjectives that would go very well with these brownies. The Dulce de Leche adds a soft caramel layer under the chocolate nougat topping. And of course, more chocolate is added to the top for a layered brownie that looks incredible.
The chocolate nougat topping is really quite easy. Melt down some chocolate chips with a little bit of shortening to keep it thinned out. Pour it into a mixing bowl and beat it for 1 minute. Add the Cool Whip and beat it again until it is chocolatey and creamy. That's it. Chocolate nougat perfection.
Make sure you chill the brownies before cutting them. And use a very hot knife to cut through the brownies. Run the knife under hot water and dry it off in between cuts. The hot knife will cut through easier if you go slowly. Also, it keeps the filling from squeezing out all over the place. I cut these brownies into 16 squares, but you could even cut them down smaller since they are so rich.
Decadent, dreamy brownies are definitely the way to go. Unless you are an alien as well...then you might want to stop after the brownies. But seriously, who would do that?
Recipe
Caramel Milky Way Brownies Recipe
Homemade brownies with a caramel and chocolate nougat layer will impress everyone at dinner. Make sure to have a cup of milk or coffee ready, as these are rich and decadent.
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
For the Topping
- 1 - 13.4 ounce can Dulce de Leche
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips, divided
- 1 teaspoon shortening
- 1 cup Cool Whip
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- Melt the butter in a small sauce pan. Whisk in cocoa powder. Set aside.
- Beat the eggs. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat again.
- Add ¼ cup of the butter & chocolate to the egg mixture and stir quickly. Add the rest of the chocolate and stir again.
- Sift together the salt, flour, and baking powder. Slowly stir into the chocolate mixture.
- Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes. Do not over bake. Let cool completely.
- Spread the can of Dulce de Leche over the cooled brownies. Set aside.
- Place 1 cup of chocolate chips and shortening in a saucepan. Melt over low-medium heat until melted and creamy.
- Beat with a mixer for 1 minute. Spoon in the Cool Whip and beat again until no white is showing.
- Spread gently over the caramel layer. Place in the refrigerator.
- Heat the whipping cream and remaining chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir until creamy.
- Spread out over the top of the chocolate layer. Refrigerate until set. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 319Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 118mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 1gSugar: 34gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Still craving brownies? Try one (or all) of these delicious brownies!
Caramel Marshmallow M&M Brownies
Lisa
I just came across these now, 8 years later 🤦🏻♀️. You probably won’t see my question, but can you use a jar of regular caramel sauce like Mrs. Richard son’s ? It’s pretty thick so I think it may work.
Jocelyn
Hi, Lisa. This recipe actually uses dulce de leche for that center. It's much thicker than any caramel sauce. I have used Mrs. Richardson's and yes it's thick, but I think it would still soak in and run out of the brownies when cut.
Jennifer
I made these today. One word amazing! It was declared in our house they are not to be shared lol. Normally I take what's left over to work. I did bake them for 25 minutes but I think my oven is off, next time I'll pull them at 20 minutes.
Gourmet Getaways
P. Merry Christmas ?
Gourmet Getaways
Lol! I have a house full of Aliens!! They like
only the plainest desserts! Rice cream is my sons favourite dessert! I would love this brownie!! I wonder if I can handle eating a whole pan myself! I also laughed at your comment that the children no not to touch cooked goods until they've been photographed! This is so much like our house!
Thanks for a great read,
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Andy H
What's the measurement for the whipping cream? It only says 1/4. Is that 1/4 cup?
Jocelyn
I am so sorry about that. Yes, it is 1/4 cup...I just fixed the recipe. Thank you for letting me know!!!
Kerry
I just had to say that I'm making this today for the second time in a week! These are just so delicious... I made them for the adults to have a treat at my daughter's birthday party, and now they are what I think I'll make for every party I go to! Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Woo hoo! I am so glad to hear that 🙂
Kentuckylady717
Oh me oh my......these Caramel milky way brownies and the Brownie whoopie pie cookie both are amazing....don't know which one to make first.....you must have the best smelling house on your block 🙂
Elizabeth
Do these have to be refrigerated because of the cool whip or can they be left out? I understand cooling it to cut it, otherwise it will just be mushy! Are they shelf stable otherwise?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Elizabeth. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, because of the Cool Whip these need to stay refrigerated when not being consumed!
Suzanne
These sound absolutely decadent, but I will use dark Chocolate because it;s more healthy for me. lol
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Just saw these featured over at Wake up Wednesday and O.... M.... GGGeee!!! Jocelyn I think I have a new lover and its these brownies!!! Cannot wait to make these ... but its gonna have to wait until after Miami {t-minus 3.5 weeks} then I'm sitting down with a pan of these bad boys! Pinned
Luca
Why use Cool Whip when you have heavy cream? Homemade whipped cream is a million times better and is too easy to make. Just whip cold heavy cream and stir in powdered sugar or granulated sugar and optional vanilla extract (clear or regular).
Jocelyn Brubaker
There are certain things that Cool Whip actually works better for. I also happen to like Cool Whip, so I use it quite often in my desserts. Feel free to try the whipped cream if you like it better though!
Sonya
I just made these but the nougat isn't thick. Is the recipe wrong should it be one tub of cool whip ????
Jocelyn Brubaker
No, the recipe is right. It is one cup of Cool Whip whipped into the melted chocolate. It will thicken when it chills. Did you beat the melted chocolate chips for at least a minute before adding the Cool Whip? If the chocolate is too hot, it will melt the Cool Whip.
Gentle Joy
Wow! These look REALLY good...........especially since it is now lunch time and I am hungry. Those must taste amazing! Yum.. 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
I think I am beyond smitten with these brownies! The separate layers are just so gorgeous!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jocelyn! 🙂
Chels R.
Sounds like my kind of brownie!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments
These are gorgeous Jocelyn! I think I hear them calling my name....or is that you inviting me over for brownies. Either way...I'm good with it. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, that was me inviting you over!! 😉 Thanks Melanie!
Meryl
Cqn you freeze them and if not, how far ahead can they be made?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I did not try freezing them so I'm not really sure how they would hold up. I'm thinking they would be fine as long as you thaw them overnight in the refrigerator... They also should keep for quite a few days in the refrigerator if you have them covered and sealed tightly.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
I have a little guy exactly like yours!! He's always so disappointed in my cookies and brownies 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Decadent is right. This here is 3 layers of perfection. Pinning!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jennie!! 😉
Jelli
Jocelyn, these look gorgeous and so rich and perfect! You inspired my most recent dessert post and I have the feeling I'll be making these soon too. I love Milky Ways and can't get enough brownies ever, so this is just up my alley. Yummy!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Awwww, that's awesome, girl! 🙂 I will definitely check out that post! Thanks Jelli!