Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies
User Reviews
5
Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies
Description
The "Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies" recipe starts with baking a classic cocoa and espresso-flavored brownie that incorporates semi-sweet chocolate chips for added richness. The espresso powder intensifies the chocolate notes without overpowering the base. After baking and cooling, a homemade caramel sauce is generously applied, which is made by simmering sugar and water, then mixing in warm cream and salt for a balanced sweet and salty flavor. Potato chips are layered immediately on the caramel to provide a crunchy contrast. A final touch of chocolate ganache is drizzled over the chips, finishing the dessert with a glossy, smooth topping complemented by sea salt flakes. This dessert marries contrasting textures and tastes, creating a decadent treat that highlights the interplay of sweet, salty, and bitter elements.
The baking method includes watching for edges set with a slight jiggle in the center to maintain gooeyness. The salt flakes sprinkled on top amplify the caramel and chocolate flavors. The inclusion of potato chips introduces a savory crunch that complements but also softens a bit over time in contact with caramel, so the brownies are best enjoyed fresh or with an extra chip crunch added later.
For caramel sauce, warming the cream before adding it to the sugar mixture ensures smoothness. Store-bought salted caramel sauce can substitute the caramel if preferred. The brownies can be baked in an 8x8 inch pan and cooled fully before assembling the toppings. The final assembled brownies offer layered flavors and textures ideal for those seeking a fudgy, slightly salty chocolate dessert with a unique crunch.
Ingredients
BROWNIES:
- 1/2 /2 cup butter unsalted
- 1/2 /2 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 1/4 /4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg room temperature
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 /4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1/2 /2 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet
- 2 1/2 /2 cups potato chips
- 1 cup caramel sauce see below for ingredients + recipe or use store-bought
- sea salt flakes
CARAMEL SAUCE:
- 1/2 /2 cup water
- 1 1/4 /4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon sea salt coarse
- 1 cup heavy cream
CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
- 1/2 /2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips chopped, or a dark chocolate bar
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or flavorless oil of choice
Instructions
- Brownies:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line an 8x8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe container. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until combined. Whisk in vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time. Don't over mix.
- Stir in flour, salt, and espresso powder; fold in chocolate chips. Spread evenly in the pan and bake for 25-28 minutes until edges are set and a toothpick is removed with desired "gooeyness" level (it's ok if there's a little batter on the toothpick or a slight jiggle in the middle - they'll cool to gooey brownies!). Let brownies cool completely.
- Once cooled and other components are ready, spread approximately 1 cup of cooled caramel across brownies. Top immediately with potato chips and then chocolate ganache drizzle. Sprinkle with salt flakes as desired.
- Caramel Sauce: Warm the heavy cream in a small saucepan. In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil and simmer without stirring until it turns a rich honey color, approximately 10-12 minutes. You can "swirl" the pan around so it caramelizes evenly. Cook for an additional minute or two as the color deepens. Immediately add the cream while stirring and reduce heat. Use your spoon to push down the bubbles. Stir together and remove from heat. Let cool, store in an airtight jar in the fridge.
- Chocolate Ganache: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate and oil in 15-second increments. Stir in between intervals until chocolate is completely melted (it won't take much, and when you stir it the chocolate should continue to melt, stopping and stirring will ensure it doesn't burn in the microwave).
Notes
- Adding espresso powder enhances the chocolate richness but is optional.
- Use either homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce; warm cream before combining for smooth caramel.
- Potato chips soften if left on caramel too long; best eaten same day or refreshed with more chips later.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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