You heard it here a few years ago. It’s been featured in numerous blogs, on t.v. and made thousands smile. An impossibly thin shortbread crust, a slab of salted caramel and one outstanding brownie (thank you, Alice Medrich). The only way to make this better is to sprinkle nuts over the caramel after it sets.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
1-1/2sticksButter170g
1-1/2cupsFlour190g
1/2cupPowdered Sugar60g
Caramel
1/2cupHeavy cream100g, warmed up slightly
1cupSugar200g
1TbspWater14g
1tspLemon juice4g
2ouncesButter60g
1large pinchSea salt
Brownies
1-1/4sticksButter140g
1-1/4cupsSugar225g
3/4cupCocoa powder60g
2Eggs
1/2tspSalt2g
1/2cupFlour65g
Instructions
Shortbread Crust
Cream the butter, sugar and flour until the dough just starts to form a ball.
Line a 10x10" square pan with parchment paper. We like to cut two pieces and cross them so that there's a bit of an overhang; this will make getting the brownies out of the pan much easier.
Press the crust into the bottom of the pan- starting with the corners and making sure everything is covered. It is very thin! Bake at 350 until golden all over. Set aside.
Caramel
In a saucepot, heat the sugar, water and lemon juice on medium heat until they reach a golden caramel color. You may want to tilt the pot from time to time, but do not stir with any instrument.
Once you have reached the golden caramel stage, slowly (and carefully) add in the cream. Turn the heat back on to medium-low, and stir in the salt.
Cook over this heat, stirring, for about one minute. The caramel will thicken a bit. Turn off heat and stir in the butter.
Pour caramel over baked crust (you will have a little extra caramel for your ice cream. Or spoon). Let these sit while you make your brownie batter.
Brownies
Melt the butter in a pan. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and cocoa powder.
Pour into a medium sized bowl and whisk in the eggs, vanilla (1 tsp, if desired), and salt.
Fold in the flour. Pour over the caramel and bake for 325 for about 17 minutes, or until just set in the center. Cool for one hour before cutting.