Oero Caramel Brownies - Dos and Don'ts!

For Valentine's Day, since we were spending it at home, I wanted to make Jeff and gooey, luscious dessert. Well, I tried at least!!

deliciousness

I found the recipe for Oero Caramel Brownie Bombs and knew I had to make it! Not only did it sound so rich and gooey, but I had brownie mix and caramels that I needed to use up, not to mention my current obsession: Who Nu cookies. (Note that in the original recipe, the cookie dough, brownie batter and caramel are all homemade.)

However, things didn't go as planned. The original recipe said to put the bottom layer of cookie dough in a 9x13 pan, but there was no way it would cover the bottom of that large of a pan. But... I had already planned to use brownie mix for a 9x13 so I just did so... stupidly. That made the brownie batter too thick so I had to bake it twice as long and thus the cookie layer got overbaked. Still edible, just really baked. The Whonu cookies got lost in all the batter. Oh, and my caramels melted but once cooled became hard and sticky. With each bite I felt like the fillings in my teeth would come out.

This would be the life on LB the baker!!

all ready to go!

BUT. It was still really, really good!!! with the adjustments below, I would make it again.
To recap: If you are a "do it all homemade" person, follow the link above to the original recipe at Rock Recipes. If you like a few shortcuts, try my redone recipe below.

after the bottom layer, the goodness begins

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 7x11 inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper and again lightly grease the parchment.

Prepare the cookies and caramels beforehand, as you need to work quickly once the cookie layer comes out of the oven. You can make the brownie batter as the cookie layer is baking.

 

Chocolate Chip Base 

 

Cream until light and fluffy:

½ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Add
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Beat well.

Sift together
1 cup + 3 tbsp flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda

Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, folding to combine well. Fold in

½ cup chocolate chips

Spread in the prepared baking pan and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. (325 degrees for glass bake ware) Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with

18 Oreo or chocolate sandwich cookies, broken into quarters

2 dozen soft caramel candies, cut into quarters or two dozen teaspoons homemade soft caramel  

 

one box brownie mix, prepared as directed

Pour batter over the Oreos and caramel, return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the surface of the brownie batter is no longer glossy (may take up to 45 minutes). Cool completely.

Top with a drizzle of chocolate ganache if desired. Cut in 2 inch squares.

(I thought they would be rich enough with the ganache, but here is the recipe if you so desire)

 

Chocolate Ganache

In the microwave, scald 1/3 cup whipping cream, almost to boiling. Pour over 1 &1/3 cups chocolate chips. Let stand for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Spoon the ganache into a Ziploc bag and using sharp scissors, snip a small corner of the bag off and pipe a thin stream of the ganache in a continuous circular pattern over the squares.

the cookie layer is so overdone you can't even tell it is there!