Dulce de Leche Brownies

Thick and fudgy brownies.  These desserts are about 2-inches thick. Chewy from the magic ingredient called “dulce de leche. You can swirl a dulce de leche gooey stuff on top with a choco stick and a caramel candy.

Dulce de Leche is sweetened condensed milk that has been heated and through reaction changes taste and color.

INGREDIENTS

• 5 (1 ounce) squares, unsweetened chocolate
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Half a (14-ounce) can of dulce de leche
• Additional dulce de leche for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Generously spray with nonstick baking spray an 8-inch square baking pan.  (Or what I do is line the baking pan with parchment paper with a 1-inch overhang to be able to lift the cooled brownies out of the pan and onto the cutting board.)
3. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in about 45-second intervals, stirring each time until it is completely melted.  Set it aside to cool for 20 minutes or so.
4. Cream butter and sugar in another bowl until fluffy.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. With the mixer/beater on low, slowly drizzle in melted chocolate.  Mix until combined.
7. Add the flour and vanilla extract. Mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through.
8. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
9. Place the dulce de leche in a glass bowl.  Warm it in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. (This will help spread the caramel much easier.)
10. Drop large dollops of dulce de leche on the surface of the brownie batter.  Use a knife to slowly swirl it through the brownie batter.  Don’t drag the knife sideway through the batter, hold it so that the thin side of the knife leads the way.
11. Bake brownies for 40-50 minutes, or until the center is almost totally set.
12. Let the brownies cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
13. Squiggle more dulce de leche on top.  Cut the brownies into squares.
14. Serve with ice cream, if desired.

Enjoy!

Credits to: thepioneerwoman.com