TURTLE BROWNIES

Elevate your dessert game with these tantalizing Turtle Brownies. A velvety brownie base made from rich cocoa and enhanced with a hint of instant coffee is topped with a luscious caramel drizzle, crunchy pecans, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Every bite delivers a perfect balance of chewy, crunchy, and creamy textures, making this treat a must-try for all brownie enthusiasts.

SERVINGS: 9 BROWNIES
PREP TIME: 15 MINS
COOK TIME: 30 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 45 MINS

Ingredients:

Brownie Mix:

10 tbsp unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp instant coffee granules
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 large eggs (cold)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (+ extra for garnish)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (+ extra for garnish)

Caramel Drizzle:

1 cup light brown sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Brownie Base:

Setup: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Use aluminum foil to line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan, ensuring it’s either greased with butter or sprayed with a non-stick agent.

Browned Butter Creation: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it takes on a caramel hue, taking 5-10 minutes. Monitor closely to prevent burning. A lighter saucepan works best to gauge color.

Mixing the Base: Pour the browned butter into a large bowl, then combine with granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, instant coffee, and baking powder. Stir and let it rest for about 5 minutes to cool slightly.
Integrating Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs and vanilla to the mixture, stirring until the batter becomes glossy.

Final Touches: Incorporate the flour without over-mixing. Finally, fold in chocolate chips and pecans.

Baking: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. The brownies are done when the top sets and a toothpick comes out clean. Once done, allow them to cool completely.

Finishing: Drizzle with the caramel sauce, and garnish with extra pecans and chocolate chips. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Serve: Slice into 9 squares and enjoy!

Caramel Drizzle:

Cooking: Combine all ingredients, excluding vanilla, in a saucepan. Cook over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens—roughly 8 minutes. If it isn’t thickening as expected, increase the heat slightly while whisking constantly.

Finishing Touches: Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and transfer to a container.

Chilling: Allow the caramel to cool and further thicken in the refrigerator.