Knock You Naked Brownies

First off I did not name these brownies, not that it is not a accurate description, but not mine. This recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From My Frontier. They looked so good, and frankly caramel added to any dessert makes it a winner in my book, that I had to try them. A friend having a party was the perfect excuse to whip up a batch and I’m so glad I did, and you will be too!

My new, already stained cookbook!

Ingredients:

1 box (18.5 oz.) German chocolate cake mix

1/3 plus 1/2 cups evaporated milk

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter – melted

1 cup finely chopped pecans

60 caramels, unwrapped – this is 1 bag plus 10 ( really I counted!)

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup powdered sugar – to sprinkle on top

Preparation:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour a 9×9 baking pan. ( I used a silicone pan so just sprayed it and did not flour.)’

*In a bowl mix the cake mix and 1/3 cup of the evaporated milk, and the melted butter, and the pecans.(I omitted the nuts, not sure about allergies, that’s my story it had nothing to do with not liking nuts in my baked goods ) Mix together, it will be thick. Then divide the dough in half.

* Take half of the batter and press into the bottom of the pan, bake for 8-10 minutes, or until set. It took about 12 mins for mine. When done take out and set aside.

* While the first layer is baking, in a double broiler , or in my case a bowl over a simmering pan of water, place the caramels and 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Stir occasionally until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth.

* Pour the caramel over the baked brownie layer, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel.

* On a clean surface or wax paper press the remaining dough into a square slightly smaller than your pan, transfer, and place the layer on top of the caramel layer.

* Bake it for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and let the brownies cool to room temp. Then cover and place in fridge for several hours to allow them to set up! I realize this is hard, but very important so no cheating!! If I can do it you can too!

* Sprinkle with powered sugar and cut and serve. PW suggests doing it in the pan, since I used silicone I removed them in one big block from the pan and cut on my cutting board, do what ever works for you.