If you’ve ever craved the gooey decadence of fudgy brownies paired with rich caramel that begs to be swirled into every fudgy bite, you’re in for a real treat with these World’s Best Caramel Brownies. This is that magical recipe you whip out to impress friends, family, or honestly, just treat yourself to pure chocolate-caramel joy. Whether you’re new to baking or a brownie aficionado, you’ll adore how simple these are, how heavenly your kitchen smells, and how quickly these disappear once you set them on the table!

World’s Best Caramel Brownies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of World’s Best Caramel Brownies is that you only need a handful of pantry staples, but each one plays a starring role in the final masterpiece. Let’s talk about what you’ll need and why you absolutely cannot skip these key ingredients:

Caramel candies: The backbone of our luscious caramel layer; be sure to fully unwrap for silky melting.
Evaporated milk: Adds creaminess and richness to the caramel and the batter, ensuring every bite is extra moist.
German chocolate cake mix: The secret shortcut for perfectly chewy, flavorful brownies packed with chocolate goodness.
Butter (melted): Brings dreamy tenderness to your brownies—don’t skimp, this is where the magic happens.
Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon elevates all the chocolate and caramel flavors, giving these brownies homemade depth.
Chocolate chips: Both milk and semi-sweet work, and the little pockets of melty chocolate absolutely set these brownies apart.

How to Make World’s Best Caramel Brownies

Step 1: Prep the Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Give a 9 by 13 inch baking pan a generous coat of cooking spray so nothing sticks, and set it aside. This helps the brownies lift out in perfect, picture-ready squares.

Step 2: Melt the Caramel

Time for the star of the show! Unwrap all the caramel candies and toss them into a small saucepan with half a cup of evaporated milk. Warm gently over medium heat, stirring often, until every caramel is beautifully melted and the sauce is as smooth as silk. Take your time here—patience equals perfection.

Step 3: Make the Brownie Batter

While your caramel transforms, grab a big mixing bowl and dump in the German chocolate cake mix. Add a third of a cup of evaporated milk, then pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir it all together until the batter is creamy and thick—don’t worry if it seems dense, that’s exactly what you want for these fudgy treats!

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

Spoon roughly half of the batter into your prepared pan, and gently spread it into an even layer. Pop this into the oven for 8 minutes—just enough to set it, but not fully bake. This helps the caramel stay nestled between the layers, not sinking to the bottom.

Step 5: Add Caramel and Chocolate Chips

Pour the warm caramel sauce right over that first brownie layer, spreading it edge-to-edge for maximum gooeyness. Sprinkle a generous cup of chocolate chips evenly over the caramel while it’s still sticky—use a mix of milk and semi-sweet for best flavor payoff!

Step 6: Top With Remaining Batter and Bake

Dollop the remaining brownie batter by spoonfuls over the caramel-chocolate layer. Don’t worry about completely covering it—patches of caramel peeking through are part of the fun! Slide the pan back into the oven for about 18–20 minutes, until the brownies are set but still wonderfully soft.

Step 7: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy!

Allow the brownies to cool fully before slicing—this makes those perfect caramel ribbons and fudgy chunks stand out in every square. Once cool, cut into squares and get ready to watch them disappear!

How to Serve World’s Best Caramel Brownies

Garnishes

The best part about World’s Best Caramel Brownies is dressing them up! Try a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of extra caramel, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for that classic sweet-salty kick. For a wow-factor, add a shard of chocolate or a dollop of whipped cream right before serving.

Side Dishes

These brownies are phenomenal on their own, but if you want a little something extra, serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a splash of cold milk. For a more decadent dessert plate, pair with fresh raspberries or a tangy fruit compote to balance all the gooey richness.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeling playful, cut the brownies into fun shapes with cookie cutters or layer pieces into pretty mason jars for gift-giving. Stack cubes of brownies on a cake stand, or serve warm in a bowl topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce for a showstopping brownie sundae.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

World’s Best Caramel Brownies store beautifully at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The caramel keeps them soft and moist, so you’ll enjoy every bite—even on day three!

Freezing

If you’re planning ahead, these brownies freeze like a dream! Once they’ve cooled completely, wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready for a caramel fix.

Reheating

To bring that just-baked magic back, pop a brownie square in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The caramel gets irresistibly gooey again, and the chocolate chips melt into little pockets of bliss. Perfect with a fresh cup of coffee!

FAQs

Can I use homemade caramel sauce instead of candies?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade caramel sauce, feel free to swap it in for the caramel candies. Just make sure the consistency isn’t too thin, so you still get those dreamy, thick ribbons of caramel.

Which chocolate chips work best in World’s Best Caramel Brownies?

Both milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips are fantastic. Milk chocolate gives a sweeter, creamier bite, while semi-sweet adds deep chocolate notes. Try blending the two for a layered chocolate experience!

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

While German chocolate cake mix delivers a classic brownie taste, you can use a regular chocolate or devil’s food cake mix if that’s what you have on hand. The result will be delicious, but the flavor and texture will shift just a bit.

How do I know when the brownies are done baking?

Check for set edges and a top that looks just dry. The center should still look slightly soft—that’s the secret to fudgy caramel brownies! Err on the side of underbaking, as brownies firm up as they cool.

Can World’s Best Caramel Brownies be made gluten free?

Yes, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix for the German chocolate variety. Be sure to double-check all your ingredients, but otherwise, the process and indulgent results are exactly the same.

Final Thoughts

I can honestly say that making World’s Best Caramel Brownies is a joy every single time—the hardest part is waiting for them to cool before diving in! Whether you share them or stash a secret square for yourself, you’re about to discover why everyone raves about this caramel brownie recipe. Happy baking, and don’t be surprised if these quickly become your most-requested treat!

World’s Best Caramel Brownies Recipe

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Indulge in the decadent delight of these World’s Best Caramel Brownies, where rich caramel meets fudgy chocolate in a heavenly combination. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these brownies are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Author: Paula
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 26 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes
Yield: 24 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Caramel Sauce

14 ounces caramel candies
1/2 cup evaporated milk

Brownie Batter

15.25 ounces German chocolate cake mix
1/3 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional For Filling

1 cup chocolate chips (milk chocolate and semi-sweet)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Melt Caramels: Unwrap the caramel candies and place them in a saucepan with 1/2 cup of evaporated milk over medium heat. Stir frequently until melted and smooth.
Mix Brownie Batter: In a large bowl, combine the dry German chocolate cake mix, 1/3 cup evaporated milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.