Ooey gooey perfection! These easy cake mix caramel brownies are made with a boxed cake mix. It has a delicious caramel center and is filled with walnuts then topped with semisweet chocolate chips. It is easy to make and comes out so rich.
¼cupsemisweet chocolate chipsplus more for drizzling on top
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C, and line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl using a rubber spatula, combine the cake mix, ⅓ cup evaporated milk, the melted butter, and ¾ cup chopped walnuts. Reserve about ¼ cup of chopped walnuts to use later for the topping.
Use your spatula to divide the brownie dough in half. Press the first half into the bottom of your lined baking pan and spread it out evenly. Then place in the oven to bake for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, take the other half of the brownie dough and place it on a sheet of parchment paper. Flatten it out into a square about the size of your baking pan then set it aside for later.
Place the unwrapped caramels into a microwave-safe bowl with a fourth cup of evaporated milk. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring with a spoon in between each time, until fully melted. It should be a silky smooth consistency with no lumps.
Once the first brownie layer has finished baking, top it with the melted caramel.
Carefully place the second brownie layer on top by slowly flipping it on the caramel then peel off the parchment paper.
Sprinkle on the semisweet chocolate chips and the remaining walnuts. Then bake for an additional 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted two inches from the edge of the pan comes out mostly clean. It should not have wet streaks of chocolate.
Once it has finished baking, let it cool in the pan over a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then transfer it to the refrigerator to allow the caramel to set for at least one hour before cutting.
Once it has cooled and set, cut into squares and drizzle with melted chocolate. Serve with a glass of milk or top with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Batter: As you make the brownies, you will notice that the brownie batter is very thick. This is totally normal, so don't worry! Just make sure that you line the pan with parchment paper otherwise you might have a problem getting them out of the pan.
Texture: The brownies may look a little crumbly on top, but they hold their shape very well when picked up for a bite. They're so fudgy and moist on the inside and the caramel is gooey and rich.
Caramel: These brownies were made with Werther’s Originals Chewy Caramels. We tested the recipe using Kraft caramels, but preferred Wether's version as the caramel turned out smoother and creamier.
Cake Mix: The instructions provided in the recipe card below are specific to cake mix, not brownie mix. If you're using brownie mix, then follow the package instructions and just add the caramel layer and the walnuts.
Storing: These cake mix brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, just make sure that the brownies have cooled completely then slice them into individual pieces and freeze.