Brownies with Caramel Icing
Michelle was unhappy; Steve, somewhat stuffed. Several weekends of new recipes resulting in miserable muffin failures had wasted many cups of our precious frozen blueberries as well as other Gourmandistan goods. The first batch of blueberry muffins was too bland with an unpleasant, gummy texture. The second, tasty but too heavy. (Steve, like some sort of scavenger bird, picked the fruit out of the batter and baked remains before feeding Michelle’s castoffs to the chickens.) A third attempt abandoned blueberries for pears, ginger and walnuts, resulting in a tasty bite that still did not meet the grade for Michelle-level muffins. Michelle was getting a bit tired of unsuccessful baking, and Steve was getting a bit tired of having perfectly good berries snatched away because they arrived in things that were “meh.” The solution? More baking of sweets—but this time, something guaranteed to turn out well.
Michelle has been making these brownies since she was a teen, if not even younger. Combining a “one-pan fudge cake” from Nashville’s Junior League with caramel icing from New Orleans’ Junior League turns out a sweet, fudgy and nuttily satisfying brownie every time. Someday Michelle will find a muffin that meets her standards. Until that day, Steve will have to live with these brownies.
“NASHVILLE’S ONE-PAN FUDGE CAKE”
(adapted from Nashville Seasons)
1 stick (8 TB) butter 1 c. sugar 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate pinch salt 3/4 c. flour 1/4 t. baking powder 2 eggs 1 t. vanilla extract 1 c. pecans or walnuts, toasted and coarsely choppedMelt butter, sugar and chocolate together in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into the same pan. Add eggs, vanilla and nuts. Blend with a wooden spoon or spatula (working quickly so that eggs incorporate into batter rather than cook) and pour into a well-greased 8″ square baking pan. Bake at 325° for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
CARAMEL ICING
(adapted from The Plantation Cookbook)
8 oz. light brown sugar 1/2 c. heavy cream 1/2 stick (4 TB) butter 1 tsp. vanilla extractBoil sugar, cream and butter to soft-ball stage (238°) in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Beat until thick and cool enough to spread over brownies.
Oh no. I hate to hear of wasted blueberries. But chocolate is a great salve.
I know I’m in the minority, but I’d really rather have the berries!
Yummmmmmmm!
Thanks, Jama!
These look delicious! I love the idea of old-fashioned caramel icing on brownies!
There’s little that a good caramel icing won’t help. Thanks for stopping by!
Nashville and the Crescent City rule supreme! Buffy is on her way for a tasting!
We should’ve given you credit for this—I believe it was your idea!
Yummmm! I’d be happy to “settle” for those brownies any day!
Thanks so much, Kathy!
First time at your page and automatically became one of my faves!! These brownies caught my attention instantly!!!!
Congratulations from Chile, South America
How sweet! Thank you very much.
Love your writing. What a unique way to combine two southern women’s groups into one happy marriage of indulgence.
My husband takes credit for most of the writing, but thanks!
I would like to live with those brownies too. Love the icing! I was thinking of making a walnut cake and *may* have to steal the recipe…
“Steal” away!
Ooh gorgeous – and caranel frostign too…heaven!
Caramel Frosting….sorry, it´s been a hectic weekend
Oh, we get it! Thanks much. Caramel frosting is one of the great Southern traditions. Usually on jam cake. Yuck in my opinion. Much better on brownies (what isn’t?).
these look delecious! love the caramel topping & the brownie looks super fudgy…
When in doubt, always make something that will turn out well and indulge. They look so prettyyy
I know you will find the perfect blueberry muffin recipe but until then your brownies sound like a winner.
Thanks, y’all!
Just happened to open up this entry. Not a good idea when I wake up hungry. I want to snack on my monitor and get to these puppies. Very nice.
Thanks! And, yes, it’s dangerous to look at food porn when hungry!