These German Chocolate Caramel Brownies start with a cake mix but are some of the fudgiest brownies EVER! A sweet layer of caramel is the ultimate surprise inside these delicious and easy brownies!
Life has gotten busy again (as if it ever isn’t). The boys are in swim practice five nights a week and Reece has skateboarding camp on Saturdays. Yep, skateboarding camp. Its a thing.
I’ve got two very hungry boys 24 hours a day and I swear it’s become a full time job just preparing meals for them. Bryce asks what’s for lunch an hour before lunch time, at lunch time, 10 minutes after he just ate lunch, and every half hour that follows. He just grins when I tell him he already ate lunch. And then asks for a snack.
I try to keep to mostly healthy snacks like fresh fruit and veggies and some of their favorite granola bars but every now and then I like to give them a treat. These brownies did all kinds of things for them this past week.
I used my Aunt Lana’s Chocolate Caramel Brownies recipe and made just a few minor tweaks to get the most outrageous AND easy brownies of all time.
The recipe starts with a cake mix. A German Chocolate cake mix of all things. If you’ve just had some negative thoughts, don’t. Just give them a try and then judge. I promise you’ll be a believer.
The recipe is a breeze to make, doesn’t require a mixer and has a deliciously gooey caramel center that is most definitely a sweet surprise.
Some of the tops of the brownies shows cracks with caramel peaking through and those are the ones you want to go for. That just means there was too much caramel for the mix to handle there. #winner
And then, because they can, (these boys are swimming a ridiculous amount of yards each day), we go a la mode with some more caramel sauce. And if they can, then you can. This is just how it should be done.
German Chocolate Caramel Brownies
Ingredients
- 20 KRAFT caramel squares
- 1/3 cup evaporated milk
- 15.5 oz German Chocolate cake mix 1 box
- 3/4 cup melted Challenge butter
- 1/3 cup evaporated milk
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts I used walnut
- 1 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet, milk, dark - whatever you have on hand
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Spray a 9x13 in baking dish with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine caramels and 1/3 cup evaporated milk in a microwave safe container. Heat on high heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. Set aside.
- Combine cake mix, melted butter, 1/3 cup evaporated milk, mini chocolate chips, and chopped nuts in a bowl. Stir just until combined.
- Spread half of the cake mixture onto the bottom of the baking dish and bake for 7 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle on one cup of chocolate chips. Drizzle the caramel sauce on top. (If caramel has cooled to the point that it cannot be drizzled, return to the microwave for 10 seconds and stir.)
- Spread the remaining half of the cake mixture over the top of the caramel and chocolate chips. It's okay if you don't get 100% coverage. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Serve immediately with ice cream or let cool before cutting into bars.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
For your chocolate cravings:
Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
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Joan says
I made these this 1st time almost 40 yrs ago for a cub scout camp event. They were the highlight of the evening. People at the back of the serving ling were disappointed they were gone when they got there. Just made them for a church picnic and not paying any attention mixed the caramel sauce in with the cake mix. Oh well, they look good and smell good.
Chrissy says
Thanks Paula, I was wondering where it came from. I have a charity cookbook that I’ve had for years (from employees of the long-deceased Marshall Field’s and Daytons department stores and there are no less than 5 of the exact same recipe. I made this for years and was looking for it online to pin before i got rid of the 20year old cookbook. Thanks for posting is Trish and with all the great pictures. The only thing I would say is that the ones in the book all call for 50 caramels which is, or WAS, exactly a bag of caramels. It was always a huge hit when I made it. I think I’m going to make a pan tonight–thanks again!
Monica says
Hello, I have made it as well the same way as you.but the recipe did not include mini chocolate chips. I will be making them today. A family favorite for 40 yrs! Happy Thanksgiving
Danielle says
im about to make these delicious brownies. One question, when adding the cake mix do I also need to add the eggs and oil to the mix as the box calls for or no???
Chrissy says
No, you’re just using the mix Danielle.
Paula says
i found this recipe almost 30 years ago in a newspaper and have been making for my family ever since. This is always a request for the family beach trip and I am making it tonight as we leave tomorrow for the beach!
Amber @ The Bewitched Baker says
You know, it’s funny because even though I like to make my *cakes* from scratch, the boxed cake mixes are awesome to use in brownies and cookies. The gooey caramel on top of these is just too much. Can’t you hear my tummy growling from there? Yummmmm!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Right?? I love using them too Amber! Thanks for stopping by!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
And now I want an ice cream brownie sundae! These look incredible, Trish!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! Me too Jessica 😉 Thank you!
Mir says
My kids are bottomless pits, too. I get tired off the endless meal prep and snacking sometimes…
Love the ease of this! And that caramel is just incredible.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Right?!? It’s literally ENDLESS! Thanks Mir!
Catherine says
Sinfully delicious! These brownies are irresistible. Pinning. xo, Catherine
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Catherine!
marcie says
Your boys sound like mine — all they want to do is eat and I can’t keep enough food in the house! And if German chocolate is in the title, it’s guaranteed I’m gonna love it. These brownies look incredible! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
We should hang out 😉 I swear I need a full-time cook sometimes. Then I could just make fun stuff for the blog! hehe!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Wow, these brownies are jaw-dropping 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Sue!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
My dad requests german chocolate cake every year for his birthday–this may just be his new request!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oooh! We love German chocolate cake too! My Dad alternates between that and carrot cake for his birthday 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Kristen!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
These caramel brownies are amazing, Trish. I have four boys, they’re gonna be all over this. Yup ice-cream, caramel, the whole works. (Might even have to dust off my super hero cape.) Score!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! Sounds like you’re a super hero to me Allie! Enjoy!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Girl, those do look amazing!!! And the shot of the ice cream sundae brownie…now I need brownies tonight!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Jocelyn!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
These look ridiculously good! Cake mix recipes are so good to have on hand when things get crazy, which is pretty much all the time when you’ve got kids involved in sports. Since yours are already swimming, you ought to get a water polo ball in their hands. I’m a die hard water polo mom and it really is the best sport!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I love that idea Valerie! I think they would really enjoy water polo 🙂
Krystle (Baking Beauty) says
Love the addition of caramel. The caramel and ice cream pic looks to die for!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Caramel and chocolate are made for each other 🙂 Thanks Krystle!