Carol’s Cocoa Caramel Brownies

Make Brownies

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan, lining the bottom with parchment.
2. In a pot over medium-low heat, combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder and salt, stirring often until butter is melted, sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool until lukewarm, about 10 minutes.
4. Add eggs one at a time and stir with a wooden spoon until smooth and glossy. Add vanilla. Add flour and stir until combined.

Bake Brownies

1. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the brownies comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan.

Make Caramel Topping

1. In a pot, combine sugar and water. Stir, just to moisten sugar.
2. Turning burner to medium-high, allow mixture to come to a simmer without stirring until it reaches a honey color, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in cream, vanilla and salt. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then stir in pecans. When mixture has thickened but is still pourable, spread over brownies in an even layer. Let cool fully.
4. Slice into 3 columns and 7 rows and remove from pan.