Salted Caramel Brownies

Step 1

NOTE: Fleur de Sel is a rare and expensive form of sea salt that is harvested in parts of France. The name fleur de sel is from the French for "flower of salt."

Step 2

Caramelize the sweetened condensed milk by immersing a closed can of sweetened condensed milk on its side in a pot of water and bring to a boil.Simmer or light boil for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, topping off with water as needed. NOTE: Be careful and don’t allow water to dry out; it can explode.Remove from heat and cool thoroughly before opening. DO NOT open the can while it's still hot. The condensed milk should be thick and nice caramel color.You can do this a day ahead.

Step 3

Combine caramelized milk, sugar, corn syrup and water in a medium saucepan.

Step 4

Heat over a medium/high heat, stirring continuously until it reaches a deep amber color about 20 minutes. It will also be pretty thick.

Step 5

Remove from heat and slowly stir in heavy cream.

Step 6

Then add Fleur de Sel.

Step 7

Whisk in sour cream.

Step 8

Set aside to cool.

Step 9

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 9 x 13-inch baking pan with Bakers Choice spray or butter. Line bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray parchment paper with Bakers Choice or lightly butter; set aside.

Step 10

In a medium bowl; whisk together flour, salt and cocoa powder; set aside.

Step 11

Place chocolate and butter in a bowl of double boiler.

Step 12

Set over simmering water, stirring occasionally until completely melted and combined.

Step 13

Turn heat off and leave the bowl over hot water; add both sugar and brown sugar. Whisk until completely combined. Remove bowl from hot water. It should be room temperature. If not, allow to cool a few minutes.

Step 14

When chocolate is at room temperature; add three eggs and whisk just until combined.

Step 15

Add the remaining two eggs and whisk just until combined.

Step 16

Add vanilla and stir until combined being careful not to overbeat the batter at this point or you will have a dry brownie.

Step 17

Gently fold dry ingredients into chocolate mixture.

Step 18

Again, do not over mix. NOTE: All this mixing is done by hand.

Step 19

Spread 1/2 of the brownie mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan.

Step 20

In a zig-zag fashion, drizzle/pour caramel over brownie mixture (this mixture is thick), taking care to not allow the caramel to touch sides of the pan as it will burn. Spread evenly over brownie mixture, again ensuring caramel does not touch pan. Drop heaping spoonfuls of remaining brownie mixture over caramel mixture.

Step 21

Spread evenly over caramel mixture to edges of pan.

Step 22

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Top will begin to look like it's drying out a little around the edges when done.

Step 23

Remove from oven. Sprinkle top of brownies with 1 1/2 tsp Fleur de Sel and 1 tsp coarse sugar.

Step 24

Allow browines to completely cool before cutting. Store wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 4 days.

Step 25

Check these places to order the Fleur de Sel: spicesage.com, iherb.com, www.williams-sonoma.com, www.amazon.com, www.igourmet.com