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    Home / Recipes / Course / Dessert

    61 Feb 26, 2015 Dessert  |   Jump to Recipe

    Dark Chocolate Brownies with Pistachios and Easy Salted Caramel Sauce

    I’ve got a real treat for you guys today.

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Brownies with Salted Caramel

    Take a moment and just indulge in these deep, dark chocolate brownies.  The delicious mess on top features several layers of rich, salty caramel, grassy shelled pistachios, and glistening flecks of flakey sea salt.  I just love the combination of salty pistachios and bittersweet chocolate.  But if you’re not a pistachio fan, you can definitely substitute in pecans or walnuts.

    I’ve actually have another recipe on Kitchen Konfidence for salted caramel sauce.  My 2011 recipe has several additional ingredients and steps that act like training wheels to help a home cook achieve a delicious caramel sauce without worry of burning or texture issues.  My old recipe also has more butter and heavy cream, resulting in a more mellow caramel flavor.  Since then, I’ve had much practice with making caramel at home, and I can now make a perfect sauce with minimal effort and ingredients.  I’m sharing that Easy Salted Caramel Sauce recipe today too.  It’s so fast and comes together in a matter of moments!  Continue reading for the recipes.

    Brownie Ingredients

    I originally featured these brownies in my Brooksters [Brownie + Cookie] recipe.  The technique below does require a double boiler situation where you have one bowl sitting atop a saucepan of simmering water.  This allows you to melt the chocolate in the bowl using gentle steam heat, avoiding any burning.  I personally don’t mind using a double boiler, but if you’re just not into it, then I’m sure you could melt the chocolate in a microwave.  Just be careful, because the microwave can easily burn chocolate, and nobody likes burnt chocolate!

    Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Brownies with Salted Caramel

    Brownie Texture

     

    Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Brownies with Salted Caramel

    Dark Chocolate Brownies with Pistachios and Easy Salted Caramel Sauce

    by Brandon Matzek
    4.75 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 9 large brownies

    Ingredients
      

    • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes, plus more for greasing
    • 3/4 cup all purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
    • 5 oz. dark chocolate (top quality, 60 to 72 percent cacao), coarsely chopped
    • 3/4 cup white sugar
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 3 large eggs, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • Easy Salted Caramel Sauce (recipe below)
    • Scant 1/2 cup chopped shelled pistachios, pecans or walnuts would be nice here too
    • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat an oven to 350°F and place a rack in the center of the oven. Lightly butter a 9" x 9" baking dish, line with parchment, then lightly butter the parchment. Leave some parchment overhang (see photo above), so you can easily pull the brownies out of the pan.
    • Add flour, fine grain sea salt and cocoa powder to a medium bowl, whisking to combine. Set aside.
    • Bring a large pot filled with 2 inches of water to a simmer. Set a heatproof bowl on top of the pot, but make sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the simmering water. Add butter and chocolate to the bowl, stirring until melted and combined. Turn off the heat, but keep the bowl on the pot. Whisk white sugar and light brown sugar into the chocolate mixture. Remove the bowl from the pot and let cool to room temperature.
    • Add eggs to the chocolate mixture, whisking until just combined. At this point, switch from a whisk to a spatula. You want to avoid adding extra air to the batter. Add vanilla and stir until just combined. Gently fold flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until just incorporated. Do not overmix here. Pour brownie batter into the prepared baking dish.
    • Cook for 16 - 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean. The texture should be on the cakier sider, not fudgey or gooey. The toppings are gooey, so you don't want goo on goo. Transfer the baking dish to a cooling rack, and let cool for 5 minutes before topping.
    • Drizzle the surface of the brownies with salted caramel sauce, then sprinkle an even layer of chopped pistachios and sea salt. Repeat the layers once more to ensure a decadent coating. Cut into 9 even squares and enjoy!
    Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!
    Salted Caramel Sauce

    Easy Salted Caramel Sauce

    by Brandon Matzek
    Adapted from here.
    4.72 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 10 ounces

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 3 ounces 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature

    Instructions
     

    • Add sugar to a large pot over medium-high heat. As the sugar melts, stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. The sugar will liquify, and then quickly start turning brown. Once the caramel turns a deep brown, almost smoking, stir in all the butter and kosher salt. Once the butter is completely melted in, take the pan off the heat, and add the heavy cream, stirring until smooth.
    • Use the sauce immediately or store covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If the sauce has thickened after refrigeration, you can warm it in the microwave for 30 - 60 seconds to thin it out.
    Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!

    Here are some other chocolate desserts on Kitchen Konfidence:

    Chocolate Pistachio Pots de Creme

    Chocolate Pistachio Pots de Creme

    Chocolate Panna Cotta with Espresso Whipped Cream

    Chocolate Panna Cotta with Espresso Whipped Cream

    Chocolate-Dipped Potato Chip Cookies

    Chocolate Dipped Potato Chip Cookies

    Whole Wheat Skillet Cookie

    Whole Wheat Skillet Cookie

    Brooksters [Brownie + Cookie]

    Brooksters, Brownie and Cookie

    Nutella Scones

    Nutella Scones

    61
    Brandon and Federico
    Brandon

    I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!

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    Categories: Dessert Tags: butter, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, eggs, flour, heavy cream, light brown sugar, pistachios, sea salt, sugar, vanilla extract

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sheena @ Tea and Biscuits says

      February 26, 2015 at 8:05 am

      What a great flavor combination! I love pistachios and who doesn’t love salted caramel sauce, yummy!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 2:33 pm

        Thanks so much Sheena!

        Reply
    2. Shanna @ Pineapple and Coconut says

      February 26, 2015 at 8:08 am

      5 stars
      I am thinking if you had a nickel for every time I said I want to be your neighbor just to eat everything you make I bet you could retire and afford to buy me the house next door so I can be your neighbor and eat everything you make. h ha ha ha
      Also, I want these brownies. Like, NOW. I suck at having pistachios in the house for a recipe because whenever I buy them we pretty much sit down and eat them all until we have had enough salt intake for a couple years. They are SO good!!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 2:33 pm

        Hahaha, yes!!! I also enjoy snacking on pistachios.l, so I like to buy them for recipes on the same day I’m cooking them!

        Reply
    3. DessertForTwo says

      February 26, 2015 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      I wouldn’t mind one bit if you packed these up and shipped them to me. I wouldn’t be mad at all 😉

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:58 pm

        I’ll make a double batch since you’re eating for two!!

        Reply
    4. Jenny (VintageSugarcube) says

      February 26, 2015 at 9:25 am

      That pic is like those brownies are popp’n right off the screen. I swoon for pistachios and can’t believe I’ve never thought of adding them to brownies. Triple yum!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:58 pm

        Thanks Jenny :)!!

        Reply
    5. pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says

      February 26, 2015 at 11:31 am

      I love every single thing about these brownies!!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:57 pm

        Thanks Pam!

        Reply
    6. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

      February 26, 2015 at 11:54 am

      Salted caramel, pistachios, super fudgy brownies…OMG. Dangerous!! They look amazing!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:57 pm

        Thanks Averie :)!!

        Reply
    7. Jameson Fink says

      February 26, 2015 at 1:11 pm

      I’m sticking with pistachios. Not just because I like the flavor but I think that green tinge add a nice color, too.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:57 pm

        They do provide some nice color contrast. Thanks Jameson!

        Reply
    8. Mischa {Accidental Farm Wife} says

      February 26, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      Holy smokes, those look incredible! Brownies are a nostalgic favorite. And pistachios are a great addition. Plus who doesn’t love a good salted caramel sauce that looks super easy?!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:49 pm

        Thanks Mischa!!

        Reply
    9. Lyndsay says

      February 26, 2015 at 7:55 pm

      Brandon, I am so excited to try this recipe this weekend! I love your easy-to-follow instructions and the way in which you explain intimidating recipes so as to make them seem like something even the inexperienced cook (me) can handle! Thanks for the tips. Will let you know how they turn out — and will be bringing some to Lilly!

      Reply
    10. Krystle (Baking Beauty) says

      February 26, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      5 stars
      Love the sweet and salty combination of these! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:48 pm

        Thanks Krystle!

        Reply
    11. Kari says

      February 27, 2015 at 6:11 pm

      These look so good! Pistachios are my favorite and made even better with chocolate!
      Kari
      http://www.sweetteasweetie.com

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:47 pm

        Thanks so much Kari!

        Reply
    12. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says

      February 27, 2015 at 9:04 pm

      These brownies are perfect. I can imagine the flaked salt really brings out the dark chocolate flavor!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:47 pm

        Thanks Christina!

        Reply
    13. Lyndsay says

      February 28, 2015 at 6:28 am

      Followed your every instruction. Far and away the best brownies ever!!! So excited to serve them to friends and family!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:46 pm

        Hi Lynds!! So glad the brownies turned out well! I guess it’s my way to still be involved in East Coast family gatherings 😉

        Reply
    14. Lisa @ Whisk & Cleaver says

      March 2, 2015 at 1:19 pm

      I have never made caramel sauce but love it every time it’s put in front of me. Surely this dessert is part of the South Beach Diet phase 1, right?!?

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 2, 2015 at 1:31 pm

        Lisa, you should give it a try! It’s so rewarding to make something super tasty from a few simple ingredients. And yes, I would consider this “diet” food. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and pistachios are healthy fat. Am I reaching here ;)?

        Reply
    15. Abby of Baby Birds Farm says

      March 2, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      Brandon, those look insane! I think you nailed the sweet and a little salty mix.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 3, 2015 at 5:38 am

        Thanks Abby!!

        Reply
    16. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      March 3, 2015 at 7:41 am

      I can never say no to brownies with caramel sauce! This looks fabulous! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 3, 2015 at 7:55 am

        I have a hard time saying no to any brownie really :P! Thanks Anna!

        Reply
    17. The Food Hunter says

      March 3, 2015 at 7:44 am

      This is a delicious treat. I love the combo

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 3, 2015 at 7:55 am

        Thanks so much!!

        Reply
    18. Steph @ Steph in Thyme says

      March 3, 2015 at 11:26 am

      These brownies are such a dream! I’ve been struggling with caramel sauce lately and will definitely try your easy version. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 3, 2015 at 1:58 pm

        Thanks Steph! And definitely give that sauce a try.

        Reply
    19. Yvonne [Tried and Tasty] says

      March 3, 2015 at 5:38 pm

      Where’s a napkin? I just drooled on my keyboard. I wonder how fast I can make these, because I need them in my belly STAT!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 3, 2015 at 5:43 pm

        Haha thanks Yvonne!

        Reply
    20. snehal says

      March 3, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      Yum! I’m be making that caramel sauce for sure!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 3, 2015 at 7:14 pm

        Thanks Snehal!!

        Reply
    21. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

      March 4, 2015 at 11:18 pm

      Hey Brandon- New reader here! What a recipe to start with- This looks delicious and I love the combination of dark chocolate and salted caramel sauce- Yum!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 5, 2015 at 7:11 am

        Welcome Arman! So glad you like the brownies. Thanks for the kind words 🙂

        Reply
    22. sylvie says

      March 21, 2015 at 11:27 am

      I wish I had a dozen of these crazy brownies right now, instead of my vegetables soup!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        March 21, 2015 at 1:42 pm

        Me too :)!

        Reply

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    Brandon and Federico

    I'm Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Read More…


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