Sweet and Salty Candy Bar Brownies

I've been sensing a disturbing trend, and I'm not sure I like it! Maybe its just me, but seems these days, its pretty hip for women to claim "I never cook!" or refer to their pimped out kitchen tools as simply decoration. Being involved in the food community shields me from anti-cooking attitudes as I'm {virtually} surrounded by talented chefs and passionate foodies. However in 'real' life, I've found it hard to find many women who actually admit to loving the very fine art of making food, then stuffing your face full of said food.



Alas, here I am: an island in a sea of non-cooks and dainty eaters. Prove me wrong, world! You too can cook...I promise :) In the meantime, here's some delicious sweet and salty brownies to help inspire you to get in the kitchen.

There are few things in life that I love more than the sweet and salty combo.  I mean, I'll even eat fries and dip them in soft serve ice cream.  Gross, ok.  But don't blast it until you try it...





I first spotted the recipe for these decadent brownies on Cakespy's Serious Eats posting.  Using an already delicious brownie batter recipe as the base, add roasted peanuts, salty pretzels, caramel and in my case, chopped chocolate candy bars and you have yourself quite the amazing dessert.  Cakespy uses Ghirardelli caramel chocolate, but since I have just about every type of chocolate candy except this kind, I substituted some Belgian chocolate bars with a crispy cookie filling and a little bit of caramel.  Close enough, I say.


Sweet and Salty Brownies
Adapted from Cakespy and Betty Crocker's Cooky Book 

2 squares unsweetened chocolate (2 ounces)1/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
3.5 ounce candy bar of your choice, coarsely chopped (try using Ghirardelli chocolate caramel bar, Twix, or Take 5)
20 pretzels, crushed into small pieces (i used a mortar & pestle)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
2. Whisk flour and baking powder in a small bowl
3. In a large saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat until melted; stir frequently to avoid scorching.
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly; beat in sugar and eggs.  Add in the flour and baking powder mixture, blending well.
5. Mix in the nuts and chocolate candy bar.  Add in the pretzel pieces last, mixing only until they are incorporated.
6. Spread the mixture into the pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until top has a dull crust and a slight imprint remains when touched lightly. Cool slightly and cut into squares.