Chocolate Caramel Turtle Brownies

Ingredients

• Brownies:
• 1 c butter, melted
• 2 c sugar
• 3/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs
• 2 t vanilla
• 1 c flour
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/4 c pecans, roughly chopped
• 3/4 c Caramel sauce
• 1/4 c mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Chocolate Frosting:
• 6 T butter, softened
• 1/4 c + 2 T cocoa powder
• 2 T corn syrup
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 1/2 c powdered sugar
• 2-3 T milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
2. Make the brownies: add butter, sugar and cocoa powder to mixer and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
3. Add eggs to the batter one at a time, beating after each addition just until incorporated.
4. Beat in vanilla.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon then beat into batter just until combined.
6. Pour batter evenly into pan.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
8. Let pan cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes then poke holes all over with the back of a wooden spoon.
9. Pour 1/2 c caramel over brownies and spread into holes with a spatula.
10. Refrigerate brownies for one hour or freeze for 30 minutes to let the caramel set.
11. Prepare the frosting: Beat butter, cocoa, corn syrup and vanilla in small bowl until blended.
12. Add powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk and beat until smooth.
13. Once caramel has set, frost the brownies with the chocolate frosting.
14. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 c pecans, 1/4 c mini chocolate chips and drizzle 1/4 c caramel.
15. You can serve immediately or refrigerate to allow frosting to set.
16. Recipe: The Recipe Critic: Poke Turtle Brownies