10ouncessemi-sweet or dark chocolateI prefer dark chocolate here to keep things from being too sweet
1cupsugar
3large eggsroom temperature
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1teaspoonchocolate extractoptional, but recommended
24mini peanut butter cups
crushed pretzels
For the Peanut Butter Frosting
½cup1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1cuppeanut butter
1 ½cupspowdered sugar
Salted Caramel Drizzle
13soft caramel candies
½teaspoonfleur de selplus extra for sprinkling
Instructions
Pretzel Crust
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until the mixture is completely coated in the butter. Pour into a parchment lined 9 x 13 inch baking pan and press down firmly.
For the Brownies
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt together. Set aside.
In a double boiler, melt together the butter and chocolate and mix until well blended. Add in the sugar and mix well. Allow the mixture to cool for 5 - 10 minutes before adding in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating the egg before adding another. Mix in the extracts.
Slowly mix in the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
Lined the pretzel base of the brownies with the mini peanut butter cups. Pour the batter over the peanut butter cups and smooth over the top. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs clinging to it.
For the Frosting
Beat the butter until is is soft and creamy. Add in the peanut butter and mix until smooth. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and continue to mix until completely smooth and creamy.
For the Caramel
Slowly heat the caramel and fleur de sel in a small saucepan until the caramel is melted. Pour in a piping bag fitted with a small, plain tip, or in a ziplock bag with the corner cut out.
Assembly
Smooth over a layer of the peanut butter frosting on the brownies. Crumble pretzels over the frosting and lightly pat down so it sticks. Drizzle the caramel over the frosting and pretzels. Top with a light sprinkling of fleur de sel.
Notes
*I tossed mini pretzels in a food processor until they were completely pulverized and resembled flour.
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