Spicy Caramel Frosted Chocolate Brownies

Name: Spicy Caramel Frosted Chocolate Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter; 2 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 5 whole eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional); 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup evaporated milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon Chipotle chili powder; 2 cups powdered sugar

April 30, 2014 by Tanya Schroeder · 34 Comments · Last updated: January 5, 2022

Brownies

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These spicy caramel frosted chocolate brownies are a wonderful combination of warmth and richness in every bite.

A rich cake-like chocolate brownie covered in a sweet and subtly spicy caramel frosting!

These spicy chocolate brownies are a delicious treat to serve up whenever you feel like indulging yourself on something incredible. Caramel and chocolate brownies are always in season but with a little kick of cinnamon and chipotle pepper you really get a unique combination warmth that’s great for chilly nights. Easy chocolate brownies are made from scratch and far more delicious than boxed mix with only a few added steps.

What are spicy brownies?

These chocolate brownies are decadent with rich, luscious caramel frosting. They have just a hint of cinnamon and espresso powder (to really boost that chocolate flavor). The sweet frosting has a mere hint of spice put there from the scant amount of chipotle chili powder that I mixed right in. While you certainly can leave out the spice, I highly recommend you try it! It’s not as pronounced as you might think. It just adds a little kick that you feel in the back of your throat after each bite, mild, yet persistent.

Ingredients

For the brownies

Butter
Granulated sugar
Cocoa powder
Salt
Baking powder
Whole eggs
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Espresso powder
All-purpose flour

For the frosting

Butter
Brown sugar
Evaporated milk
Vanilla
Chipotle chili powder
Powdered sugar

For the exact amounts, please see the recipe card below.

How to Make Spicy Caramel Frosted Chocolate Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease the inside of a 9×13 baking dish. Set it aside.
In a large bowl, melt your butter in the microwave.
Stir in the sugar until the mixture is nice and shiny.
Stir in your cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Combine completely.
Stir in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add in the cinnamon and espresso powder until combined.
Slowly stir in the flour, mixing until smooth and completely incorporated.
Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking dish.
Bake in the oven for 28 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean with set edges.
Allow the brownies to cool completely before frosting.

Prepare the frosting

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
Stir in the brown sugar and milk until combined.
Remove the pot from the heat.
When cool, stir in the vanilla and chili powder.
Whisk in the powdered sugar until fluffy and smooth.
Spread the frosting over your cooled brownies.

Recipe Tips

Want to make these into Mexican chocolate brownies? They’re already super close but you can make a few simple adjustments to get a nice spicy dulce de leche frosting instead of caramel flavored if you’d prefer it to be that way. Simply omit the 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of evaporated milk. Instead, use 1/4 cup of dulce de leche (from a 13.4-ounce size can) 2 tablespoons of butter, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Instead of heating the frosting you just need to beat it until creamy in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer.

If you want the frosting to be less spicy you can adjust the amount of Chipotle pepper added. Simply reduce the amount used or omit it entirely. If you can’t find Chipotle pepper then you could use cayenne pepper instead.

FAQs

How long are frosted brownies good for?

These brownies can be kept stored in a well-covered or airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days at room temperature. for slightly longer storage, you could keep them stored up to a week in the fridge.

Can I freeze frosted brownies?

Yes, after the brownies have been frosted, slice them into serving-sized squares and lay them out on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid (about an hour or two). Then wrap each piece in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, before storing them in an airtight container. You can keep them stored like this for up to 3 months. So whenever the mood strikes and you want a brownie, simply take one out of the freezer and allow them to come to room temperature for a few minutes before eating. Enjoy!

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Yield: 2 dozen