Why settle for any old brownie when you can make these dreamy, gooey Caramel German Chocolate Brownies? Let’s be honest here… velvety chocolate brownies layered with creamy caramel and topped with chocolate chips are just downright irresistible! And the best part is, they’re SO easy to make thanks to the genius cake mix shortcut!
A BIG thank you to frugal friend Lisa at Simple Joy for sharing this delicious caramel german chocolate brownies recipe!
Bev writes: "Oh, I love these! We call them “German Chocolate Caramel Bars” here in the Midwest."
Lisa writes: “When I was about six months pregnant with our third little wonder, a good friend of mine shared this recipe with me. (Like my very pregnant self needed another method to get chocolate into my body.)
These are unbelievably good. I have made them a dozen times, and without fail whenever I make them for someone, they ask for the recipe.
I cautiously give it to them, reminding them that I call them Crack Brownies for a reason.
You start off eating just a little piece, and then you casually think you’ll just slice off a little snibit more.
Okay, maybe just a tiny bit more. I mean, why not have another piece.
Before you know it, you have eaten a whole row of the brownies! Proceed with caution people.
These were originally made for my Fourth of July party, but they got eaten before I could get any good pictures of them!
So I made them again. With no purpose. Dangerous.
I finally sent about half the pan home with a friend who stopped by. Telling her that I needed to get them out of my home before I ate the rest.”
Ingredients
You’ll just need a few simple ingredients to make the best caramel german chocolate brownies recipe!
- German Chocolate Cake Mix – A Betty Crocker mix was used for this recipe.
- Caramels – Regular baking caramels will do the trick.
- Evaporated Milk – Combined with melted caramels to create the ooey gooey caramel layer.
- Butter – Salted butter is specified, but you can opt for unsalted if you prefer.
- Vanilla Extract – For enhanced flavor.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Use Ghirardelli, Trader Joe’s, or Nestlé Toll House for best flavor.
You’ll also need a 9×13 baking dish to prepare this german chocolate caramel brownies recipe, just like I use with my Black Bean Brownies with Brownie Mix.
How to Make German Chocolate Caramel Brownies
It’s actually crazy easy to bake up these caramel brownies using cake mix.
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. You start by melting the caramels.
2. Then add the dry German chocolate cake mix, melted butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla.
3. Divide the batter in half and spread half of it into a greased 9 by 13 baking pan.
4. Then bake as directed, before removing your baking dish from the oven and adding the next layer.
5. Once the first layer is baked, add the caramel evenly.
6. Then sprinkle on the chocolate chips.
7. Finally, glob on the second half of your brownie batter.
8. Continue baking until done.
Scroll down for the printable german chocolate brownies recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
How To Store:
If you are lucky enough to have any leftovers, your surviving caramel brownies with mix can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Just like you can do with my ultra decadent scratch-made Chocolate Chip Brownies!
More Simple Sweet Desserts
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Caramel German Chocolate Brownies
Doubling Recipe Tip
If doubling or tripling recipe with buttons below, ingredient notes found after comma will not adjust. Increase ingredients as needed.
Ingredients
- 13.25 ounces Betty Crocker German Chocolate Cake Mix
- 11 ounces Caramels
- 7 tablespoons Evaporated Milk, (to melt with caramels)
- 4 tablespoons Evaporated Milk, (to add to batter)
- 10 tablespoons Salted Butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Take the plastic off all of the caramels and put them in a small saucepan with 7 tablespoons of evaporated milk over medium heat. Heat until the the caramels are completely melted and the sauce is smooth, being careful to stir frequently.
- While the caramels are melting, mix together the dry German Chocolate Cake Mix, 4 tablespoons Evaporated Milk, Melted Butter, and Vanilla in a mixing bowl. *Mix until it is a smooth consistency.
- Divide the batter in half and spread half evenly into a greased 9×13 pan. Bake for 8 minutes. (The layer will be very thin.)
- After 8 minutes pull the brownies out, and top with the caramel sauce. (spreading it very gently to make an even layer)
- Sprinkle the caramel sauce layer with chocolate chips.
- Then glob on the second half of the batter.
- Put it back in the oven for 18 minutes.
- When it comes out . . . here is where you need to be really careful. Just go ahead and admire it’s beauty. Don’t cut into it! Hand it off to someone you love. Because once you cut into it, there really is no going back. Enjoy the deliciousness, but be careful. 🙂
Notes
- *Brownie Batter Consistency: Your batter won’t have the consistency of typical brownie batter. It’s a little more like dough.
- How To Store: Your caramel brownies using cake mix can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container, and enjoyed within 3 days.
- FAQ’s: For answers to Frequently Asked Questions or tips for common substitutions and variations, please refer to the detailed information above this recipe card.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!Lisa is a stay at home mom to two little monkeys and wannabe seamstress, chef, baker, and party planner. Visit her blog Simple Joy for other adventures in chocolate, and follow along on Facebook.
I’ve made these for years, But my recipe doesn’t call for vanilla and less butter. I’m so trying this version.
They are SO delicious… ENJOY! 🙂
Can’t wait to get started on some of these brownies!! They ALL LOOK AWSOME!!!!!
I hope you love them, Verna! 🙂
Oh, I love these! We call them “German Chocolate Caramel Bars” here in the Midwest.
Oh I love that name!