Junk Food Brownies
Rich and fudgy dark chocolate brownies are topped with crunchy pretzels, potato chips, and peanuts, then drenched in buttery caramel, for a sweet/salty junk food treat that satisfies every craving!
Omg you guys. Have I got a treat for you today. Are you ready to indulge?
We are talking serious indulgence here. Am I speaking your language? I'm talking chocolate. Fudgy, dense, deep dark chocolate brownies. And pretzels. What goes better with chocolate than pretzels? Perhaps peanuts? Check. Oh yeah we've got that too. And if you like that sweet/salty balance then how about some kettle cooked potato chips. Anything potato is a hands-down win in my book. Drench it all in a rich buttery caramel. This dessert's got it all.
Swoon city.
No guilt because it's football season and it's what we do. It's all about the junk food when Superbowl hits. I made these with that in mind. Calories don't count on Superbowl Sunday. Duh.
So you may as well go for it because besides being over-the-top delicious, these whip up in a snap. The brownie base is the best you'll ever try (pinky promise!) because not only is it gooey, fudgy, and deeply chocolate-y, it's also made with just a handful of pantry staples and it all happens in just one bowl. And the topping is as easy as scattering on the crunchy goodness and drizzling with warm caramel.
If you've never made caramel before I urge you to try it. It's a lot easier than you'd think, and the result is truly stellar. Trust me, this is one of the most popular recipes on my site, and for good reason!
So grab yourself a spot on the sofa and settle in with one of these babies in hand! Regardless of who you're rooting for, it's a definite win.
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Ingredients
- 1 batch Simply Perfect Brownies, (baked in a 9 by 13-inch pan)
- 3 ounces (85.05 g) thin pretzel sticks
- 3 ounces (85.05 g) kettle cooked potato chips
- ⅓ cup (48.67 g) roasted peanuts
- 1 cup (238 ml) heavy cream
- 5 tablespoons (73.93 g) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (85.25 ml) light corn syrup
- ¼ cup (62.5 ml) water
Instructions
- Bake the brownies according to the recipe directions. Do not remove from the pan. Scatter the pretzels, chips, and peanuts in an even layer over the surface.
- In a small pot, heat the cream, butter, and salt on low until the butter is melted and the salt has completely dissolved. Allow to cool slightly, then add the vanilla.
- Place the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a larger pot. Cook on medium-high heat, gently swirling the pot occasionally, until a rich amber color. Pour in the cream mixture, and whisk together as it bubbles down. Continue to cook the caramel on medium heat, until the temperature measures 245 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Immediately transfer to a heat-safe vessel.
- When the caramel has stopped bubbling, drizzle it over the pretzels, chips, and peanuts in an even layer. Cool completely, then cut into bars.
Notes
Author
Have a question about this recipe? Ask AI:
Allie, these look utterly sinful! I love the whole salty, sweet, gooey, and crunchy going on in all of this!
Thank you so much Renee! I am such a sucker for that combo!
Wow! These are so outrageous! I could eat a whole pan of these brownies!
Thanks Laura! They are so good I couldn't stop eating them. I *may* have overdone it just a little 😉
Oooaaah! Now this is looking good! I like the sweet and salty combination!
Swoon City indeed. 🙂 I love all the sweet 'n salty action going on here -- these are the perfect treats for Super Bowl!
Junk food...and brownies...in one? This is EXACTLY what my dreams are made of! Great recipe lady! Pinned!
I would seriously eat all of these in one sitting!
Totally delicious Allie! Potato chips, pretzels, peanuts!! They've got it all!
These look like something I would love, but would usually assume were really tricky to make. So I'm so happy they're really easy! That caramel recipe sure sounds like something worth mastering, too! 🙂
I've made the caramel so many times I could probably do it in my sleep. It's great! Just don't let that hot sugar scare you- it can smell fear! Thanks so much Helen- hope you're having a fun weekend 🙂
Eeeek! These brownies are EVERYTHING Allie! Love the addition of potato chips too. Pinned!
The chips were definitely my favorite part! Thanks so much Jess, and for the pin too 🙂
OMG I am dying over these brownies! they look amazing Allie!!
Thank you so much Manali! My friends and family have really been enjoying them 🙂
ALL KINDS OF YES!!!!
Haha thank you Becky!
Omg I love the looks of these- potato chips and pretzels? This is a salty-sweet chocolate lover's heaven 🙂 Pinning!
Girl you said it! Thank you so much Medha, and thanks for pinning too!
Ooof! These are AWESOME! So much good stuff going on, I've got a serious craving for these now...
I love that you said oof! That is the word to describe these haha! Thank you so much Hannah! xo
Oh my god these are perfect! Literally been craving something junk-y but couldn't figure out exactly what....now I know I want a whole pan of these!
Oh gosh yes! If you've got a craving for junk these brownies will satisfy it, lol! Thanks so much Meriem!
Ok, so I saw these on IG this morning when I was still lying in my bed and I immediately knew that I had to have them! So spectacular, Allie! Love that salty/sweet combo!
Thank you Liz! I really love it too- it's definitely my favorite kind of dessert. Fun to hear that you scroll IG from your bed every morning too!
Allie, I freaking love these!!!! esp the potato chips and pretzels!!!! Dang!!!!
The potato chips were my favorite! Thanks Alice!