Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies

Name: Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 32 min
Ingredients: 1 chocolate cake mix; 1/2 cup butter (softened); 1 egg; 36 caramels (unwrapped); 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk; 1/4 cup peanut butter; 1 cup peanuts; 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips; 2 tablespoons peanut butter; 1/2 cup mini peanut butter cups (roughly chopped); 1/4 cup chopped peanuts

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These Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies are the best way to satisfy your sweet tooth! The three-layered brownie is stacked with chocolate, caramel, peanut butter cups, and more. This gooey dessert is an easy cake mix treat that you don’t want to miss!

Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies cut into thin slices in the baking pan

Why I Love Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies

I love layered desserts – it gives me room to combine my favorite things! Just like my No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, these Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies combine…well, it’s in the title!

The bottom layer is a yummy brownie that you can just whip up from cake mix, the second is melted caramel and peanut butter, and then finally you get to top the whole thing with a combination of peanut butter and chocolate!

Not to mention the toppings! Of course you can add your own toppings like M&Ms, or maybe some tiny marshmallows, but my favorites are the chopped up peanut butter cups. Once your brownies are complete, cut them into bars and enjoy them with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Key Three-Layer Brownie Ingredients

This is one of those magical desserts that utilizes the simplicity of cake mix! For the first layer you’ll need chocolate cake mix, butter, and an egg.

The second layer calls for about 36 caramels, sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, and peanuts.

Finally, you’ll need semi sweet chocolate chips mixed with peanut butter for the last layer, topped with peanut butter cups and more peanuts (if desired).

layered Peanut Butter and Caramel Brownies cut into slices with nut topping

How to Make Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a 13×9” baking dish with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make First Layer

Using an electric mixer, beat together the cake mix, butter, and egg. Press this mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Make Second Layer

In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the caramels and condensed milk over low heat, stirring constantly until the caramels have melted. Then, add in the peanut butter and melt together for 2 minutes. Spread the mixture over the warm brownie bottom and sprinkle with peanuts.

Step 4: Make Final Layer

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until it’s smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and then spread the chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the caramel layer. Sprinkle the top with chopped peanut butter cups and peanuts. Cool the dessert completely – I do this in the freezer – before cutting it into bars.

three peanut butter caramel brownies cut into squares and stacked on top of each other

FAQs

What’s the difference between cake and brownie mix?

Cake mix rises a little bit more than brownie mix, which makes it the perfect base for our brownie layer!

What if my caramel doesn’t melt right?

Add a splash of water to loosen it up and keep stirring!

What other toppings can I add to these brownies?

You could add whatever you want! I think tiny marshmallows and crushed graham crackers would be good! You can also sprinkle on mini M&M’s, whole semi sweet chocolate chips, any other types of nuts you enjoy, or a different type of chocolate bar chopped up. Let me know what you try!

Related Desserts To Try

Thanks so much for trying my Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies! Let me know how you enjoyed them!

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