Heart of Darkness Brownies! yum yum!

So I got this deliciouso brownie recipe out of one of my cookbooks that is absolutely to die for! WARNING: if you are counting calories or watching your weight (what girl isn't?) then you should stop reading this post right now. Otherwise, you're going to want to try these. And i promise, you won't regret it if you do! These brownies are the true definition of sticky, chewy, messy, and gooey! And they sooo good.

Heart of Darkness Brownies

( makes about 24-30 brownie cups)

The YUMMY ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of unsalted butter

6 ounces of unsweetened chocolate

1 cup of firmly packed light brown sugar

6 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups al purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup of coarsely chopped raw almonds or pecans, toasted.

2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

4 full size snickers candy bars, cut into small chunks

For the caramel drizzle:

6 ounces (about 25) unwrapped caramel candies

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

pinch of salt.

Spray two standard 12-cup muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray.

Melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate together in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture into a bowl and stir in the sugars, eggs, and vanilla.

Sift the flour and salt into the chocolate mixture and stir just until combined. Stir in the cooled chopped nuts, chocolate chips, and chunks of candy bars.

Fill each cupcake cup halfway with batter. Bake until the surface of the brownies has a glossy, crackled surface, about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool just enough to handle, then remove from the cupcake cups, running a knife around the edge of each brownie to loosen it from the cup. Let cool completely on the wire rack.

While the brownies are cooling, make the caramel drizzle. Combine the caramels, cream, vanilla, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth. If the caramels are not completely melted, continue heating in 30 second increments, stirring until smooth.

Drizzle the brownies with melted caramel and let cool completely for the caramel to harden. Do not chill. Serve immediately or store for up to 3 days!

So forget about those calories and splurge! treat yourself! you'll be so glad you did! :)