Touchdown Brownies

Whenever I’m asked to bring a casual dessert to share these are my favorites. They are chock full of gooey caramel candies, rich dark chocolate chips, crunchy pretzels and toasted nuts, I prefer pecans. Halfway through baking I’ll dot with dried cranberries or cherries for an additional layer of flavor. Cut into bars, sprinkle with a dusting of confectioner’s sugar and voila, a treat that everyone will enjoy.

WARNING: These are SERIOUSLY ADDICTING!!!

Ingredients

1 Box of Good Quality Fudgy Brownie Mix (i.e. Ghirardelli)

1 Cup High Cocoa Percentage Dark Chocolate Chips

1 ½ Cups Cut Caramel Candy

2 Large Eggs

¼ Cup Water

½ Cup Vegetable Oil

¾ Cup Toasted Pecans, Walnuts, Pistachios or Macadamia Nuts

1 Cup Crushed Pretzel Sticks

1/3 Cup Dried Cranberries or Cherries

Preparation

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Empty the brownie mix into a large bowl.

Gather garnish ingredients: chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, toasted nuts and caramel pieces. Mix into the dry ingredients.

Mix the eggs into the water and add to the above. Measure oil and add. Stir with a sturdy, large spoon.

Spray an 8x8 baking pan with a non-stick baking spray. Or butter liberally.

Transfer brownie mixture into the pan and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, checking halfway through. Press dried fruit onto the top of the brownies at this point and rotate the pan to assure even baking.

Brownies are done when a toothpick comes out clean from center of brownie.