Dulce De Leche Fudge Brownies

I have seen a lot of people post recipes talking about Leche in their posts and I did not understand or appreciate what they really created with their recipes.  Leche is translated as milk.  Before I share more about the recipe I should point out that this post is another joint creation from my daughter and me.  Shortly after I began this blogging journey and my daughter saw sites like Foodgawker, Tastespotting and Tasteologie, she started looking at the pics for ideas she would try.

So this idea came from Grandbaby Cakes.  There are a few different ways to create the Dulce De Leche.  By definition, this process is heating sweetened milk for an extended period which causes it to caramelize.  What you better be prepared for is that you will tend to it for quite some time.  Our approach was to cook sweetened condensed milk on the stove top.  Our process took a good 90 minutes and that is one of the shorter processes.  Be patient, it will get there.

 

Dulce De Leche Fudge Brownies

Ingredients:
For the brownies:
2 sticks unsalted butter
12 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups sugar
4 – 5  eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

For the dulce de leche filling:
2 cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.  Spray the pan with cooking spray.  Combine the butter and chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in short increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate is completed melted.  Stir in the sugar, eggs and vanilla until incorporated.  Finish by mixing in the flour and salt until just combined.

Spread about half of the brownie batter in the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven.

We should have started our Dulce De Leche first or at least at the same time as the brownies.  The directions are simple.  Pour the cans into a sauce pan and cook on medium heat stirring almost continuously.  Once the milk has caramelized take off the heat.  It is done when the sauce all but sticks to the spoon.  It gets quite thick as it continues to darken.  Spread the caramel mixture over the bottom brownie layer.

Pour the remaining brownie batter over the caramel layer.

 

Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the final brownie layer.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing and serving.  Enjoy!