Thursday, April 16, 2009

California brittle brownies

I got a box of california brittles in the mail from See's Candies and decided some brownies were in order.

My favorite brownie recipe is from Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook, so I started there. This is a very fudgy brownie recipe, comes together quite easily, and only uses one bowl! I spread half of the batter into a square baking pan and added a generous layer of chopped california brittles. I spread the second half of the batter over the top, and placed the whole thing in the oven.

I loved the end result - the california brittles partially melted into the dough, so these don't have a strong toffee flavor. Instead, every bite is a little bit different - sometimes you get a chunk of almond, other times you get a piece of milk chocolate. These brownies have a crackly top, which adds great texture but can be difficult to cut neatly. I chill the brownies thoroughly before cutting, which takes care of the problem.

California brittle brownies
Makes 16

1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup almond toffee such as See's california brittles, coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 inch square baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Set aside. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Remove the bowl from the heat and set aside. Let the chocolate cool for about 7-10 minutes.

Stir the sugar into the cooled chocolate until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. Add the vanilla, and fold in the flour and salt.

Pour half the batter into the pan, spread in an even layer. Sprinkle the toffee over the batter. Add the second half of the batter to the pan, spread in an even layer over the toffee.

Place in oven and bake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs attached, 45-50 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack - after 10 minutes, run a knife around the edges of the pan, then cool completely, transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours.

Using the parchment overhang, lift the brownies out of the pan and onto the rack. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into squares.

68 comments:

Leslie M. said...

OMG, these look so darned good!!! YOU are AMAZING!

My kitchen is closed the dishwasher is ON and I am NOT going in there again! I promise!
Leslie
LeslieVeg@msn.com
http://leslielovesveggies.blogspot.com/

Reeni said...

What a scrumptious idea! Really fudgy brownies are the best - the brittle just puts them over the top for me!

Dewi said...

Wow Sara, you brownies look amazing, so moist and what an idea using that candies for brownies.
Cheers,
elra

Heather S-G said...

oh man...a combo of 2 of my favorite sweet things...you are bad! Delish!

Unknown said...

What a yummy idea! They look scrumptiously delicious!!

Heather said...

ohhh. those sound so delicious :)

Sarah said...

Yum, yum, yum! These look fantastic and decadent!

Jennifer said...

Good gravy Sarah those look amazing!

Barbara Bakes said...

I know I'm always going to find a great recipe when I visit your blog, but this one looks over-to-top!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

MMMMMnnn! I just love See's candy.

unconfidentialcook said...

Thank you so much...it's so hard to find a really good brownie recipe. These look delish, and we'll try 'em this weekend.

Juliana said...

My husband will love this since every time we are at See's he gets the California brittle...and he loves brownies...such a combination!Thanks!

Sara said...

I love toffee and this sounds like the only way to improve it...

Selba said...

That brownies sounds so delicious!

Irene said...

Oooh these look so good! fudgy, delicious... I can almost taste them! What an great idea to include the brittle inside.

Jamie said...

Sara, these brownies actually look fabulous! I mean, so many brownies do, but aren't we all looking for the perfect brownie: crispy top, gooey insides all the way through? I must try these! Yummy! And it is a great idea to chop up brittles and layer them in. And thanks for the tip about chilling brownies before cutting; never would have thought about it!

ps I added your great blog to my favorites blog roll, as of course it is!

Donna-FFW said...

Delicious idea with the candies..Ive never tried MS version of brownies, now I am curious to try them.. is that your fav version

lubnakarim06 said...

Wow enjoy.....

Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said...

Oh wow wow and wow! These look so luscious, you can tell how gooey and good they are from the pics!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I love a good brownie and yours sounds yummy. I've never thought of using candies for brownies - an excellent choice.
In the islands our favorite restaurant, Wallys, fixed for a birthday cake a brownie topped with a big scoop of ice cream and some chocolate sauce, added a couple of candles and served it with a lot of spoons so it could be passed around.
Sam

Cassie said...

Wow. YUM.

priscilla joy said...

Wow! These look beyond good! Delicious!

lisaiscooking said...

Now, that looks like a great combination! I would have a hard time not eating all the candies before getting them into the brownie pan, but the finished brownies sound incredible.

Unknown said...

Yum! I love brownies, but I've never tried Martha's recipe. I'll have to check it out! Can't beat one bowl baking :)

Cathy said...

Ah man...you just made me wish I was eating brownies instead of granola and yogurt for breakfast!

Maria said...

I am loving your brownies! They look so good!

Anonymous said...

Amazing brownies! Great idea to add the brittle!

NKP said...

These brittles were my favourite of the See's Candies. Great idea to make brownies out of them!

Steph said...

I love brownies with a crackly top!!! There are so many brownie recipes out there I never know which to try.

Erica said...

Ow Sara- these would make such an incredible gift for someone! Just beautiful work :) Happy Friday

Ana Powell said...

Hi Sarah
Great brownies
Have a lovely weekend x

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

I've never had brittle brownies, but I can imagine that they taste heavenly! I love fudgy brownies and yours are perfect!

Cheers,

Rosa

teresa said...

GREAT idea, I could go for some of those right now! I love a chocolatey brownie!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

OMG this looks insane. What a great brownie.

Judy said...

This recipe reminds me of the York Peppermint Pattie brownie recipe, where you do the same thing, except instead of California brittle, you use the York Peppermint Patties, unwrapped. Whether it's toffee brittle or peppermint patties, it's a great idea and makes for a great brownie.

The Duo Dishes said...

Well of course! Take something good and make it even better. That brittle'd probably be good in cookies too...

Monica H said...

Never had California brittles, but I love toffee and brownies. These look great! What a treat.

Mrs. L said...

Yum, I love California Brittles but would have never thought to put them in a brownie. Can't wait to try this.

Pam said...

They look absolutely delicious. I love See's candy.

noble pig said...

These look delightful.

Diana said...

Ohhh I love when brownies have the cracked top! And of course, the addition of See's Candies appeals to me too.... yummmmmm.

Claudia said...

See's candies in brownies. I am in heaven. They look delicious - want to grab it off the screen.

Anonymous said...

Brittle Brownies, that is stepping it up a few notches eh? Woo hoo... they do look moist and amazing.

Lyndas recipe box said...

Nothings better than really fudgy brownies and these look like the best! Wish I had them now!

Jan said...

I don't eat many sweet things but I'm sure I would have scoffed down those California brittles before I could do anything with them. :-) That said, who can resist a delicious brownie? Not me. These look absolutely yummilicious.

Pearl said...

what a great idea for the california brittle!

Deeba PAB said...

Best brownies I've seen in ages Sara...WOW!

Kana said...

So very decadent!

LK- Healthy Delicious said...

omg omg omg. I need these!!

Netts Nook said...

Wow I can taste the chocolate. Thanks for sharing the recipe. You always go over the top.

grace said...

great use for the brittle! it's hard to improve upon rich, dense brownies, but you've done it. and thanks for tip about cutting!

tuki said...

I love your blog! Thankyou!!

gastroanthropologist said...

If its not fudgy I don't consider it a brownie! These look fabulous and LOVE the addition of the california brittle.

Lori said...

I have been thinking about brownies a lot lately. Well, since Thursday when on Survivor, they had these humungous brownies. So drool worthy.

Shari said...

These sound amazing! I love both fudgey and cakey brownies. I'm not picky when it comes to brownies!

Lo said...

Brittle... in brownies! Brilliant. Seriously, Sara -- these have me drooling. Great idea!

Think there's a way to get the brittle to stay crisp?

portugueseflavours said...

uau! This brownies are fantastic.And the way you present them is great.
Cheers,

Tammy said...

Both the candies AND the brownies look amazing! I don't see how these could be anything but delicious.
Pretty pictures!

Dragon said...

These sound like heaven!

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

Oh boy! That sounds like heaven!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

YUm those sound delish....great idea adding the brittle. I bet those would taste yummy under some vanilla ice cream.
~ingrid

Elyse said...

These brownies sound totally delicious, Sara. I mean, just amazing. I'm a fudgy brownie girl myself, so it's always super exciting to find another fudgy brownie recipe. Plus, your additions to this recipe are just stellar. I love the idea of an unexpected crunch!

Kerstin said...

Oh, they sound SO good Sara! What a great idea!

Carolyn Jung said...

My See's candy never lasts long enough in the house to bake with. But I might just have to hoard some next time to try making these fab brownies.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Who needs neatly cut brownies??? The crackly top and the brittle make these look like brownie perfection. I've not made Martha's recipe; I loved the one from Baked.
Nancy

leslie said...

good grief these sound amazing!!!

Chef E said...

Yikes, I just hit a road block on this one...I need to make brownies, and I am serious. Fudgy brittle goodness...

Dazy said...

Delicious looking and delicious tasting and quite simple to make! I've tried this with other variations. This is pure delight and I'm sure to make them again.