Description
Rich, fudgy brownies topped with a homemade beer caramel layer and finished with flaky sea salt. This easy 5-ingredient dessert combines malty sweetness with dark chocolate for a sophisticated treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240ml) Lager or Pilsner Beer
- 1/2 cup (113g) Unsalted Butter, cut into cubes
- 1 cup (200g) Light Brown Sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Heavy Cream, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon Flaky Sea Salt, divided
- 1 cup (170g) Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup (65g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) Granulated Sugar
- 1 large Egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- Pour beer into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce by half (about 5-6 minutes) to concentrate flavor and evaporate alcohol.
- Add butter and brown sugar to the reduced beer. Stir constantly until melted and dissolved.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream and 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Stir in flour until just combined, then fold in dark chocolate chips.
- Pour brownie batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the warm beer caramel over the top, swirling it slightly into the batter.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are set but the center is still jiggly.
- Immediately sprinkle remaining 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt over the hot brownies.
- Cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before lifting out and cutting into squares.
Notes
Do not skip reducing the beer, as it concentrates flavor and thickens the caramel. Use flaky sea salt for the topping to ensure proper texture and crunch. Cool completely before cutting to prevent messiness. For gluten-free, swap flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Oktoberfest, beer caramel, brownies, flaky sea salt, easy dessert, fudgy brownies, beer dessert, holiday baking