Food, Recipes, Slices/Pies/Tarts

Salted Caramel Popcorn Brownies

After last year’s slightly traumatic Sweet Swap (I ruined my sweets 3 times in a row), I wasn’t sure if I’d sign up to The Sweet Swap again. But let’s be honest, the only thing I love more than making baked goods is receiving baked goods!

caramel-popcorn-brownie

I wanted to bake something decadent yet sturdy, as my caramels arrived to my matches a little melted last year. I settled on a fudgey dark chocolate brownie with a caramel popcorn base and topping, and salted caramel drizzle. Fortunately I made extras for my own tasting pleasure as these were AWESOME. And I got them right the first time! Phew!

caramel-popcorn-brownies3

Salted Caramel Popcorn Brownies

5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 24
Author: Swah

Ingredients

Caramel Popcorn

  • ½ cup of popcorn kernels
  • 3 tbsp canola oil
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup golden syrup
  • 60 g butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda

Dark Chocolate Brownies

  • 375 g soft butter
  • 375 g dark chocolate
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • cups caster sugar
  • cups plain flour
  • 1 tsp salt

Salted Caramel topping

  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

Caramel Popcorn

  • Line a baking tray with baking paper, set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan on medium high heat. Put a few popcorn kernels into the oil and cover the saucepan.
  • Once the kernels pop, add the rest of the ½ cup of popcorn kernels in an even layer.
  • Cover, remove from the heat and count 30 seconds. This method I have learnt first heats the oil to the right temperature, then waiting 30 seconds brings all of the other kernels to a near-popping temperature so that when they are put back on the heat, they all pop at about the same time.
  • Return the pan to the heat. The popcorn should begin popping soon, and all at once. Once the popping starts vigorously, gently shake the pan by moving it back and forth over the burner. Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam from the popcorn release (the popcorn will be drier and crisper). Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove the pan from the heat, remove the lid, and dump the popcorn immediately into a wide bowl.
  • Break up 3/4 of the popcorn into small bits, this will become the base of the brownie. Leave the remaining 1/4 as is in a separate bowl.
  • Now, on to the caramel. In the same saucepan, place sugar, golden syrup, butter, vanilla extract and heat on low to medium heat until sugar has dissolved.
  • Increase to medium heat (but watch it like a hawk, sugar burns easily) and cook without stirring for around 2 minutes (please note this is a reduced cooking time as it continues to cook in the oven).
  • Stir in baking soda and then add popcorn and stir furiously to coat kernels all over before the caramel starts to set.
  • Quickly press 3/4 of the broken up popcorn into a lined 33 x 25 x 5.5 cm pan.
  • Spread the remaining 1/4 out onto the lined baking tray and allow to cool and set.

Brownies

  • Preheat oven to 180°C.
  • Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave in short bursts on medium.
  • In a bowl beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla.
  • Sift the flour into another bowl and add the salt.
  • Let the chocolate mixture cool a bit before beating in the egg and sugar mixture, and then the flour.
  • Pour over popcorn base and bake for 30-40 minutes (but can often take longer).
  • When it’s ready the top should be dried to a pale brown but the middle still dark and gooey.

Salted Caramel topping

  • Once the brownies are cool, slice into even squares. Top each square with a few pieces of the remaining caramel popcorn.
  • Put the brown sugar and butter in a small pan and heat on medium for 5 minutes, then drizzle over the top of each brownie.
  • Enjoy!

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These were bundled up in little polka dot boxes and sent to:

Sandra from The $120 Food Challenge

Alex from Eating Adelaide

Lauren from Create Bake Make

I hope they all enjoyed them!

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And what did I receive? First up was Wonka Fudge from Bryton of Bryton Taylor!. It unfortunately melted enroute but after a quick visit to the freezer they were good to go.

wonka-fudge

3 types of chocolate bark from Shari of Good Food Week! There was Christmas Inspired (white chocolate, cranberries, shortbread and pistachios) A Night at the Movies (milk chocolate, popcorn, marshmallows and pretzels) and Mummy’s Healthy Treat (dark chocolate, dried fruit and pecans)!

choc-bark

And last but certainly not least were the Raw Vegan Bounty Bars from Cassie at Food My Friend. Raw and vegan aren’t 2 words I usually associate with dessert but these were absolutely delicious!

raw-vegan-snickers

love_swah_sig

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24 Comments

  • Reply Simon @ the heart of food September 8, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    Oh wow. Your brownies look crazy good. Going to have to give these a go sometime. Thanks for the recipe :)

    • Reply Swah September 9, 2014 at 10:20 am

      You are very welcome Simon! :)

  • Reply The Hungry Mum September 8, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    Am swooning over these. Popcorn was obvs the flavour de jour: I used it AND received it in one of my matches #PopcornLove

    • Reply Swah September 9, 2014 at 10:20 am

      I am so obsessed with popcorn in desserts at the moment, it is indeed the flavour de jour!

  • Reply Kate @ foodies agenda September 8, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    These look incredible!

    • Reply Swah September 10, 2014 at 11:43 am

      Thanks Kate! :)

  • Reply Cassie | Journey from Within September 8, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    oh my!! your brownies!!
    I am totally going to steal this and TRY to make it look (and hopefully it’ll taste) the same as yours … i’d be lucky for a 1/4 chance!!

    • Reply Swah September 10, 2014 at 11:43 am

      Good luck Cassie, I am sure they will be incredible!

  • Reply Caramel and Hazelnut Fudge September 9, 2014 at 4:01 am

    […] Love Swah for these amazing Salted Caramel Popcorn Brownies […]

  • Reply Lucy @ Bake Play Smile September 9, 2014 at 8:56 am

    Oh wow! This is definitely my idea of heaven! Totally bookmarking this recipe :-)

    • Reply Swah September 10, 2014 at 11:44 am

      I think I need to bake this again and again and again :)

  • Reply milkteaxx September 9, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    o my these look decadent! i could do with a few squares right now!

    • Reply Swah September 10, 2014 at 11:44 am

      They are so incredibly decadent, but totally worth the calories ;)

  • Reply Amanda@ChewTown September 10, 2014 at 8:19 am

    Those brownies look insane! As a lover of popcorn I give this a big thumbs up – and am slightly jealous at those who received them. Thanks for participating this year!

    • Reply Swah September 10, 2014 at 11:44 am

      You’re welcome Amanda, it’s always great fun!

  • Reply Sandra September 10, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    I’m not saying these brownies were over the top or anything, but after eating one, my eyel;ids were fluttering. After two I felt closer to God.

    My GOD Swah. You should be getting marriage proposals for this.

    • Reply Swah September 11, 2014 at 9:42 am

      What a fantastic compliment Sandra haha thank you so much!!

  • Reply Helen | Grab Your Fork September 11, 2014 at 12:08 am

    Whoah baby, those brownies look incredi-ma-ble!

    • Reply Swah September 29, 2014 at 6:53 am

      They are oh so decadent Helen!!

  • Reply Annie @ The Random Foodie September 11, 2014 at 11:13 pm

    love brownies! so indulgent *drools*

    • Reply Swah September 29, 2014 at 6:53 am

      Me too! My fav!

  • Reply Cakespy January 19, 2016 at 12:03 am

    These are amazing, and perfect for National Popcorn Day tomorrow!

    • Reply Swah January 21, 2016 at 11:20 am

      Glad you enjoyed them! And good to know a National Popcorn Day exists ;)

  • Reply Bee March 23, 2019 at 1:49 am

    YUM! These brownies look so decadent and absolutely delicious! Love the idea of combining chocolate with salted caramel popcorn!

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