Caramel Crunch Brownies

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4.9 from 7 votes
12 Comments

These Caramel Crunch Brownies start with a deliciously rich brownie layer and are topped with a chewy layer of caramel coated cornflakes.

Caramel Crunch Brownies - hand holding bar

The toffee coated cornflake layer is chewy, crunchy, and satisfyingly sweet. It’s tasty and so easy to make! The brownie layer is rich, fudgy and so chocolatey! It all comes together to make a deliciously easy dessert bar that is so easy to throw together which makes them the perfect for dessert emergencies or bake sales!

Caramel Crunch Brownies - side by side

If you’re looking for more delicious brownie recipes check out my Fudgy Homemade Brownies, Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Pie Recipe or my Chocolate Chip Blondies for a vanilla option that is just as fudgy!

The things I love about these brownie bars!

  • Easy to make – there’s two recipes in this dessert bar. An easy brownie layer, and a no-bake caramel crunch layer.
  • Chewy, rich and crunchy! – the cornflake caramel layer is so delicious! The brownie layer is rich and chewy.
  • Perfect for bake sales – these will sell better than hotcakes!
  • Kids and adults will love them! The flavors are basic but so delicious. I gave Zoe a little piece and she would not leave the kitchen unless I have her more.
  • Not too tall so they’re easy to eat! I think moving forward, this will be a focus for future bar recipes!
Caramel Crunch Brownies - top down shot

Let’s Talk Toffee

There are 3 things I learned about making toffee that I want to share with you. If you’ve never made a dry toffee before (no water), it’s actually super easy to make and it tastes delicious! In this recipe it’s what binds everything in the cornflake layer and helps it set.

  • It can burn easily – don’t take your eyes off the toffee when making it. Cook on a medium low heat. Take your time. As soon as the sugar is melted take it off the heat and move to the next step immediately.
  • Stir very gently and slowly – a rigorous stir can cause sugar crystals to stick to the sides of your pot and they will burn or can cause your toffee to crystalize (turn into a big, solid sugar crystal).
  • Cook on a low, slow heat – there’s no speeding up this part of the recipe. It will take about 10 minutes to make the toffee. A low and slow heat will give the sugar time to melt and brown gently without burning.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - stacked on a plate with hand holding a bar

Ingredients You Need To Make Caramel Crunch Brownies

Note: the whole recipe, including the ingredient quantities, can be found at the bottom of this page – just scroll down to the bottom, or click the ‘Jump to Recipe’ button at the top of this post.

Jump to Recipe

Brownie Layer

Caramel Crunch Brownies - ingredients image 01
  • Brown sugar – I used regular brown sugar. You can use light. I would not recommend using dark brown sugar.
  • Caster sugar – also known as superfine sugar is what I used but you can use granulated sugar as a substitute.
  • Butter – I used salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter if you like.
  • Dark chocolate – for this recipe, it’s important to use a good quality cooking chocolate. Cooking chocolate is specifically designed for baking and can be found in the baking isle of your supermarket.
  • Eggs – I used large eggs. Make sure they’re at room temperature! Don’t skip the egg yolk either because it helps make the brownie chewier!
  • Flour – I used all-purpose flour.
  • Cocoa powder – I used Dutch process cocoa powder, but natural will work too.
  • Vanilla extract – much to my surprise you can taste the vanilla in the brownie layer which makes it even richer!
Caramel Crunch Brownies - ingredients image 02

Cornflake Layer

  • Sugar – I used granulated sugar. See my notes above for my notes on making the toffee layer.
  • Heavy cream – make sure your heavy cream (cream used for whipping) is hot before adding to the melted sugar otherwise it will splatter and overboil!
  • Butter – I used salted butter.
  • Vanilla ExtractAlways use good quality vanilla extract when baking, it makes a huge difference. I have a great recipe here for it if you’d like to try your own!
  • Cornflakes – I used kellogs cornflakes. Anything similar will work.

How to make Caramel Crunch Brownies!

Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 1 and 2
  1. Add the brown sugar, sugar, butter and chocolate to a heatproof bowl.
  2. Microwave and stir until smooth and melted.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 3 and 4
  1. Add the eggs and stir.
  2. Add the remaining dry ingredients into a bowl and mix to combine.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 5 and 6
  1. Add to wet ingredients.
  2. Stir.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 7 and 8
  1. Line 9×13 inch baking tin with baking paper.
  2. Dd batter and smoothen out.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 9
  1. Bake and allow to cool.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 10
  1. Add sugar to a saucepan and gently stir until melted and golden.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 11 and 12
  1. Add cream and stir.
  2. Add butter and stir.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 13 and 14
  1. Toffee will be smooth.
  2. Add cornflakes.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 15 and 16
  1. Stir until coated.
  2. Add to baked brownies.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - step 17 and 18
  1. Flatten out and allow to set for a couple hours.
  2. Once set, cut into bars.
Caramel Crunch Brownies - front on shot

Tips and Tricks For Recipe Success!

  • Don’t skip the egg yolk! The egg yolk helps make these brownies richer and chewy. It’s a remarkable thing and works with cookie recipes too!
  • Store these in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They get chewier everyday!
  • Bake the brownie layer up to a day in advance.
  • When making the toffee, don’t take your eyes off it! It will burn easily. As soon as the sugar is melted and looks golden, take it off the heat and go to the next step.
  • Chill time is important when setting the cornflake layer to make it easier to slice up.

Frequently Asked Questions about Caramel Crunch Brownies

What does it taste like?

The toffee layer is delicious and crunchy. The brownie layer is chewy and so chocolatey! These dessert bars are the best of both worlds, not too tall and so easy to make!

How do I store this?

Store these in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They get chewier with each passing day!

Can I halve this recipe?

Yes! Simply halve the ingredients and use a square 8 x 8-inch cake tin. The toffee will not take as long to make. Just follow the same instructions and take off the heat when the sugar is melted and toffee is golden.

Can I use this recipe to just make brownies?

Yep! This brownie layer is my Chewy Chocolate Brownie Recipe minus the walnuts (a must in my opinion)! Grab the recipe here!

Gave this a go? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok for more great recipes!

If you loved this recipe, check these out!

Caramel Crunch Brownies - thumbnail

Chewy Caramel Crunch Brownies

These Caramel Crunch Brownies are rich, fudgy brownies topped with a thick caramel layer packed with crunchy Cornflakes. The perfect balance of chewy, crispy, and indulgent!

Serves 20

4.9 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Cool: 1 hour
Total: 3 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 332kcal

Ingredients

Brownie Layer

  • 100 g brown sugar
  • 105 g caster sugar, superfine
  • 100 g salted butter
  • 160 g dark cooking chocolate, chopped (see notes)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature (55g each)
  • 1 egg yolk, see notes
  • 115 g all-purpose flour, plain flour
  • 25 g cocoa powder, sifted
  • 7 g vanilla extract

Cornflake Layer

  • 315 g granulated sugar
  • 250 g heavy cream, hot
  • 125 g salted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 200 g cornflakes


Instructions

Fudgy Brownie Layer

  • Preheat your oven to 170C / 350F (190C / 375F for no fan). Spray a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13-inch baking tin with oil spray and line the bottom and sides with baking paper leaving some overhang to make getting the slice out easier. I use bulldog clips to help keep the paper down as the brownies bake.
  • Heat sugar and butter – Add the brown sugar, white sugar, salted butter and chopped chocolate to a heatproof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Use a whisk to stir each time until melted and smooth.
  • Whisk in eggs – Add the eggs and egg yolk and whisk until combined before adding the flour, cocoa powder and vanilla extract and mix.
  • Bake – Pour into your prepared baking tin. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes. Allow to cool down to room temperature.

Cornflake Layer

  • Make toffee (go slow!) – Add the sugar into a large sized saucepan and cook over low medium heat. Gently stir with a wooden spoon before letting it come to a boil. Then continue cooking until the toffee becomes a rich golden color and reaches 118C / 245F. Keep your eyes on it and take care not to burn the sugar which can happen very quickly!
  • Add cream and butter and cook again – Add the hot cream and stir slowly until fully incorporated, then add the butter and continue stirring until well combined. Once mixed in, continue cooking on high heat for 5 minutes or until the caramel reaches a temperature of 120C / 250F.
  • Stir in cornflakes and top – Remove from the heat and add the cornflakes. Gently fold through using a wooden spoon until all the cereal is coated. Pour on top of the brownies and spread out.
  • How to set – Allow the slice to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then place in the fridge for 2 hours to chill until completely set. This will make slicing it up easier.
  • How to get perfect slices – Use a large, sharp knife to slice into 4 x 5 squares. To make slicing much easier, run a sharp knife under hot water and dry it before cutting. This will help you get cleaner cuts through the sticky cornflakes layer. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Dark Cooking Chocolate – Using good quality chocolate is important in this recipe. I used semi-sweet / dark cooking chocolate. This is different to eating chocolate and is specially made for baking with. You can find cooking chocolate in the baking isle of your supermarket. 
Why the egg yolk?
The egg yolk helps make these brownies richer and chewy. It’s a remarkable thing and works with cookie recipes too!
Storage
These brownies can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. You can even freeze them. They don’t freeze solid, they just get super chewy. So delicious! 
How to stop your baking paper from sticking to the sticky brownie batter as it bakes
It’s simple! Just use little metal clips. I bought mine from amazon. But you can find them anywhere. Just make sure they’re not coated in paint. The plain shiny metals ones are best. 
Toffee Layer
  • It can burn easily – don’t take your eyes off the toffee when making it. Cook on a medium low heat. Take your time. As soon as the sugar is melted take it off the heat and move to the next step immediately.
  • Stir very gently and slowly – a rigorous stir can cause sugar crystals to stick to the sides of your pot and they will burn or can cause your toffee to crystalize (turn into a big, solid sugar crystal).
  • Cook on a low, slow heat – there’s no speeding up this part of the recipe. It will take about 10 minutes to make the toffee. A low and slow heat will give the sugar time to melt and brown gently without burning.
Nutrition – is an approximate and is based on per bar. This recipe makes 20 bars.
A note on measurements – this recipe is offered in weight measurements. This is in an effort to offer the most accurate way to get the best results. Cup measurements simply aren’t accurate enough for a recipe that needs precision and cup sizes differ depending on where you are in the world. Here is where you can learn more about how to measure ingredients using digital kitchen scales!

Nutrition

Calories : 332kcal
Carbonhydrates: 39g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat : 5g
Trans Fat : 0.4g
Cholesterol: 67mg
Sodium: 158mg
Potassium : 79mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar : 25g
Vitamin A: 682IU
Vitamin C: 2mg
Calcium: 23mg
Iron: 3mg
Nutrition Disclosure
Gave this recipe a go?Mention @thescranline or tag #thescranline!

12 comments

Janet Smithers June 25, 2023 - 1:22 pm

5 stars
I can’t wait to try these!

Reply
Nick Makrides October 1, 2024 - 6:03 am

Hey Janet! So excited for you to give these a go! You’re going to love the mix of fudgy brownies and crunchy caramel. Let me know how they turn out! N x

Reply
Denice June 26, 2023 - 11:46 am

I’ve seen this very recipe on cupcake Jemma website. And why do you need my name and email address to comment!!!!!!!!!🤷🤷🤷

Reply
Nick Makrides July 13, 2023 - 3:56 am

Yeah I know. I copied her. Please screenshot this reply and send it to her. Her first response will be that she invented this recipe and that I’ve copied her lol

Reply
Dala July 17, 2023 - 5:43 pm

5 stars
Is the caramel chewy or crispy?

Reply
Nick Makrides October 1, 2024 - 6:03 am

Hey Dala! The caramel is perfectly chewy, giving you that satisfying bite alongside the fudgy brownies and crunchy cornflakes. N x

Reply
Lauren August 2, 2023 - 11:42 am

Do the cornflakes stay crispy inside the toffee as the days go on? Or do they get stale/soggy/soft? I’m wanting to make these, but I know (I shouldn’t 🫣) go through them in a day or two and don’t like that kind of cereal texture if it doesn’t stay crispy.

Reply
Nick Makrides August 6, 2023 - 2:40 am

Hi Lauren! I’d say these stay fairly fresh in an airtight container for about 3 days. N x

Reply
Lisa Keys March 4, 2024 - 7:32 pm

4 stars
Too much toffee topping in relation to the brownie making it overly sweet for me. Next time I will make half the amount of topping and add some salt to combat the sweetness

Reply
Nick Makrides August 16, 2024 - 9:40 am

Thanks for the feedback Lisa! N x

Reply
Elena February 11, 2025 - 11:24 pm

Do you think it would be weird if I changed the cereal? And it should be the same weight, right?

Reply
Nick Makrides February 13, 2025 - 1:54 am

Not at all! Just be carefull with multi colored cereal which will make your batter grey in color. And yes, it would be the same weight! N x

Reply
4.86 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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