Salted Caramel Chocolate Meringue Brownies – intense chocolate brownie, sticky salted caramel, and peaks of gooey torched meringue. Jump to Recipe
I have finally found a way to get something out of that commute to the hospital. Podcasts. Or TedTalks, more specifically. 15 minute segments of interesting, original ideas, presented from the unique perspectives of experts in those fields, who more often than not are captivating public speakers. Perfect for the 45 minutes sitting in the car when I might otherwise be flicking mindlessly through peak-hour radio shows and adverts. And I’m not forcing myself to listen – this isn’t a microbiology channel, or a way of studying by listening to a podcast on the treatment of heart failure – it is what I might choose to watch if I had a few more hours spare in the evening.
Already, I’ve learnt that my procrastination habit might really be sign of innate creativity (I wish). But in the talk “The surprising habits of highly original thinkers”, Adam Grant details his psychology experiments where they discovered that the most creativity is generated by people who don’t complete the task set them straight away: they start early, but take almost until the due date to finish, leaving it churning away in the back of their mind for the longest period. However, this doesn’t mean you should wait until the night before to start something…because you will be so stressed and rushed that you won’t have much creativity then either! And you should always doubt your ideas – because when have doubt, you will go onto make improvements and refinements, searching for a better option. Kind of counterintuitive.
I never thought conversation was something that should be studied, but Celeste Headlee (the award-winning radio host) convinced me in ’10 ways to have a better conversation’. One of her points was that we have an overwhelming habit of thinking of something – an anecdote, something from our day, something sparked by what someone said 2 minutes ago – and then not really listening anymore until we say our bit. We then become “just two people shouting out barely related sentences in the same place”. Maybe a little extreme, but you get the gist. It happens to me, it has happened to people talking to me, it happens in TV interviews and on radio – and I had never really noticed it as a issue. Because you stop listening properly.
I’ll stop before I bore you to death, but both those talks are 100% worth a listen. It’s just 15 minutes, after all.
And if you can’t be bothered to make better conversation – just make these salted caramel chocolate meringue brownies, and people will love you anyway. A dark, rich, chocolate-studded brownie is topped with a layer of sticky salted caramel. Glossy meringue is piped into peaks on top, then torched until a speckled gradient of white and brown emerges. More salted caramel is drizzled on top – because I couldn’t help myself. It felt right, okay?
So in your mouthful, you end up with intensely dark chocolate brownie, salty-sweet caramel, and a balancing fluffy cloud of meringue. It’s hard to stop at a single piece.
- 150 g unsalted butter
- 260 g caster sugar (1 1/4 cups minus one tablespoon)
- 65 g cocoa (2/3 cup minus 1 tablespoon)
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 45 g flour (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons)
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 150 g dark chocolate , roughly chopped
- 1 cup sugar (200g)
- 85 g (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ cup cream (120ml)
- ½ -1 tsp table salt (according to your tastes)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- sea salt for sprinkling
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup caster sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
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Preheat the oven to 160°C. Grease and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper.
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Melt the butter in a medium pot over low heat. Remove from the heat, stir in the caster sugar and cocoa until combined.
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Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring until the batter is smooth and glossy. Add the vanilla essence and combine.
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Sift over the flour and baking soda. Gently fold in.
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Add the chocolate and fold in to just combine.
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Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out with a few crumbs. Make sure you aren’t just getting melted chocolate from one of the chocolate chunks!
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Leave to cool for at least an hour.
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To make the caramel, first measure out all the components so you are ready to go (it happens quickly!).
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Heat the sugar in a medium pot over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. It will form clumps and start to melt into an amber liquid - watch carefully, ensuring it doesn’t catch/burn.
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When it is melted and golden-brown, add the butter and whisk until combined (this may take a couple of minutes). Be careful as the caramel will bubble and steam vigorously.
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Drizzle in the cream slowly, again whisking constantly until fully combined (1-2 minutes). Remove from the heat.
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Stir in the vanilla and salt to taste. Leave to cool.
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Remove 1/3 cup of caramel and set aside - this is the caramel you will drizzle over the meringue. Pour the remaining caramel over the brownie, spreading out to make an even layer. Refrigerate for 2-4 hrs, until set. Leave in the fridge until ready to pipe the meringue on top.
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Add egg whites and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer (or a heat proof bowl if using a hand beater). Place over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl isn’t touching the water, and whisk constantly until warm and the sugar has dissolved - check this by rubbing a bit between your finger tips - you shouldn’t be able to feel any granules.
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Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and cream of tartar.
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Place in the stand mixer and beat for 6-7 minutes on high until thick, white and glossy.
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Spoon into a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off) with a round nozzle, and gently pipe over the brownie. (see pictures).
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Using a blow torch, gently torch the meringue peaks.
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Drizzle the torched meringue with the remaining salted caramel.
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Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.
The podcasts sound really interesting I love podcasts at the movand the brownies look incredible literally drooling
What a gorgeous decadent treat! I love meringue and salted caramel as much as i love brownies. So this is the ultimate dessert for me:-)
Me too – seriously three of my favourite dessert components. Thank you!! x
You have seriously outdone yourself with these brownies! They are gorgeous.
Thanks Nicole! x
These look freaking incredible! I especially love the double salted caramel action, on top of the brownies and then on top of the meringue. Homemade salted caramel is one of the best things ever! They’re just so pretty too and totally inviting.
I have tried to get into podcasts but I think my problem is I don’t have a commute, I work from home and so I’m always at home during the week, and I may as well watch stuff on TV or read books in my downtime rather than sit staring into space listening to a podcast?! I get a bit bored with no other stimulus except the sounds of voices.
Anyway, wishing for one of these brownies for breakfast right now!
Thanks so much Hannah!! hahah with the salted caramel I had original planned to just do the layer underneath the meringue, but it came time to photograph them and I couldn’t help but add more on top..because who can ever have enough salted caramel?!
I agree about the podcasts – I would get distracted if I tried to listen to them at home I think – and not enough hours in the day to fit in time to just sit down and listen. Good if you are out walking or travelling though! xx
Wow are these a work of creativity. I think it is true that most artistic people work to a different beat, but I believe that combine artistry with a sense of accomplishment and you will create your own balance. I think the procrastination comes from fear and overwhelming thoughts. But you did an incredible job on these brownies and best completion, and better eating them but in moderation. Love the post and these brownies.
Take Care
Have a great evening.
Fear is a big component of procrastination – you put it well. Thanks Loreto (and yes, the brownies are definitely best eaten in moderation…!).
Ummm Claudia a few things…number one I love that part where you say mostly everyone is just waiting for the other to finish talking to they can add in their own two cents..its so irritating and super obvious when people do it grrr. As for podcasts I LOVE them…surprisingly the Food Bloggers Pro podcasts are da bomb! Highly recommend that 🙂 And these brownies…I can’t even! They are elegant, gorgeous and just calling my name! Great post!
Thanks Mila!! I’l have to have a look at the Food Blogger Pro ones too. I don’t think I could ever turn these brownies down either!
YES to podcasts! They are the best, I love the TED Radio ones! Also good is This American Life if you ever want to just hear life stories and such. I’m glad you found a good time to squeeze them in!
And these brownies girl. Wow. Both the meringue and the brownie itself look beautiful and perfect for a weekend (this weekend?!) <3
Yay thanks for the recommendation, will definitely try This American Life!! Thanks Erica! <3
Oh my. Waking up to these in my email was one awesome start to the morning. No conversation needed-these are conversation stoppers.
hahaha so true – conversation stoppers are right! All you would be able to hear is the sound of people eating… thanks Megan! x
I am SO loving podcasts right now, too! I am also guilty of not always being the greatest listener during conversations, definitely something I need to work on! These brownies look absolutely incredible, Claudia!! xo
I know…me too, especially if I am being distracted by my computer or something else going on. So easy to lose focus of what the other person is saying! Thanks so much Lucia x
These look absolutely decadent and amazing, Claudia! Such a gorgeous and delicious idea to top the brownies with the meringue kisses. Love!!
P.S. podcasts are the best! totally saved me on long car rides :p
Thanks so much Beeta! and I love your description of them as meringue kisses – I hadn’t thought of that! xx
TEDTalks are one of my favorite Podcast series as well! I love The Power of Introverts and Schools Kill Creativity! They are so inspirational and thought-provoking!
Oooh thanks for the recommendation, will definitely check out those talks!! x
Podcasts help me get through terribly boring workdays. That and catching up on the Modern Love column of The New York Times. These brownies look SO good. I’m definitely saving and pinning this one! 🙂
Will have to check out the Modern Love column! Thanks for the recommendation – I love new things to read!! x
My mouth is watering just looking at these on my screen!! I’d want to eat the entire pan! Talk about an awesome combo of salted caramel, chocolate and meringue all wrapped up in one delicious pretty brownie!! Pinning for later 🙂
Thanks Dawn! I know, it was a bit of a struggle to hold back from eating like 10 at once.. x
that caramel drizzle is too much for me!! these look so good! and yes podcasts are my saviour. I absolutely hate the radio, i would rather sit in silence than listen to the ‘djs’ talk about random, pointless stuff
hahah we are on the same page – morning radio seems to be just people talking about nothing in particular. Thanks so much!
This looks seriously delicious! Thanks for sharing. 😊
Thanks Lucy!
Oh my god these brownies are incredible.. give me one now, please! Xx
Thanks Thalia!! x
Hi, can the brownies be made a day before serving ?
Yes they can! I would just leave them in the fridge overnight and then put them out to come to room temperature an hour before serving.
So many drool-worthy components in these guys!! My goodness.
Haha just jamming them all into one epic brownie – thank you Nicole!
I was thinking of drizzling the caramel & piping meringue the day of serving , you’re saying I can complete it all & refrigerate ? that’s even better.
I tried the banana chocolate chunk bread, turned out great but the coffee cream was very bitter(will use less coffee next time). Plan on making the maple walnut ice cream today! :))
Yes either way will work fine! For the freshest meringue, you could refrigerate it overnight with the first layer of caramel, then do the meringue + caramel drizzle on the day – but you could also do it all the day before!
Sorry that the coffee mascarpone didn’t work out for you – maybe it depends on the strength of the coffee used as well. Hope the ice cream goes well! x
Oh MAN!! this looks drool worthy amazing!! absolutely killin it!
I’m craving a second dessert now. YUM!!
gorgeous post as always!
xx
OMG Claudia, I’m absolutely loving these brownies! That meringue with that salted caramel drizzle! Gorgeous! What a fabulous dessert treat!
I haven’t tried Ted post cast… but I love Ted talks. I find them so inspiring and enjoyable. I love these brownies even more. And that meringue!! Oh my oh my. Have I mentioned I don’t take much sweet stuff but brownies are a must!
I can’t believe I almost missed this post! It’s like my all-time dream brownie in real-life. This is gorgeous Claudia! You are so talented!!
These look insanely good! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! x