Warm Nutty Caramel Brownies - Question About Chocolate!

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants' experiences and thoughts on making Warm Nutty Caramel Brownies, particularly focusing on the challenges of working with melted chocolate and suggestions for improvement.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expressed difficulty in squeezing melted chocolate from a baggie, resulting in a mess and wasted chocolate.
  • Another participant suggested adding a little milk to the chocolate to thin it out for easier handling.
  • Several users mentioned the possibility of using the Easy Accent Decorator for melted chocolate, with mixed experiences regarding its effectiveness.
  • One participant noted a preference for caramel kisses over Rolos, citing a dislike for the taste of Rolos when cold.
  • Another participant shared that they found melted chocolate to be liquid enough to drizzle easily, contrasting with others' experiences of thickness.
  • Some participants discussed using Hershey's syrup as an alternative topping, highlighting its ease of use and positive reception from others.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best method for handling melted chocolate, with some participants finding it manageable while others experienced difficulties. There is no clear consensus on the effectiveness of the Easy Accent Decorator or the best chocolate type to use.

Contextual Notes

Participants shared personal experiences and preferences regarding chocolate handling techniques and product usage, reflecting a variety of cooking styles and outcomes.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants looking for tips on improving their brownie-making techniques and exploring product options for chocolate application.

  • Thread starter
  • #61
There are SO MANY good tips on this thread! Thank you all so much!I just love this site and all the things I learn from it!
 
I totally agree w/ Shana & Kelly.
But one thing that got me was...
Are you using Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolate?
There is a HUGE difference in how they melt.
I would suggest using the Semi Sweet, as the recipe calls for.

I too agree w/ the caramel kisses. the rollos are TOO hard when they cool, the caramel doesn't melt into the chocolate, the chocolate outside is kinda yucky to me too.

OH, and it is is GREAT with pretzels! I made a pan & my family gobbled them up in one afternoon!
 
The very first time I made these I used my EAD - but quickly discovered you need more melted chocolate because so much gets left in the "tip" of the decorator. I liked using the EAD much better than the baggie option - I also discovered(after making these several times) you could add a little less of the choc. chips in the brownie mix and reserve more for the drizzle

I have also tried the hershey's syrup route (lol) not bad but a different chocolate all together- I prefer the melted chips.

I think maybe if you buy the family size bag of morsels and reserve either 3/4 to 1 cup for melting -IT WOULD BE CHOCOLATE HEAVEN!!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #64
Chozengirl said:
I totally agree w/ Shana & Kelly.
But one thing that got me was...
Are you using Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolate?
There is a HUGE difference in how they melt.
I would suggest using the Semi Sweet, as the recipe calls for.

I bought milk chocolate but I got too small of a bag so I added some semi-sweet I already had. I'd forgotten I did this - so that bowl was about 3/4 milk choc. and 1/4 semi-sweet. That could be a very big part of it.
 
Chozengirl said:
I totally agree w/ Shana & Kelly.
But one thing that got me was...
Are you using Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolate?
There is a HUGE difference in how they melt.
I would suggest using the Semi Sweet, as the recipe calls for.

I too agree w/ the caramel kisses. the rollos are TOO hard when they cool, the caramel doesn't melt into the chocolate, the chocolate outside is kinda yucky to me too.

OH, and it is is GREAT with pretzels! I made a pan & my family gobbled them up in one afternoon!


Did you put pretzels on the top? My son has a peanut allergy and I really really want to make these but can't bring nuts into the house. I wonder how it would be with pretzels on top.
 
riggs62 said:
Did you put pretzels on the top? My son has a peanut allergy and I really really want to make these but can't bring nuts into the house. I wonder how it would be with pretzels on top.
Others have tested this with great results. Just replace the nuts with pretzels...otherwise, follow the recipe!

Let us know how you like them...I LOVE the sweet/salty combo so the pretzels will keep that flavor combo!
 
I just tried these this morning. Personally, I think they are perfectly yummy with the Rolos. The only problem I had is that the brownies still sort of stuck to the pan even after basting it with oil. Granted, this is the first time I've used my bar pan... does anyone have any ideas so that the brownies don't stick at my show next week? Thanks!
 
I have found that adding a tsp. of vegetable oil to the chocolate chips helps it to melt faster and thins it out nicely. I use the measure all cup to support the baggie then tie that off with a twixit clip. Cut the tip of the baggie with the kitchen shears. Thats 3 products just to drizzle chocolate. And since at the drizzling point there is no need to hurry it gives you time to talk about each one!

Oh- and Angela??? Where are MY brownies???
 
Since I am oh so brilliant some times, I put half of the rollos into the batter of the last batch I made... PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME! I baked them in the mini muffin pan and got about 2/3 of them out when they were done. The carmel sticks like crazy. However..... I did learn something with the rest of the batter. I greased my mini baker, then lined it with parchment paper and sprayed that too. That batch came out perfectly! I just peeled the paper off the back.
 
Carissidy said:
Of course you are invited! Everyone can come....who wouldnt for those brownies! Its a long drive from Ohio though. Where are you from in Ohio?:cool:


:o Angela,
Sorry, I didn't mean to not answer your question....missed it somehow. Anyway, I am actually from Jacksonville, Florida, originally. Born and bred a Southern gal.
Married my Ohio yankee guy, and here I am! I'm stuck up here in Poland, a suburb of Youngstown. But, I'll never be more than a Southerner, even if I have to freeze my butt off up here in the north!! lol :p

lol Seriously, though, the people here are really friendly. I have been blessed with great in-laws, too, which helps, as well as a great church family, and lots of great PC "cluster mates"!! :D

I just don't like the cold weather, and we sure do have lots of it up here!! Ha! Ha! :rolleyes:

Paula
 
So is the concensus that when you use Rolos, the brownies are not as good the next day? Do you think that even though the recipe calls to quarter the candy, the caramel kisses would still be better? It seems like they would not cut well.

I have not yet made this recipe, so I wanted to get you guys suggestions first!!
 
Am I the only person who just melts the chocolate chips right in the baggie? Works for me.
Also, I was going to say also that using a teaspoon of oil or Crisco will work with to help smooth out the chocolate if you have trouble with it squeezing out of the corner of the baggie.
I did not like the Rolos after the brownies were cool. I think the caramel Kisses would be better, and I wonder if less brown sugar in the topping would be better, too.
 
You can try lining the pan with parchment paper. oil under and over, then you can just peel it off the back when they are done.

kdietrich said:
I just tried these this morning. Personally, I think they are perfectly yummy with the Rolos. The only problem I had is that the brownies still sort of stuck to the pan even after basting it with oil. Granted, this is the first time I've used my bar pan... does anyone have any ideas so that the brownies don't stick at my show next week? Thanks!
 
i just made these again and they're even better than the first time. i used less brown sugar and a little less nuts and they came out soooo good. i'm pampering my friends job today. wish me luck!
 
DizziePixie said:
So is the concensus that when you use Rolos, the brownies are not as good the next day? Do you think that even though the recipe calls to quarter the candy, the caramel kisses would still be better? It seems like they would not cut well.

I have not yet made this recipe, so I wanted to get you guys suggestions first!!
Not true! They are best warm from the oven but they are also awesome the next day and the day after if they last that long! I have not had any problems with the caramel being hard at all - even when served cold. I follow the recipe exactly except that I grate some nuts over the top at the end to show off the microplane. I have made this many times without any issues.

To do the melted chocolate: I put 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips in a prep bowl in the microwave for 1 minute, stir and spoon into the large flexible funnel placed in a decorator bottle (you have to squeeze the funnel to get all the chocolate out) and then drizzle over brownie with the writing tip. Works great and shows several more tools.
 
i made theseone word wow. these are so decadent and sweet., almost to the point of being sickening if eaten too much. yes I didn't think there was such a thing as too much chocolate :eek: but this comes close. instead of the chocolate drizzled over the top I used carmel ice cream topper. good, but you can't see it like you can a chocolate. i think that the mini reeses would be really good too. that is my two cents
 
I was at a picnic yesterday and somebody brought these. I almost questioned everyone there: Are you a PC consultant or do you have one? If it had been only people from DH's and my car club, I would have, because they all already know I'm a little nuts. But there were people there I didn't know yet. Whoever made them drizzled with the semisweet AND white chocolate on the top. Very pretty.
 
i used the bag as well and never had a problem. melted the chocolate in the prep bowl and then stuck a bag down in the measuring cup as per the "tip" and just scraped/pured the chocolate in and then pulled bag out snipped corner and it came out fine. I didn't get all of the chocolate out but had more than enough.
 
chefann said:
I was at a picnic yesterday and somebody brought these. I almost questioned everyone there: Are you a PC consultant or do you have one? If it had been only people from DH's and my car club, I would have, because they all already know I'm a little nuts. But there were people there I didn't know yet. Whoever made them drizzled with the semisweet AND white chocolate on the top. Very pretty.
Very Funny Ann, I would have still went around asking who made those!
The white & semisweets are a GREAT idea!
I made them again yesterday for a show and I still say the kisses would be better! Even peeling the wrapper off of the rollos are a PITA! I had my hostess do it...LOL
Oh, and then I had her husband come in and clean my bar pan. I think they might buy PC out of business, they LOVE our products!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of chocolate is best for making Warm Nutty Caramel Brownies?

For the best flavor and texture, it's recommended to use high-quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate. These types of chocolate provide a rich taste that complements the caramel and nuts in the brownies.

Can I use chocolate chips instead of baking chocolate in the recipe?

Yes, you can use chocolate chips instead of baking chocolate. However, keep in mind that chocolate chips contain stabilizers that may prevent them from melting as smoothly as baking chocolate. For a gooey texture, you may want to slightly adjust the melting process.

How can I ensure my brownies are not too dry?

To prevent dry brownies, avoid overbaking them. Check for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time by inserting a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs. Additionally, using ingredients at room temperature can help achieve a fudgier texture.

What can I substitute for chocolate if I want a different flavor?

If you're looking for a different flavor profile, you can substitute the chocolate with cocoa powder. Use about 1/3 cup of cocoa powder for every ounce of chocolate, and add a bit of extra fat, like butter or oil, to maintain the moisture in the brownies.

Can I add nuts to the chocolate mixture for extra flavor?

Absolutely! Adding nuts to the chocolate mixture can enhance the flavor and texture of your brownies. Chopped walnuts or pecans are great options. Just be sure to fold them in gently to avoid breaking up the brownie batter too much.

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