Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies

These brownies are for all my single ladies out there this time of year!

It is “Galentine’s Day” after all, isn’t it?! I mean, I’ve never hated Valentine’s Day.

Yes, I do think it’s overrated, and commercialized, but deep down I love celebrating almost anything, and I love any excuse to eat chocolate.

No matter what my relationship status is.

I especially love it when brownies are involved. Not just any brownies, either, these Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies take it to the next level.

I went out a limb a few months ago (errr, last year + a few months ago, before these photos were updated) and shared this post about being single.

With zero shame, I wanted to share it with y’all for a few reasons.

Why share about single-ness?

1. So many bloggers write about being married, having kids, etc. It’s so hard to find single bloggers out there, living the independent life, that simultaneously talk about dating (and the real struggle that it can be!).
   • I would love to be relatable to the single ladies (or guys!) out there. And just so we’re crystal clear, this is no knock to those of you happily coupled. I know I’ll be there one day, but for now this is where I’m at, and I’m loving it.
2. I want to be able to share it with you!
   • My real life. I don’t want to skate around what’s really going on in my life. Stories about dating?! Bring it on! (while still being respectful to boundaries and all…but I already covered that).
3. I want to share it, but I’m scared!
   • I want to push myself out of my comfort zone, live fearlessly, and talk about more than just food (although that is my favorite topic of discussion!).
4. Being single isn’t a curse! I want to change the conversation around singledom with you! Whether you’re happily coupled, committed, in a relationship, married, guy, girl, single, whatever – I want us to CHAT!

We all have stories we can share. Being single doesn’t have to be depressing, or sad, or lonely. And it surely shouldn’t be perceived as such.

Let’s change the dialogue and focus on how – no matter what stage of life you’re at – being single should be seen as fiercely independent, empowering strong, non-settling, and a blessing!

Let’s start having real, honest conversations about what single is – and isn’t – and how we want the dating process to be for us!

Onto the BROWNIES!

Have you figured out why I’m calling them Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies yet? Honestly, because they are the most EPIC brownies you’ll ever have. And they’re definitely better than the struggles of dating. ?

I know you didn’t think that anything could be better than the simplicity of a dense, fudgy brownie all by itself…but my friends, you haven’t had brownies like these.

Of course, the base is still the thick, chocolatey brownie we all crave, love, and demand. AS IT SHOULD BE!

THEN, SALTED CARAMEL.

You’re right, I said it. And you’re right that the use of caps locks was required. Salted Caramel is life – the ooey, gooey, soft, creaminess with the hint of sea salt. To. Die. For.

Now, you have two routes to take here:

• store-bought salted caramel sauce – like what you’d drizzle on ice cream
• homemade sea salt caramel

Obviously homemade is always better, but sometimes, ain’t nobody got time for that.

So I get it.

But for those of you who want to be boss, I added the homemade caramel recipe I use.

Then… then you guys…

THE POTATO CHIPS

You know, that whole sweet-and-salty combination? Just like with the salted caramel? Obviously, it’s dynamite.

Plus, the potato chips add mega crunch to Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies.

Basically, it’s like a texture explosion in your mouth. Was that weird? I hope it wasn’t weird, because I’m not taking it back.

How do you top off Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies?! With a chocolate ganache drizzle, of course.

What could be better than “sandwiching” these brownies between layers of chocolate? Besides adding a layer of salted caramel and potato chips in the middle! 😉

To take them over the top, sprinkle some sea salt flakes on top for an extra hint of saltiness.

There you have it – a happy explosion of sweet, salty, crunchy, fudgy, chewy amazingness.

Whether you’ve got a boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, or your own independent wonderful self, go ahead and eat all the brownies your heart desires.

They are the perfect Valentine, after all.

5 (2 ratings)

Get the Recipe Better Than a Boyfriend Brownies

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 9 large brownies or 12 smaller

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Thick, fudgy brownies topped with salted caramel, crunchy potato chips, and chocolate ganache!

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Ingredients

BROWNIES:

• ▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• ▢ 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• ▢ 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 eggs, room temperature
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• ▢ 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ▢ 2 1/2 cups potato chips
• ▢ 1 cup caramel sauce, see below for ingredients + recipe or use store-bought
• ▢ Sea Salt Flakes

CARAMEL SAUCE:

• ▢ 1/2 cup water
• ▢ 1 1/4 cup sugar
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream

CHOCOLATE GANACHE:

• ▢ 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or a dark chocolate bar, chopped
• ▢ 1 teaspoon coconut oil or flavorless oil of choice

Instructions

 

• Brownies: 
• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
• Melt butter in a microwave-safe container. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until combined. Whisk in vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time. Don’t over mix.
• Stir in flour, salt, and espresso powder; fold in chocolate chips. Spread evenly in the pan and bake for 25-28 minutes until edges are set and a toothpick is removed with desired “gooeyness” level (it’s ok if there’s a little batter on the toothpick or a slight jiggle in the middle – they’ll cool to gooey brownies!). Let brownies cool completely.
• Once cooled and other components are ready, spread approximately 1 cup of cooled caramel across brownies. Top immediately with potato chips and then chocolate ganache drizzle. Sprinkle with salt flakes as desired.
• Caramel Sauce: Warm the heavy cream in a small saucepan. In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil and simmer without stirring until it turns a rich honey color, approximately 10-12 minutes. You can “swirl” the pan around so it caramelizes evenly. Cook for an additional minute or two as the color deepens. Immediately add the cream while stirring and reduce heat. Use your spoon to push down the bubbles. Stir together and remove from heat. Let cool, store in an airtight jar in the fridge.
• Chocolate Ganache: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate and oil in 15-second increments. Stir in between intervals until chocolate is completely melted (it won’t take much, and when you stir it the chocolate should continue to melt, stopping and stirring will ensure it doesn’t burn in the microwave).

Notes

You don’t have to add the espresso powder, but it definitely brings out a rich, deep chocolate flavor in the brownies! Highly recommended.

Bourbon Caramel Sauce is also great in place of regular sea salt caramel. If you don’t want to make your own caramel, buy a salted caramel sauce from the store (like what you’d put on ice cream). Caramel will thicken as it cools and sits in the fridge, I spread on the caramel straight from the fridge so it stays thick on the brownies.

The longer the potato chips are on top of the caramel layer, they do become slightly soggy; I’d recommend eating the brownies the same day or adding more potato chips for the added crunch the next day.

Course: Desserts

Author: Becca Mills

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!

This post was originally published on February 12, 2018; the photos were updated February 13, 2019. The recipe remained the same, the text was just refined for clarity.  

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