My brother's birthday is coming up, and I've decided to conquer the task of creating the greatest birthday cake to ever exist, and this is the beauty that he's requested.
Brownie Caramel Pecan Cake
1 cup sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. water
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/3 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt (if preferred)
50 caramel pieces, unwrapped
1 Tbsp. milk
4 Tbsp. butter
3/4 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350F. Grease cake pan and dust with flour. Set aside.
2. Combine sugar, butter, and water in a large sauce pan (do not use a frying pan like I did!). Cook over low heat stirring often until mixture boils. Remove from heat and immediately mix in 2 cup of chocolate chips. Stir like crazy until your arms feel like rubber. Beat in 4 eggs and vanilla. Stir, stir, stir! It will get easier. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix together well. Add flour mixture into chocolate mixture and stir. Spread batter into cake pan. Bake approx. 20 mins. Cake will start to crack and pull away at the sides.
3. While cake is baking, prepare caramel topping. Unwrap 40 caramels. This is boring as heck, and I am open to other ideas if anyone knows any! Microwave caramels, butter, and milk on high for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Return to microwave for 30 sec. intervals until smooth. Do not overcook.
4. Once cake is out of the oven, cool for a few mins. and place on wax paper for easy clean up. Spread on caramel topping all over. Immediately sprinkle 3/4 cup pecan pieces and 1/2 cup chocolate chips on top. Set for 1 hour.