Caramel Crunch Brownie Skillet

A rich skillet brownie topped with dulce de leche ice cream and crunchy caramel corn, and drizzled with chocolate syrup!

Caramel Crunch Brownie Skillet

©Eazy Peazy Mealz by EazyPeazyMealz.com

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If you are looking at this brownie and wondering what I was thinking putting caramel popcorn on top of a skillet brownie, let me explain:

I recently went on a girls island getaway with my daughter and two of my blogging friends. We went to Fajardo, Puerto Rico to enjoy the sand and the sun. I wrote about What to do in Fajardo Puerto Rico if you want to see some of what we did and some really amazing beaches.

We stayed at this amazing resort, the El Conquistador, which is a Waldorf Astoria resort. It is huge, beautiful, and has a bunch of restaurants on property. One of the restaurants in Chops Steakhouse. It is their signature restaurant, and we were lucky enough to get to eat a dinner there.

The chef spoiled us sending out specials like scallops and short rib appetizers. And we ordered amazing sides like truffle fries, and mushroom ragu. Our entrees were also amazing, and we were so ridiculously full by the time we were asked about dessert we almost declined.

I am pretty glad we didn’t. The resort suggested we simply order the desserts to go, and enjoy them back in our room when we weren’t so full. The room had a mini-fridge, so we quickly agreed that this was a good idea. The only dessert we couldn’t take back to our room was the skillet brownie…because of the skillet.

We ordered one of almost everything, so despite feeling very full, I decided to take a bite of the skillet brownie. Waste not, want not. And then I took another. And another. And…well the rest is history, or my thighs. Hahaha I am pretty much in love with brownies. And add caramel in the form of ice cream, and it is hard for me to resist. Well, this particular brownie came out with caramel popcorn and caramel ice cream. I was sold.

When I got home I emailed and asked for the recipe. They sent it to me, and it was for a restaurant size amount of brownies. So I scaled it down, and made it friendly for the everyday kitchen. I made a big batch of my mom’s caramel popcorn recipe, and bought some dulce de leche ice cream. Then I pigged out.

Anyway, you can whip it up in under 20 minutes with stuff that is probably already in your pantry. And feel free to skip the popcorn and ice cream if that is not your thing. The brownie is pretty tasty just as it is. However, if you want some crunch, texture is always good, and you like caramel, then this is a real winner.

The brownie was rich and decadent.

Tips for Making Skillet Brownies

Choose the Right Skillet:
- Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and a perfectly crispy edge. An 8 to 10-inch skillet is ideal for most recipes. But I used a personal pan size for this recipe.
Preheat the Skillet:
- Preheat the skillet in the oven before adding the brownie batter. This helps to create a nice crust on the bottom and edges. And who doesn’t like a crispy edged brownie?
Use Quality Ingredients:
- High-quality chocolate and cocoa powder make a big difference in flavor. Choose unsweetened cocoa powder and high-cacao dark chocolate for rich, fudgy brownies.
Don’t Overmix the Batter:
- Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can result in tough brownies.
Add a Touch of Coffee:
- A small amount of brewed coffee or espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor without making the brownies taste like coffee.

Customize Your Add-Ins:
- Add nuts, chocolate chips, marshmallows, or caramel swirls to the batter for extra texture and flavor. Sprinkle some on top before baking for a decorative touch.
Adjust Baking Time:
- Keep an eye on the brownies as they bake. Skillet brownies can cook faster than those in a regular baking pan. Start checking for doneness a few minutes earlier than the recipe suggests.
Test for Doneness:
- Insert a toothpick into the center. For fudgier brownies, it should come out with a few moist crumbs. For cakier brownies, it should come out mostly clean.
Cool Before Serving:
- Let the brownies cool in the skillet for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps them set and makes them easier to cut.
Serve Warm with Toppings:
- Skillet brownies are best served warm. Top with a scoop of caramel ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of sea salt for a delicious finish.
Use Parchment Paper for Easy Removal:
- For easier removal and cleaning, line the skillet with a round piece of parchment paper before adding the batter.
Grease the Skillet:
- Even if your skillet is well-seasoned, lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

I used a store bought caramel ice cream! The cold ice cream on the hot brownie means a nice gooey mess. But oh so delicious.

Don’t put the ice cream on until you are ready to serve, as it will melt fast!

Top with your caramel corn. Then dig in. Don’t you just want a bite?