Salted Caramel Brownies - (optional: Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

One thing led to another, and before I knew it I had made brownies.
Brownies can very depending on your ingredients. I love my sweets, but if I can I always try to make a healthier unhealthy dessert.

Ingredients:
Salted Caramel -
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
6 1/2 tbs of unsalted butter dairy free alternative optional
1/2 tsp of salt
2 tbs of milk or almond milk

Do not substitute butter because it brings out the best caramel flavor, but you can use a dairy free alternative.
Sugar substitutes can be used, but some do not crystallize as regular sugar cane sugar does. I used a stevia blend sweetner and that is why my caramel didn't harden, however the flavor was not altered.

Brownies:
3 oz of unsweetend chocolate or
(9 tbs of cocoa
3 tbs of coconut oil or butter substitute) yields 3 oz
3 tbs of coconut oil or butter substitute
1 cup of sugar or sweeter alternative
2 large eggs
1/4 tsp of salt
2/3 cups of almond meal or flour substitute

If almond meal is used, the brownie will be a bit crumbly, but tasteful nonetheless

Step 1: Make Salted Caramel: Stir Ingredients and Heat

Salted Caramel -
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
6 1/2 tbs of unsalted butter dairy free alternative optional
1/2 tsp of salt
2 tbs of milk or almond milk

In a sauce pan, melt the butter. Once melted, add the remaining ingredients and stir. In medium heat, continue to stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved, this will take approximately 15 minutes. The sugar will begin to brown, reduce to low simmer and cook for about 15 minutes more.
WARNING THIS IS VERY HOT! You can burn your tongue trying to taste this tasty blend.

Step 2: Make Salted Caramel: Pour and Cool

Grease a cookie sheet and pour the mixture. Let cool and harden. You can put in the freezer for 30 minute, or

Step 3: Make Brownies: Homemade Unsweet Chocolate Paste

Use 3oz of unsweet chocolate or make your own. If you have chocolate, you can skip this step.

In a sauce pan combine 9 tbs of cocoa powder, add 3 tbs of butter, shortening or coconut oil and stir till you have a chocolate paste

Step 4: Make Brownies: Mix Eggs, Sugar, Vanilla

In a bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and melted coconut oil or butter

Step 5: Make Brownies: Add Remaining Ingredients

add your cocoa paste, and salt
Finally add the almond meal. Mix with a wooden spoon once the almong meal has been added.

Step 6: Making Brownies: Parchment Paper!! Line Pan and BAKE

Use parchment paper to line an 8x8 pan. This will ensure your brownies don't break when you remove them from the pan.
This is ideal if you plan to gift the brownies.

Pour a layer of brownie mix in the pan. Top with salted caramel, add another layer of brownie mix, and top once more with caramel.

Bake at 350F for 30 to 45 minutes.