Cinnamon Chili Brownie with Salted Caramel

Last weekend The Mister and I had two other couples over for a Cinco de Mayo dinner party.

I really wanted to make something traditional for dessert, but I'm not a flan fan, and sopapillas are only good when they are served from fryer to plate-- didn't want to have to cook while everyone was enjoying after dinner conversation.

I decided I would make a Cinnamon Chili Brownie with salted caramel.

Mexican Brownies

Ingredients

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 (rounded) teaspoon ground cinnamon (canela)
• 1/4 - 1/2  teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper (I used 1/2 tsp, but could have used more!)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Press the paper into the corners of the pan and spray paper with cooking spray.

Melt the 2 sticks of butter (but do not boil.) Let cool. Mix sugar, eggs, vanilla and butter. Until light yellow and creamy.  

Add the cocoa, flour, cinnamon, chili powder, salt and baking powder and mix until smooth. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out fudgy, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack, then use the parchment paper to lift out the brownies before slicing.

Salted Caramel

At some point I had read that if you simmer a can of sweetened condensed milk in a pot of water for several hours, it would turn to caramel. I tried it, and it is delish.

Take paper off of the can, submerge it in a pot of water; bring the water to a simmer (do not boil); refill the water when low (be sure to keep can completely submerged at all times).  Simmer for three (ish) hours. Let can cool, then open, and spread on brownies.

Sprinkle a dash of kosher salt on the top.

Serve with a scoop of Vanilla Bean ice cream and a cup of hot coffee.

Muy bueno!