Dessert: Caramel-Layered Dark Chocolate Brownies

Recipe by /contributors/carole-bloom These intensely flavored dark chocolate brownies are spread with a layer of caramel then topped with bittersweet chocolate ganache. Caramel and deep chocolate flavor burst in your mouth with every bite. Both the brown

Ingredients

Nonstick baking spray
5 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
12 tablespoons (6 ounces, 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 large egg yolk, room temperature
3/4 cup (5 ounces) superfine sugar
3/4 cup (4 1/2 ounces) firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (3 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons natural cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher or fine-grained sea salt

Instructions

Brownies: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line the baking pan with aluminum foil, letting it hang about two inches over the sides. Coat the inside of the foil with nonstick baking spray.
Place both chocolates and the butter together in the top of a double boiler over low heat. Stir often with a rubber spatula to help melt evenly. Remove the top pan of the double boiler and wipe the bottom and sides dry. Or place the chocolates and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and melt on low power for 30-second bursts. Stir with a rubber spatula after each burst to make sure it's melting. Let the mixture cool while mixing the rest of the brownie batter. Stir with a rubber spatula occasionally to prevent a skin from forming on top.
Whip the eggs and egg yolk in the bowl of an electric stand mixer using the wire whip attachment, or in a large bowl using a hand-held mixer, until frothy, about 1 minute.
Add the sugars to the eggs and whip together until the mixture is very thick and pale colored and holds a slowly dissolving ribbon as the beater is lifted, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and stir to blend well.
Add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and blend completely on low speed. Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with the rubber spatula. The mixture will be smooth and dark chocolate colored.
In a medium bowl, sift the flour and cocoa powder together. Add the salt and stir to combine.
In 3 stages, add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture, blending well after each addition. Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula to help mix evenly.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use a rubber spatula to spread it evenly. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out with slightly moist crumbs clinging to it. Remove the pan from the oven and cool completely on a rack.