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Golden Gate Bars- Fudgy brownies with a shortbread crust, a layer of caramel and divine chocolate ganache topping!  Crazy good stuff.

I found this recipe about a hundred  (?) years ago.  It was on the back of a box of Salted Caramel Brownie Mix.  The recipe has been sitting in my recipe archives since then.  I never made them and I'm not quite sure why....they are amazing! 

Ingredients Needed

• Salted caramel brownie mix * see recipe note
• Oil + Water + Egg
• Butter
• Flour
• Powdered sugar
• Chocolate chips
• Whipping cream
• Coarse sea salt (optional)

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Your Layers:

• Bottom: Shortbread crust with caramel sauce
• Middle:  Fudgy brownies
• Top: Chocolate ganache

Recipes Notes

• If you can't find salted caramel brownie mix, you can find it here or you can use your favorite brownie mix.  It will work, but, you will have to bake it in a 9 x 9 pan and use your own caramel sauce for it.  I recommend using about 1/4 of a cup.
• Be sure to let your brownie cool completely before adding the chocolate ganache topping. 
• Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator. They are best eaten within a week.
• If desired,  top off your finished bars with coarse sea salt.  A delicious finishing touch!

linking up and weekend potluck

Golden Gate Bars

Fudgy brownies with a shortbread crust, a layer of caramel and divine chocolate ganache topping! Crazy good stuff.

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Hands-Off Time: 0 mins

Yield: 12-15 bars

Servings:

Units & Temp:

Ingredients

• FOR CRUST:
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• FOR BROWNIE LAYER:
• 16 oz package, salted caramel brownie mix
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup neutral tasting oil
• 1 egg
• FOR GANACHE TOPPING:
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• coarse sea salt, optional

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9 x 9 baking pan.
2. MAKE CRUST:
3. Mix together butter, flour and powdered sugar until dough forms. Press it evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven.
4. Spread caramel (from brownie mix or your own) evenly on top of baked crust.
5. MAKE BROWNIE LAYER:
6. Mix together dry brownie mix, water, oil and egg. Mix until combined.
7. Spread batter evenly on top of caramel layer. Bake for 35-38 minutes. Remove from oven and let the brownies cool completely.
8. MAKE GANACHE:
9. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat cream until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add in chocolate chips. Mix until the chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is smooth.
10. Spread ganache evenly on top of cooled brownies. Let the ganache set before serving.
11. If desired, sprinkle top with coarse sea salt before serving.

Notes & Variations

If your brownie mix doesn't come with salted caramel sauce, use your favorite brand/recipe. Use about 1/4 of a cup.

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• 9 x 9 Baking Pan
• Baking Spray