Blonde Brownie Caramel Cups

These are a lot of fun. In the center of a blonde brownie is a little chocolate surprise under the caramel! I found this in a Pillsbury Bake-Off recipe book.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• Cups

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1  cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  egg
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped  nuts

• Topping

• 20  caramels, unwrapped
• 1  tablespoon water
• 1⁄2 cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup  finely chopped  nuts

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Line 16 muffin cups with foil or paper baking cups.
3. Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat.
4. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar.
5. Add vanilla and egg; mix well.
6. Add flour, baking powder and salt; blend well.
7. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped nuts.
8. Divide batter evenly into lined muffin cups.
9. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Meanwhile, in small saucepan over low heat, melt caramels with water; stir constantly until smooth (or microwave in glass bowl with 1 tablespoon water on High for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally).
11. Immediately after brownie cups are removed from oven, place chocolate chips evenly into middle of each brownie.
12. Spoon 1 scant tablespoon of caramel over chocolate chips in each cup.
13. If necessary, stir additional water into melted caramels to maintain spoonable consistency.
14. Sprinkle 1/4 cup finly chopped nuts evenly over brownies.
15. Cool completely.
16. Store in tightly covered container.