Decadent Chocolate Brownies & Caramel Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

 These brownies are so good.  The frosting just makes it even better.   

DECADENT CHOCOLATE FROSTING WITH

CARAMEL  MARSHMALLOW BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

(serves 24)

Brownie Ingredients:

*1 1/4 cups butter

*1 (8 ounce) bar semi-sweet chocolate

*3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (dutch is best)

*2 teaspoon instant coffee

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

*1 1/2  teaspoons salt

*6 large eggs, room temperature 

*1 cup all-purpose flour

Frosting Ingredients:

*2 cups butter, softened

*2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

*1/2 teaspoon almond extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 (14 ounce) jar of marshmallow cream (I make my own marshmallow cream/fluff)

*10 soft Kraft caramels (or use store bought caramel sauce)

*2 teaspoons heavy cream (only if you are making your own caramel sauce)

Brownie Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9X13 inch pan with cooking spray or grease with butter.

~Line with parchment paper (I only do this if I'm taking all the brownie out and plating them).

~In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup cocoa powder and instant coffee until well mixed.

~Stir in chopped chocolate.

~Melt butter until it's almost at a boil, stirring often.

~Pour melted butter over chocolate and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.

~Stir mixture until chocolate is melted.

~Set aside.

~In a large mixing bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs until light and fluffy  on high speed (8-10 minutes).

~Pour melted chocolate mixture into mixing bowl, and beat until well combined and smooth.

~Sift flour and remaining unsweetened cocoa into batter.

~Gently fold flour into mixture until just combined (do not over mix).

~Pour batter into prepared pan.

~Bake for 20 minutes.

~Remove from oven a lightly drop pan on top of stove or counter top (yes, you heard me right).

~Return to oven and bake for another 20 minutes (the edges will look cooked, but not the center).

~Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Frosting Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, cream butter until light yellow and soft and fluffy.

~Add in the powdered sugar and mix until all the lumps are Gond and mixture is smooth.

~Stir in almond extract.

~Add Marshmallow cream and mix until well incorporated and smooth.

~Spread desired amount of frosting on cooled brownies.

~In a microwaveable bowl, add caramels and heavy cream.

~Microwave until caramels are melted, stirring every 30 seconds.

~Drizzle caramel over top of frosting.

~Sprinkle lightly with flakey sea salt (optional).