Watch-Out-I-Need-Chocolate-Now Decadent Brownie Bars

Today was one of those get-out-of-my-way, I-need-it-now, emergency-sugar-overload kind of moments where I’m surprised I had enough restraint to skip the bakery and make something at home. Trust me, you do not want to mess with a girl and her dessert.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m fully aware of all the tips for practicing self control: “If you desire something sweet, have a piece of fruit.” “Instead of treats, go for a walk to distract yourself from raiding the kitchen.”

But do you want to know what I do when I’m craving chocolate?

I get myself some friggen chocolate!

With a friend-filled, 3-day weekend on the horizon, I really just felt like baking in a go big or go home kind of way. I rationalized my intentions by telling myself these were to share with everybody, but my real motivation was because I was in the mood for decadence like it was nobody’s business.

Initially I had visions of preparing scratch baked brownies with homemade dulce de leche, but I was barely patient enough to wait for the oven to preheat, never mind stand over the stove for 4 hours making caramel.

So I modified my creation a bit, utilizing boxed mix for my fudgy squares. I topped the rich chewy base with a layer of sticky sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, crunchy hazelnuts and a sprinkle of sea salt for a contrasting melt in your mouth flavor explosion. They’re so delicious I almost hugged myself.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to ‘taste testing’ before I offer them to anyone else.

Ingredients:

1 box fudge brownie mix (plus eggs, water & oil per instructions)

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 chopped hazelnuts

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

Bake brownies according to box directions.

Lick batter when necessary. (Always)

While brownies are still warm, pour a can of sweetened condensed milk over the top.

Cover with chocolate chips

And hazelnuts.

Finish with sea salt.

Refrigerate about 20 minutes. If using a glass dish, cool at room temp before placing in the fridge so it doesn’t explode from temperature shock.

Cut into squares and serve yourself….Okay, fine, share with friends.

Eat and enjoy indulgence at its finest.