AKA Nutty Coconut Caramel Brownies.
The kids went back to school this Tuesday. With a sigh of relief and a sniff of remorse, I watched them walk timidly into their classrooms.
My daughter is in third grade and my little guy is in first grade this year. Thus far we’ve had wonderful teachers, but I have to admit, it’s nerve-racking placing my “legacy” in the care of someone else for nine months of the year.
Will the teachers create a safe haven for them everyday, free of shame, ridicule, and fear?
Will they make their lessons come alive and encourage their love for learning?
Will they be patient with them when they struggle with a concept?
Will they be an advocate against bullies on the playground?
Will they provide discipline, yet celebrate creativity?
If an “accident” occurs, will the teacher offer the Emergency Pants without a smirk?
When they are naughty, will the teachers correct them firmly, yet with tenderness?
Will they appreciate their weird sense(s) of humor?
…I think yes. I have a really good feeling about this year.
But just to be sure, I secretly plan to bribe those teachers. No mother is above bribing people on behalf of her babies.
Trust me, if anything could do it, it’s these Nutty Coconut Caramel Brownies. Rich, dense and fudgy brownies with a creamy dulce de leche caramel top and crispy coconut, toasted almonds, and chocolate chunks.
Those teachers will be putty in my hands. *wink*
You can find dulce de leche (thick creamy caramel) in the packaged milk section of the baking aisle, or sometimes in the “international” section. If you can’t find it, it’s easy to make using sweetened condensed milk. Simply remove the paper wrappers, submerge the cans in a large pot of water and simmer for 4 hours. It MUST stay under water the entire time; add water if needed. This takes a while, so boil several at once and place them in the pantry for future baking endeavors.
Recipe: Nutty Coconut Caramel Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 Tb. vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 12 oz. bag dark chocolate chunks, divided
- 2 – 14 oz. cans dulce de leche (Nestle)
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Set the oven racks in the center and upper positions. Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave, then add the sugar and mix well.
- Add the cocoa powder, flour, salt and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Then whisk in one egg at a time, until well combined.
- Measure out ½ cup chocolate chunks and reserve for later. Mix in the rest of the chocolate chunks and pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake on the center rack for approximately 20-25 minutes—until the center is set.
- Take the brownies out of the oven and reset the temperature to 400 degrees F.
- GENTLY spread the dulce de leche evenly over the top, being careful not to disturb the brownie crust.
- Sprinkle the coconut, almonds and remaining chocolate chunks over the top and press a little.
- Place on the top rack of the oven to toast the coconut and almonds for 2-5 minutes—Watch it so the coconut doesn’t burn.
- Cool completely, so the caramel sets. Cut and serve.
Preparation time: 15 minute(s)
Cooking time: 30 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 12 – 24
YUM!
I’m sure those teachers will do anything you want now! These brownies look fantastic!!
Beautiful children you have Sommer! And the brownies are absolute bliss, you should have no trouble bribing those teachers!
WOW! Sommer I wish I was your childrens teacher. I would kill for these (well not literally).
I hope you daughter and son have a wonderful school year.
Yummy! I want one.
Hmm…this post came a bit late..else would have bribed the teachers of my kids as well
I like the line “placing my “legacy” in the care of someone else for nine months of the year’! Love the indulging brownies.
thats adorable!
Whoa, lucky teachers-I would gladly take this kind of bribe. Decadent, rich and utterly indulgent. That gets my vote-yum!
Hi Sommer, I also try to bribe the teachers with home baked goodies. Will be a little harder with my freshman, since parents are not that involved anymore (sadly).
Your kids are so cute! Who wouldn’t want them bringing in these delicious looking brownies? Great pictures!
Hugs from Colorado, Kirsten.
lovely post delicious looking brownies
I love the coconut and almonds on the top.
What a brownie! A lovely special treat for your little ones’ teachers. I know how hard it is to place them in the hands of someone else for the whole long day. And how good it feels to wrap your arms around them again when they come home.
I’m sure with your gorgeous sweet babies those teachers won’t need bribing. But if they did, those brownies would definitely fit the bill. And thanks for the dulche de leche tip. I’m stealing that idea.
Gorgeous pictures and those brownies are sure to win their teacher’s hearts!
These look so deliciously gooey! I wish people would bring stuff in like this to win over the accountant (read: me!).
WOW, these have all of my favorite things inside!!! I will be making these tonight!!
Yeah, you could pretty much bribe me to do anything for some of those!
Holy yummmmmmers! Bribe me, go ahead, I’ll do anything for your brownies… Oh I am so ready to swap brownies with you!!
Gorgeous and I wish I had a dozen right now! Yum!
You could bribe me with those any day! Delish!
Delectable! You have me at coconut brownies!
These are gorgeous, what amazing pictures! Plus, who could resist a brownie with that name? I’m not even a teacher and I’m sold!
Mmm, those look great. I’ve made brownies with caramel and pecan and some with coconut/almonds but never combined the two and it sounds great!
oh my goodness! I’m over the school days, but I think I know a few people I can bribe with these!!
These look incredible!! I feel the need to rush into the kitchen and whip up a batch of these right now! Yummy!
Holy moly these look dangerously good!I think these would successfully bribe a top judge let alone a teacher! Great recipe
Yum!! That looks delicious! haha I hope they ‘sweeten’ the school year.
Oh, the teachers must love you!!! What a sweet and yummy gesture. And your children are adorable
I wish I was a teacher! I am sooo making these!
These look so delicious-can’t wait to try them! Glad we have different teachers than ya’ll, though I don’t think anyone would mind having a double portion of these!
This combines some of my favorite things! They sound soo delish!
Bribe the teacher indeed! These look scrumptious!
I think you could bribe just about anyone with these brownies. They look delicious. I am drooling!
Very cute kids and post!
Forget the kids, forget the teacher, I want these!
Love this – I always have coconut on hand and this looks like a very yummy way to use it!
How about you switch schools & I can teach your kids. Beautiful pictures, and I am sure that your kids’ teachers will have their back and they will have a great year – wonderful parents like you help your kids to succeed!!
Ha ha.. I’m gonna prepare this wonderful stuff for my kid’s teacher and pals. Nice kids you’ve got in the photo.
I’m a teacher, and this would TOTALLY work for me–especially with the sweet note…
Why didn’t I think to bribe the teacher! My son is in 1st grade this year, he just started Wed. So exciting, yes so sad all at the same time!
These are the ultimate bribe for teachers, but feel free to bribe me with them too
Your kids are adorable!
Oh, heck with bribing the teachers (though that’s a wonderful idea I will definitely keep in mind hehe). I want someone to make these for ME! Sigh… I forgot… I’m the only one in the house that cooks. SO I’ll make these for me and not share
Sneaky! I love it
It will totally work too. These brownies sound incredible! Buzzed
By the way…I also have emergency pants
wowza – these look incredible! and i’ve heard of making dulce de leche like that, but have never tried it.
sweet sweet putty in your hands, lol
who could resist?
Your kids (who are adorable, by the way) have the luckiest teachers in the world! I would be easily bribed by these gorgeous brownies. All of those same fears run through my head, too. Our children are so precious and it takes a leap of faith to put them in their teachers’ hands.
oh, wow, what a scrumptious looking brownie! thanks, Spicy!
almost forgot…thanks for sharing the pic of your legacy–they look too cute in their uniforms, just adorable!!
These look so delicious. You could bribe anyone with them!
Your pictures just POP! Great recipe too
And…saw your blog recommended in cyber world by a couple other bloggers this week, just thought you’d want to know. Keep up the great work!
Your children are beautiful! They look so happy – I remember the days
Just found out I’m going to be a grandmother! My 23 year old daughter is expecting her first – so here it goes again! Back to the beginning with toys, preschool, school events and sports – can’t wait! I’ll have to remember these to bribe teachers and coaches when the time is right. Hope they have a blessed school year and fantastic teachers.
Those look wonderful! Since I homeschool I’m wondering if I leave the recipe on the counter maybe my kids would bribe me!
Bribe the teacher? Oh, you’re too funny. But looking at those gorgeous brownies, I think it just may work!
Oh wow! I’m sure they taste even better than they look and they look absolutely fantastic!!!!
What a buzzworthy post. I think the brownies will go over very well. Aside from the recipe I love the sentiment behind the post
wow ! how not toe be special- coconut, cocoa, chocolate and almonds. it sure can bribe me too
a must try- the image looks so gourmet. of gourmet standard. congrats. have a great weekend from me, wan of malaysia. do visit my blog too, would love to read a comment from you also,.
Good looking brownie & great story u share… haha ha!
Tq for sharing the recipe with us!
Umm yeah, I’d say that these should do the trick! How could you even let them out of the house though lol They definitely look incredibly delicious =)
Oh my, what a delightful recipe, they look yummy, I wish I was your childrens teacher! I will be making these tomorrow. I love the way you write your articles very refreshing and warm.
I think these brownies will do the trick!
PS: Your kids are darling!
I’m salivating here.
You could probably win ANYONE over with those. me included.
I’m so glad I’ve come across your website. Some true gems like these brownies here. My 2 1/2 year old starts nursery in September and although currently, I CANNOT WAIT, I’m sure I’ll be remorseful come time!
If these don’t work I’m not sure WHAT will! xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com
Aww, that “I luv you teacher” bit made me smile. Those brownies look soooo heavenly… sigh… Thanks for sharing!
Wow, those have all of my favorite elements. They look FANTASTIC! I thought I had a favorite brownie recipe, but it may be in jeopardy….
These look so yummy. Great name, just loving this post. Congrats on top 9.
I am a teacher! If I received these brownies I would consider myself effectively bribed! They look amazing.
These brownies sounds amazing, loving the topping with dulce de leche. Your kids are adorable!
Such precious children! Their teachers will love them (and as a former teacher…those brownies will do wonders!) Thank you for sharing with me, my friend. I hope you are having a lovely and relaxing Sunday afternoon. I’m about to bake some blueberry and cream cookies. Much love and many blessings from Austin!
The layers in these sound amazing! As a teacher (of high schoolers, many of whom have parents no longer interested in being involved in their education), I can tell you these would definitely be appreciated
I am totally pro bribing people with baked goods…it’s just the right thing to do! You could totally win me over with these…too bad I’m not a teacher!
I plan on bribing teachers this year too….It’s hard though because we’re not “allowed” to bring in store bought treats. I’m definitely not bribing anyone with something bought from the store so I’m going to take my chances and make something anyway, it’s a gamble, but I think it will work out in my kid’s favor.
I’m a teacher. They would work on me.
Awesome tip about the homemade dulce de leche!
I LOVE the title of this post and such a great idea to bribe the teachers tho your kids are sooooo cute it probably isn’t necessary
I hope the year is a great one for them and that their teachers prove worthy of these brownies and your faith in them.
You are going to be the death of me Sommer! Those look positively sinful. I definitely want to try making my own dulce de leche…that is an awesome trick!!!
If those brownies don’t do the trick I don’t know what would! Your kids are so cute Sommer. I love their blue shirts in the pics.
Thanks Sommer!!! Can’t wait to make these and bribe the teacher & the rest of the staff
Thank you Sommer for this amazing recipe.
I translated it in French – and converted to metric system – for my own blog (with a link to yours, of course!)
Dulce de leche is probably easier to find in France than in the US (we call it “confiture de lait”) ; yet I love all the “do-it-yourself” stuff, so I used your tip : just parfect!
Again, thank you!
Oops, I meant “perfect”.
Hope your cute kids are doing well at school!
Amazing! I was feeling a little lazy so used packaged brownie mix as the base but they were a big hit last night at dinner with friends. Posted a picture of my finished product on my blog with a link to yours.
Cheers!
A prego woman really shouldn’t be looking at this site… I now want to eat everything on here!! These brownies look amazing. Will be coming back to check out more recipes!
I made these last week and they were so amazing! I’m going to have a write-up on my blog about them this weekend, but basically they turned out perfect. The blend of flavors was amazing and the coconut wasn’t overpowering.