Irresistible Kit Kat Butterscotch Brownies: The Ultimate Fudgy Dessert Recipe
There’s a special place in my heart for brownies, and if I had to pick an all-time favorite dessert, these fudgy delights would undoubtedly be it. And when I say fudgy, I mean the kind that melts in your mouth, rich and dense with an intense chocolate flavor. This particular recipe for Kit Kat Butterscotch Brownies had been lingering in my “must-make” list for quite some time. I had actually pinned it ages ago, but like many great finds, it slipped my mind until a friend, who originally discovered it through my pin, made them herself and enthusiastically raved about them on social media. Her post immediately brought this incredible recipe back to the forefront of my mind, and I knew I had to find an excuse – any excuse – to bake them.
The universe provided the perfect occasion: a girls’ weekend getaway in Denver a couple of weeks ago. What better way to fuel laughter, wine, and games in a hotel room than with a batch of truly killer brownies? These aren’t just any brownies; they’re an indulgent masterpiece. We start with a deeply fudgy brownie layer, generously studded with crunchy Kit Kat bars, and then crown it all with a smooth, sweet butterscotch topping. It might sound a little over-the-top, but trust me, every single bite is pure bliss. It’s a decadent combination that delivers on all fronts: rich chocolate, crisp wafer, and creamy butterscotch, making for an unforgettable dessert experience. The sheer delight these brownies brought to our gathering was proof enough of their exceptional deliciousness.
Crafting the Perfect Fudgy Brownie Base
The foundation of any truly great brownie is its texture, and these Kit Kat Butterscotch Brownies truly excel in the fudgy department. Achieving that perfect dense, moist, and chewy consistency isn’t just about the ingredients; it’s also about understanding the science behind baking. We begin by combining melted butter with unsweetened cocoa powder. This initial step is critical as it creates a rich, intense chocolate base that will become the signature flavor of our brownies. The melted butter ensures a uniform distribution of fat throughout the batter, which is key to that ultimate fudginess we all crave.
After this chocolate base is thoroughly combined, we incorporate the eggs and granulated sugar. The eggs are essential for structure, binding the ingredients together and contributing to the chewy texture. The sugar, besides adding sweetness, plays a vital role in keeping the brownies wonderfully moist, preventing them from drying out during baking. Once these wet ingredients are well-blended, the all-purpose flour is gently stirred in. The key here is not to overmix. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tougher, more cake-like brownie. For a truly fudgy brownie, we want just enough mixing to combine the ingredients without creating excess air or developing the gluten beyond what’s necessary. This meticulous approach to the brownie base is what makes this recipe stand out, consistently delivering a perfectly rich and chewy texture that melts in your mouth with every bite. The girls absolutely adored these brownies, confirming that this base recipe might just be my new go-to for all future brownie endeavors.
The Irresistible Crunch of Kit Kats
What truly sets these brownies apart, beyond their incredible fudgy texture, is the delightful surprise of Kit Kat bars baked right into the batter. As the brownies bake, the chocolate and crisp wafer layers of the Kit Kats soften slightly, creating delightful pockets of gooey chocolate and a subtle, satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the dense brownie. It’s a playful addition that elevates the dessert from a simple brownie to an extraordinary treat. Using fun-sized Kit Kats ensures that each serving gets a good amount of candy bar goodness distributed evenly throughout. This unexpected textural element adds another layer of enjoyment, making each bite an adventure.
Creative Candy Bar Variations for Your Brownies
If Kit Kat bars aren’t readily available, or if you simply want to experiment with different flavor profiles, feel free to get creative with your candy choices! Given that many of us often have leftover candy from holidays like Halloween, this recipe provides a fantastic opportunity to use up those treats in a delicious and innovative way. I think candy bars like Snickers, with their chewy caramel and nougat, Twix, with their crisp cookie and caramel, or even Butterfinger, with their nutty, crunchy texture, would be absolutely fantastic substitutes. Each would add its own unique twist to these already phenomenal brownies. Simply unwrap your chosen candy bars and press them into the brownie batter before baking, just as you would with the Kit Kats. The key is to choose a candy that offers a textural contrast or a complementary flavor profile to the rich chocolate brownie and sweet butterscotch topping. Don’t be afraid to experiment and discover your own favorite combination – the possibilities are truly endless when it comes to customizing these decadent treats!
Perfecting the Luscious Butterscotch Topping
As if a fudgy brownie packed with Kit Kats wasn’t enough, we take these brownies to the next level with a luscious butterscotch topping. This golden, shimmering layer adds a wonderfully sweet, caramel-like flavor that perfectly complements the deep chocolate of the brownie and the crispy Kit Kats. The rich butterscotch provides a smooth, creamy contrast to the chewy brownie beneath, creating a symphony of textures and tastes. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make. Simply melt a package of butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl until smooth and pourable. This creates a glossy, irresistible topping that hardens slightly as it cools, providing a delightful, firm texture on top of the soft brownie. For an extra touch of visual appeal and a hint of additional chocolatey goodness, a generous sprinkle of chocolate sprinkles is added right after pouring the butterscotch. These small details contribute to the overall indulgence and make these brownies truly special, transforming them into a show-stopping dessert.
Essential Tips for Baking Success
To ensure your Kit Kat Butterscotch Brownies turn out perfectly every time, achieving that ideal fudgy texture and delicious flavor, here are a few key baking tips and tricks:
- Proper Pan Preparation is Crucial: Always start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C) as indicated. Lining your 8-inch baking pan with foil is an absolute must; it not only makes for significantly easier cleanup but also allows you to effortlessly lift the entire batch of cooled brownies out of the pan, which simplifies the cutting process. Don’t forget to generously spray the foil with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent any sticking, ensuring your brownies release cleanly.
- Mixing for Optimal Fudginess: When combining the melted butter and cocoa powder, mix them until they are just smooth and uniformly blended, creating a rich chocolate base. Then, when adding the eggs and sugar, beat them well together to incorporate some air, which contributes to the brownie’s desirable chewiness. However, a critical step for fudgy brownies is when you stir in the flour: mix only until no dry streaks of flour remain. Overmixing the flour can develop too much gluten, resulting in a tougher, more cake-like brownie, rather than the dense, fudgy texture we are aiming for.
- The “Mostly Clean” Doneness Test: Bake the brownies for approximately 25 minutes. The crucial test for fudgy brownies is that a tester (like a toothpick or a thin knife) inserted into the center should come out *mostly* clean. This means it should have a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter. If the tester comes out completely clean and dry, your brownies might be slightly overbaked and less fudgy. If it comes out with wet batter, they clearly need a few more minutes in the oven. Err on the side of slightly underbaked for maximum fudginess.
- Patience During Cooling is Key: Patience truly is a virtue, especially when it comes to cutting and topping fudgy brownies! After removing the brownies from the oven, allow them to cool completely in the pan before attempting to pour the butterscotch topping or cutting them into squares. This extended cooling time allows the brownies to set properly, intensify their fudgy texture, and prevents the warm butterscotch from simply melting and running into the warm brownie. Pouring melted butterscotch over warm brownies will result in a messy, liquid topping rather than a firm, distinct layer that sets beautifully.
- Versatile Serving Ideas: These Kit Kat Butterscotch Brownies are absolutely divine on their own, perhaps with a tall glass of cold milk or a freshly brewed cup of coffee. For an extra indulgent treat, consider serving them slightly warm with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream and an extra drizzle of melted butterscotch or even some chocolate syrup. They also make excellent additions to any dessert platter at parties, potlucks, or a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family. Their rich flavor and appealing appearance make them a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
I genuinely can’t wait to make this brownie recipe again. It’s quickly become a household favorite, proving that some recipes are truly keepers, destined to be made repeatedly. Whether you stick to the classic Kit Kat combination or get adventurous with other candy bars and toppings, these Kit Kat Butterscotch Brownies are guaranteed to be a showstopper. They perfectly combine everything you love about rich, fudgy brownies with unexpected crunch and a smooth, sweet finish. Prepare yourself for pure dessert perfection with every decadent bite!
Kit Kat Butterscotch Brownies
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 whole large eggs
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 12 Kit Kat Bars, (fun sized), unwrapped
- 1 11oz pkg butterscotch chips
- 1 Tablespoon chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Line an 8-inch baking pan with foil, and generously spray with non-stick cooking spray. This will ensure easy removal and cleanup.
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In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix until well combined and smooth. Add the eggs and granulated sugar, and mix thoroughly until well combined and slightly lightened. Stir in the all-purpose flour until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Press the unwrapped fun-sized Kit Kat bars into the batter, distributing them as evenly as possible. Bake for about 25 minutes. A tester inserted into the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
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In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butterscotch chips. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and completely melted. Pour the melted butterscotch over the completely cooled brownies, spreading it evenly. Immediately top with chocolate sprinkles for decoration and added texture. Allow the butterscotch topping to cool and set completely before slicing and serving. This may take an hour or two at room temperature, or you can speed it up by chilling in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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