HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
I woke up extra early and super hyper this morning being that it is my birthday and all.
My husband wished me Happy Birthday and said, “you look 17!” I was actually happy, but I also know that isn’t true. Of course 5 minutes after my hyper-ness he said, “why are you up so early? Go back to bed.”
As I brushed my teeth this morning, I looked in the mirror searching for wrinkles around my eyes – it is an inevitable part of life. Although I was relieved not to find any major wrinkles, I couldn’t help but notice all those fine lines around my eyes.
I cringed and thought to myself, “Why wasn’t there a less invasive way to stop the aging process?” If scientists were able to go to the moon and back, find cures for most diseases, multiply food by adding growth hormones to everything we eat, why haven’t they invented a potion that will stop the aging process?
Contrary to my age telling me I’m getting older, I do feel young in my heart, mind, and spirit, while others may argue I haven’t grown up. I guess you look as old as you feel and for me age is just a number, and thus I choose to be 27 for life!
Apart from the superficial thoughts I just shared with you, I am really excited about my day and week of festivities. Tonight my husband is surprising me with dinner plans in NYC, and I can’t wait to see what cuisine he has in store for us. It’s all too exciting for me. 
My birthday festivities began last night as I baked these sinfully sensational Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies by using less butter and less sugar than the average recipe, regardless though, these brownies are still sinfully delicious. I figured it was a day to celebrate so I went over the edge.
Without further ado, here are those Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies you have been drooling over.
NUTRITION: Pecans contain natural antioxidants and are heart-healthy nuts known to lower cholesterol. Bittersweet Chocolate also contain a good amount of fat, however they contain antioxidants.
MODIFICATIONS I MADE:
- I used David Lebovitz Absolute Best Brownies recipe as a base and tweaked it quite a bit.
- I lowered the sugar and chocolate amounts in the brownie portion of the recipe.
- I added a caramel sauce and made it by using Low Fat 1% Milk, you really don’t need heavy cream if you are looking to trim fat. I’m sure there is a difference, but too little to even notice.
APPROXIMATE NUTRITION PER SERVING (yields 16 squares)
- Calories: 243 cals
- Fat: 15.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbs: 36 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Fiber: 1.25 g
SALTED CARAMEL PECAN BROWNIES (slightly inspired by David Lebovitz’ Absolute Best Brownies)
~ yields 16 squares @ 350 degrees using a 8″ x 8″ baking tray
~ fat and calories were not reduced, however compared to other Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies, this recipe has less fat and tastes unbelievably good.
INGREDIENTS
~ yields 16 squares @ 350 degrees using a 8″ x 8″ baking tray
~ fat and calories were not reduced, however compared to other Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies, this recipe has less fat and tastes unbelievably good.
INGREDIENTS
for Brownies:
- Unsalted Butter – 6 tbsp
- Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
– 1/2 cup (or 4 ounces) - Sugar – 1/2 cup
- Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp
- Eggs – 2 large (1 at a time)
- All Purpose White Flour – 1/2 cup
- Pecans – 1 cup (chopped – use 1/2 cup at a time)
– 1/2 cup (or 4 ounces) for Reduced Fat Salted Caramel Sauce:
- Unsalted Butter – 4 tbsp
- Dark Brown Sugar – 1 cup
- Low Fat 1% Milk – 1/4 cup
- Salt – 1 tsp (YES, 1 teaspoon of salt, hence the salted flavor)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Grease an 8×8 baking dish and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. Grease an 8×8 baking dish and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat 6 tbsp of butter and chocolate chips on medium heat until melted. Keep stirring.
3. Remove from the heat and add sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
4. Once the batter is slightly cool, add the egg one at a time. If the chocolate batter is too hot the egg will scramble.
5. Mix well using a spoon. Add the other egg and mix well.
6. Add the flour.
7. Mix, but do not ovemix. This is what you should have.
8. Chop 1 cup of pecans.
9. Add only 1/2 the pecans to the batter. Mix.
10. Pour the brownie batter into the baking dish.
MAKE THE SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE
11. On medium heat add 4 tbsp of butter and dark brown sugar.
12. Keep mixing until the butter and sugar melt through.
13. The mix will be grainy and thicken up. Keep mixing and allow the mixture to boil vigourously.
14. Remove from the heat, this is what you should have.
15. Immediately add 1/4 cup of low fat milk. Mix.
16. Add 1 tsp of salt. Don’t worry about those little bits… that is the result of using low fat milk. Mix.
17. Carefully pour the caramel sauce over the brownie batter. Be very very careful if you decide to taste the caramel sauce, I sorta burned my tongue.
18. Now swirl, keep swirling until the brownie batter and caramel sauce are combined.
19. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of pecans.
20. Into the oven for 35 minutes, check about 10 minutes prior.
21. Voila! Allow this to cool for 20 minutes before serving.
OVERALL RATING: 5 / 5 
This recipe is freakin’ delicious. My favorite combo is the sweet and salty combo and this dessert gives you just that. I’ve been wanting to make Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies using butterscotch chips, however I haven’t been successful in finding butterscotch chips without artificial ingredients. I am quite surprised how good these brownies tasted considering I used Low Fat Milk and reduced the sugar signinficantly. You really don’t need more fat than there already is in this recipe. I enjoyed this decadent dessert with a cup of tea without any extra added sugar. ENJOY!
TELL ME: How do you feel about getting older every year? Does the process of aging worry you?
Happy Happy Birthday! You definitely look fabulous for your age and such a vibrant person that , I'm looking forward to spending time with you your birthday week. This brownie looks so scrumptious, wish I was there to taste test it. Looking forward to trying out this recipe because, I loooove brownies.
Jhiane
Happy Birthday and you have a greatttt day and a week ahead!! I am going to try making this over the weekend for sure coz they look delicious….yummmmm!!
happy birthday! (:(:(:
this recipe looks insanely delicious, you did a great job with the photos. can't wait to try it!!