We are definitely rushing headlong into the wonders of Christmas. With tinsel on every tree, ledge and mantle in your home and baubles of a multitude of colours glistening from every corner one cannot but in the festive mood.

The same goes for our palates, my freezer is already stuffed to the brim with Turkey legs and smoked chickens for the glorious feast of festive day. Scrolling through old cookbooks I scavenge for new and interesting desserts to treat the family with this year and a definite must try are these easy to make Brownie Bars.

With the right combination of chocolate and gooey delectable caramel these cake based brownies can be whipped up in a matter of hours and still satissy the unsatiable sweet tooth. Happy Holidays!

Ingredients

1 box of chocolate cake mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup each of white chips, milk chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips (slabs can also be broken)
* Optional 1 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup butter
32 unwrapped caramels
1 (14oz.) can of sweetened condensed milk

Directions

First of all preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Then Grease a 9 inch by 13 inch pan. In a separate bowl combine cake mix, oil and eggs.

Blend well and stir in all of the chips and chopped nuts. This mixture will be very thick.

Then pour half of the mixture into bottom of pan into a very thin layer.

Bake for 10 minutes and then remove from oven.
 

While this is baking, in a medium saucepan, combine butter, caramels and condensed milk and stir constantly, while cooking over low to medium heat. Do this until it is all melted and smooth.

Spread caramel over partially baked cake mixture.

Top with remaining cake and chip mixture . It will not completely cover, but you can press the mixture flat with your fingers and lay it in small sections over the caramel.

Bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 20 minutes.

Run knife around edges.

Cool completely before cutting.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe