I went to university in Ohio. There are many things to love about my undergrad university. Its proximity to this amazing place called Dorothy Lane Market is one such thing. You see, Dorothy Lane Market is this gourmet grocery in Dayton. In addition to having an amazing selection of high quality grocery items, Dorothy Lane Market has this bakery, this fantastic bakery that surpasses all other grocery store bakeries by leaps and bounds and rivals the best standalone bakeries. Oh, Dorothy Lane Market, how I love thee! How I miss living only an hour away from thee!
Dorothy Lane Market is known for their brownies, their registered trademark Killer Brownies. Full disclosure, I have never actually had the Original Killer Brownie because, well, it has nuts, and nuts and I do not mix. But I have had their "Not a Nutter" Killer Brownie, and it is sublime. Sublime. I was back in Ohio at the start of the year and dropped a good $20 on Killer Brownies to give to friends (and eat for myself). Pricey but so good and so worth it.
At first, I wasn't sure if I'd like Killer Brownies. I don't eat brownies that often, and when I do, usually they are on the fudgier side. Killer Brownies are definitely not fudgy. But they aren't exactly cakey. A layer of brownie topped with a layer of caramel topped with another layer of brownie, and somehow, it all comes together to form this absolutely perfect confection that is best consumed in tiny squares because of all the rich goodness.
As I no longer live within an hour of these most perfect brownies, I was excited to discover that Ree, the Pioneer Woman, fell victim to the Killer Brownie and decided to recreate them at home. This recipe is similar to my beloved Killer Brownies, but the original is still the best, so if you are so inclined, go to Dayton or order them online. Otherwise, give this recipe a try.
Although I usually shy away from box mixes, I didn't want to waste 60 caramels only to find out that a completely from scratch recipe didn't work. So box mix it is. Maybe in the future I'll be braver.