MOTHER LODE BROWNIES (MRS FIELD'S COOKBOOK)

Steps:

• preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• grease and flour a 9x9 baking pan.
• make the brownie layer: in a small bowl, combine the flour and baking soda.
• in a double boiler, melt the unsweetened chocolate and the semisweet chocolate with the butter, stir until smooth and set aside to cool slightly.
• in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar and eggs until lightened and pale in coclor.
• beat in the cooled chocolate mixuted and the vanilla.
• gradually beat in the flour mixture.
• pour the batter into the prepared pan, bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until the center is set but still moist and a bit fudgy.
• cool in the pan on a wire rack.
• prepare the caramel leayer: in a small, heavy saucepan, dissolve hte sugar in the water over low heat, stirring cosntantly.
• bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then let boil without stirring until the syrup turn sa deep amber.
• while the syrup is boiling, brush down the sides of thep an from time to time with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming.
• remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the hot cream (be careful it will bubble rapidly).
• continue stirring over low heat if necessary, until all of the caramel is dissolved into the cream.
• stir in the butter until smooth.
• set the caramel aside until it has cooled slightly but is still spreadable.
• Assemble: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• spread the caramel over the cooled brownies.
• sprinkle the toppings over hte caramel layer and place the brownies in the oven for 5 minutes to set the toppings (to not let the chips melt completely).
• set on a wire rack to cool, then cut into squares.