Chocolate Apple Brownies with Dulce de Leche Frosting

I found this recipe at bhg.com, and knew I had to make it because what a combination of flavors!  The brownies were a little problematic, so I had to make some changes on the fly, and although it was sketchy there for a while, they turned out amazing!  I totally thought that these were going to be a major fail, but I my family loved them!  Apparently, salvaged them okay.  This fudgy brownie is studded with bits of tart apple and topped off with a deliciously rich and gooey dulce de leche frosting.  

Chocolate Apple Brownies with Dulce de Leche Frosting

Brownies:

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups finely chopped, peeled cooking apples (about 2 small apples)

Dulce de Leche Frosting:

1/2 of a 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

2 Tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease a 9x9 inch square baking pan.

Place the butter and chocolate chips in a large microwaveable bowl.  Heat in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until chocolate is melted and smooth.  Add the sugar, baking soda, and salt, and beat until combined.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla until incorporated.  Add the flour and beat on low until just combined.  Stir in the chopped apples.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.  Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.  Remove brownies from the oven and prepare the frosting.

For the frosting, combine the sweetened condensed milk and butter in a small saucepan.  Heat over medium heat until mixture starts to boil.  Continue cooking, stirring constantly until the mixture has thickened and darkened slightly in color.  Remove the frosting from the heat and stir in the vanilla.  Immediately pour the frosting over the warm brownies and spread evenly.  Cool completely before cutting.  Makes 16 brownies.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy