This dessert is the most decadent brownie you will ever taste. The brownies are fudgy with a buttery caramel sauce sitting on a sweet and salty shortbread crust.
Shortbread Crust:
1-12 oz. pkg. shortbread cookies, finely ground
6 T. butter, melted
Brownies:
1 box brownie mix, plus listed ingredients on box's directions
1/4 c. hot fudge topping
Caramel Layer:
1-14 oz. bag caramels, unwrapped
2 T. water or heavy cream
Chocolate:
1/2 pkg. milk chocolate almond bark
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with foil, extending over the sides of the pan. Spray with cooking spray, set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine cookie crumbs with the butter until fully combined. Press mixture into the bottom of the pan to form your crust. Set aside.
In a large bowl, prepare brownie mix following package directions. Stir 1/4 cup hot fudge sauce in the brownie batter. Pour brownie batter on top of the crust, spread to even out.
Bake 25-29 minutes, or as directed on the back of the box. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out clean. Cool completely.
Melt caramels and your choice of water or cream in a microwave-safe bowl for one minute. Stir, then heat for additional 30 second-increments, stir, and keep heating until melted. When smooth, pour on the cooled brownies, spread gently. Refrigerate about 15 minutes while melting almond bark.
Spread melted chocolate almond bark over caramel layer. Keep brownie bars in the fridge or freezer, about 20 minutes, or until hardened.