Cashew Topped Lemon Brownie Food

CARAMEL-CASHEW BROWNIES

Steps:

• Make the brownies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line an 8-inch square baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil, making sure to cover the corners and sides. Lightly butter the aluminum foil, including corners and sides.
• In the bowl of a double boiler set over simmering water, combine the butter and chopped unsweetened chocolate. Stirring often, heat until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar and salt. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir until well blended. Fold in the sifted flour and stir just until the flour disappears. Stir in the semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chunks.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Bake approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time will be longer if you are using a metal pan. Do not overbake. Transfer the dish to a wire rack and cool completely.
• Make the Carmel-Cashew Topping: Pour the cream into the bowl of a double boiler set over simmering water. Unwrap caramels and put them into the bowl. Stirring frequently to prevent sticking, combine the cream and caramels until the mixture becomes homogeneous and smooth. Take the mixture off the heat and keep stirring until the caramel becomes a little thicker and the mixture begins to cool down. Add a pinch of salt and the vanilla and stir. Coarsely chop the cashews and fold them into the caramel mixture until nuts are completely coated with caramel. Pour mixture over the top of the cooled brownies and spread evenly.
• Refrigerate the brownies until the caramel is set, about 30 to 45 minutes. Remove brownies from the pan by grabbing the sides of the aluminum foil and lifting them from the pan. With a serrated knife, cut the brownies into 2-inch squares. These can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days or in a covered container in the refrigerator for 4 days.

CASHEW-CARAMEL BROWNIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line 9-inch square pan with foil, allowing some to hang over edges of pan. Grease bottom and sides of foil with shortening or cooking spray.
• Make brownie batter as directed on box for cakelike brownies. Stir in 1/3 cup of the chopped cashews and the chopped candy bar. Spread in pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup cashews evenly over batter.
• Bake 28 to 33 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 1/2 hours. Using foil to lift, remove brownies from pan, and peel foil away. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

CASHEW-TOPPED LEMON BROWNIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a bowl. Beat sugar, oil, egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest together in another bowl. Add flour mixture to oil mixture and stir gently until batter is combined. Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle cashews over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and set, 20 to 25 minutes. Cut into squares and garnish with strawberries.