Simple Sinful Caramel Brownies Made With Cake Mix

Name: Simple Sinful Caramel Brownies Made With Cake Mix
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 15.25 ounce Betty Crocker German Chocolate cake mix; 1/3 cup evaporated milk; 2/3 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled (11 tablespoons); 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup evaporated milk; 60 about 1 pound Kraft caramels, unwrapped

4.25 / 5 ( 4 Reviews )

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These caramel brownies (also known as sinful brownies) are made simply from cake mix, but they taste so good you'd think they're homemade.

Cathy Yoder Published on November 28, 2025 The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

Sinful Brownies Recipe (Gooey Caramel Brownies)

Stack of caramel brownies

The Ultimate Brownie for Caramel Lovers!

This Sinful Brownies recipe keeps things nice and simple with the use of a cake mix and store-bought caramels. Yay for simple! Don’t let the simplicity of this recipe fool you though, these caramel brownies taste amazing. No one will ever guess they were made from a cake mix!

These brownies have been a reader favorite for years because they’re ultra-gooey, rich, and totally decadent. Layers of chocolate, caramel, and more chocolate… it’s easy to see why they earned the name “Sinful Brownies.”

Even though it is really quite easy to whip up these brownies, you do still need to plan ahead for the cooling and refrigeration time. Make them the night before or the morning of so they have time to set and slice nicely.

Ingredients

Ingredients for cake mix caramel brownies

You can use other chocolate cake mixes, but German chocolate cake mix (find some here) is the best option for this recipe. I use the Betty Crocker brand, but Duncan Hines is a popular one as well.

Making the Brownie Batter

Dry cake mix in mixing bowl with evaporated milk and melted butter
Mixed brownie batter

To start off, just mix the 4 brownie ingredients together until it combines into a thick batter, similar to cookie dough. Easy peasy.

If you’d like to add chopped pecans to the brownies, use ½ cup finely chopped and just mix it in with the brownie batter.

Layer #1

First brownie layer in pan

Take half of your batter (put the other half in the fridge) and spread it into your prepared pan. I like to use a pan with a foil or parchment sling for easy removal.

Bake this layer for about 8 minutes, sprinkle chocolate chips over top, and then set aside for later.

Making the Caramel Filling

Caramels and evaporated milk in glass mixing bowl

There are two good ways to melt the caramels for these brownies: in the microwave or with a double boiler.

If you don’t have a double boiler, the microwave works great! Just be sure to microwave it in intervals (30 seconds works) and stir between each interval until smooth.

Note: For a smaller caramel layer, use ⅓ cup evaporated milk and 1 bag (11 oz) Kraft caramels (about 39 caramels).

Pouring caramel over brownie chocolate chip layer

Once your caramel is ready, pour it over the brownie chocolate chip layer you just made, as pictured above.

If you enjoy learning the “why” behind perfect brownies, you might like the baking science and tips shared over on King Arthur Baking’s brownie and bar guides—they have great info on texture, doneness, and more.

Topping Things Off

Top layer of brownie over caramel filling

I chose to use the method from the cheesecake chocolate chip bars to make the top brownie layer.

Just take small amounts, around a tablespoon or two in size, and flatten it in your hands. Then place each disc of batter on top of the caramel layer until the top is covered and the batter is used up (holes are okay).

Caramel brownies with cake mix

Final Thoughts

I love eating these Sinful Brownies chilled because the chilled chocolate chips add a nice texture! The caramel is a little less messy that way too. However, they are still very delicious at room temperature.

For more sweetness, you could also sift a 1/4 cup of powdered sugar over the top before serving, but these are already so sweet, I just figured I didn’t need it. Let me know if I’m missing out!

Note: I have made these in an 8×8 pan as well, but I much prefer the thickness of these caramel brownies baked in the 9×9. If you’re a real brownie-lover, you should probably invest in a 9×9 pan anyway!

German chocolate brownies

Sinful Brownies FAQ

Why are these called “Sinful Brownies”?

They’re incredibly rich, gooey, and decadent—layers of chocolate, caramel, and more chocolate. Once you taste them, the name makes perfect sense!

Can I make Sinful Brownies ahead of time?

Yes. These brownies actually get better as they sit. Make them the night before, chill them, and then slice before serving.

Do I have to use German chocolate cake mix?

German chocolate cake mix gives the best classic flavor, but you can use regular chocolate or devil’s food cake mix in a pinch. The texture will still be great.

Can I freeze these brownies?

Yes. Slice, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and enjoy chilled or at room temperature.

How do I get clean slices with all that caramel?

Let the brownies cool completely, then chill before cutting. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for the neatest slices.

More Brownie Recipes:

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Sinful brownies

Sinful Caramel Brownies Recipe