Black Sesame Salted Caramel Brownie Bars

Ingredients

Chocolate brownie

• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
• 4 oz (115 g) dark chocolate, chopped
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (20 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp fine salt

Sesame swirl and finish

• ¼ cup (60 g) unsweetened black sesame paste, stirred smooth
• 2 tbsp (25 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• ¼ cup prepared caramel sauce
• 1 tsp toasted black sesame seeds
• ⅛ tsp flaky sea salt

Equipment

8-inch square metal pan, parchment, mixing bowls, saucepan

Allergens: Wheat, eggs, milk, sesame; check chocolate and caramel labels.

Step by step

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the pan with parchment, leaving an overhang. Melt the butter and dark chocolate together over low heat, stirring. Remove from the heat and cool for 5 minutes.
2. Whisk the ¾ cup sugar into the chocolate mixture, then add the eggs one at a time and the vanilla. Sift in the flour, cocoa, and fine salt. Fold just until no dry flour remains, then spread into the pan.
3. Mix the black sesame paste with the separate 2 tbsp sugar and milk. Spoon nine small dollops over the batter. Draw a knife through the dollops in shallow loops; keep some dark swirls visible.
4. Bake for 25–32 minutes, until the edges are set and a toothpick in the brownie portion comes out with moist crumbs, not liquid batter. Check that the center reaches 160°F (71°C). Cool in the pan on a rack for at least 1 hour before lifting and slicing into nine bars.
5. Warm the prepared caramel just until pourable. Divide it over the bars, then sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds and flaky salt. The finish is a thin drizzle, rather than a thick frosting.

The Devotti twist: Black sesame adds roasted depth to the chocolate; the caramel stays on top so the brownie texture remains distinct.

Make ahead and storage

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Image: AI-generated recipe illustration; homemade results and presentation will vary.