Brownies with Dulce De Leche-Salted Peanut Frosting

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 3 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1/3 cup dulce de leche
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/2 cup chopped, lightly salted peanuts

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk the granulated sugar with the brown sugar, then whisk in the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir with a wooden spoon until everything is evenly dampened. Add the eggs, followed by the egg yolk and vanilla, and mix to combine. Scrape the batter into a buttered 8 by 8-inch baking dish, smoothing it out evenly. Bake for 28 – 32 minutes, just until a toothpick shows no wet batter. Cool the brownies completely.
2. For the Dulce de Leche-Salted Peanut Frosting: Set a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the butter, milk and light brown sugar to a boil, stirring often. Boil the mixture for 1 minute, then take it off the heat and stir in the dulce de leche and vanilla. Add the powdered sugar and whisk until the frosting is smooth and combined. Stir in the peanuts, then pour the frosting over the cooled brownies and smooth it into an even layer. Move the pan to the refrigerator, or leave it at room temperature, until the frosting sets; cut into squares and store in an airtight container.