A layered dessert in a jar that brings together rich brownies, silky caramel, crunchy milk chocolate, and cold vanilla ice cream. Each spoonful delivers contrasting textures and deep chocolate-caramel flavor, making it an impressive yet approachable dessert for entertaining or treating yourself.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dessert is easy to assemble but tastes like something from a high-end bakery. It combines warm, comforting flavors with cool and creamy elements, all portioned perfectly in individual jars. You can prepare most components ahead of time, it freezes well, and it’s completely peanut-free and nut-free, making it a great option for sharing.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Brownie layer
1 cup brownies, broken into large pieces (homemade or store-bought)

Ice cream layer
4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Creamy caramel layer
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup cream
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup milk
1 small pinch salt

Crunchy milk chocolate layer
100 g milk chocolate
1/2 cup rice puffs cereal

Directions

Divide the brownie pieces evenly among 4 small jars, pressing them gently into the bottom. Set aside.

In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat without stirring, and cook until the mixture turns a deep golden caramel color.

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the milk until smooth. Carefully add this mixture to the caramel along with the butter, cream, and salt. Stir gently and bring back to a boil, cooking until thickened.

Remove the caramel from the heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Pour the caramel evenly over the brownie layer in each jar. Refrigerate until completely cooled.

Melt the milk chocolate using a double boiler or microwave. Stir in the rice puffs until fully coated. Spread the mixture onto parchment paper and refrigerate until firm.

Once set, roughly chop the crunchy chocolate and divide it evenly over the caramel layer in the jars.

Just before serving, top each jar with one scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Servings and timing

Servings: 4 individual jars

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Cooling and resting time: 1 hour
Total time: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes

Variations

Replace vanilla ice cream with chocolate or caramel ice cream for a deeper flavor.
Add a thin layer of chocolate mousse instead of ice cream for a fully chilled dessert.
Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a less sweet, more intense taste.
Swap brownies for chocolate cake cubes for a lighter texture.

Storage/Reheating

The jars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days without the ice cream topping. Add ice cream only when ready to serve. The brownie, caramel, and crunchy chocolate layers freeze well for up to 1 month when tightly covered. This dessert is not meant to be reheated.

FAQs

Can I make this dessert in advance?

Yes, you can prepare all layers except the ice cream up to two days ahead and store them in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze the assembled jars?

Yes, freeze the jars without the ice cream topping. Thaw slightly in the refrigerator before serving.

What type of brownies work best?

Fudgy brownies work best, as they hold their texture and complement the creamy caramel.

Can I use store-bought caramel?

Homemade caramel is recommended for flavor and texture, but thick store-bought caramel can be used in a pinch.

Is this dessert suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, all ingredients are vegetarian-friendly.

Can I use whipping cream instead of regular cream?

Yes, whipping cream works well and gives a rich, smooth caramel.

How do I prevent the caramel from burning?

Cook the sugar and water without stirring and watch closely once it begins to change color.

Can I make this without jars?

Yes, you can assemble it in small glasses, bowls, or even a single larger dish.

What can I use instead of rice puffs?

You can use crushed cornflakes or crispy cereal for a similar crunch.

Is this dessert very sweet?

It is rich and sweet, but the crunch and ice cream balance the caramel well.

Conclusion

Creamy caramel, crunchy milk chocolate, and brownies in a jar is a dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for dinner parties, celebrations, or make-ahead treats, it’s a versatile recipe that feels indulgent yet approachable, and one you’ll want to make again and again.

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