Lay out one stick (½ cup) of unsalted butter and the two eggs and let them come to room temperature.
Prepare your 8 x 8 baking dish by lining it with parchment paper or with foil. If you prefer, you can spray it with a non-stick baking spray. If you are trying to keep it as oil-free as possible, Just stick with the parchment paper and don't use the baking spray.
Turn your oven to 350 degrees and let the oven preheat.
In a medium-sized bowl, sift in the all-purpose flour that you have scooped out with a spoon into a measuring cup and leveled with a knife and the unsweetened cocoa powder and then set the bowl aside.
If you are using a hand-held mixer, then you will do the following steps using a large bowl. If you have a stand mixer, then use the bowl that comes with the mixer to do the next steps.
In a large bowl, add the softened butter (you do not want it melted). Cream the butter until it's light and fluffy. This will take about 5 minutes. Next, add the sugar and cream together for approximately another 3 minutes until they have combined together.
Next, add one egg and mix the egg in thoroughly. Repeat the process with the second egg. Then add in the vanilla.
Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Start by turning the mixer off, then add ⅓ of the dry, turn to slow speed, mix, turn up the speed, then repeat the process. You do not want to over mix the batter. Just mix until everything is incorporated.
Add in the chopped pecans, chocolate chips, and caramel bits (or caramel chips). Stir these ingredients in using a spatula. Also scrape the sides of the bowl with the spatula to make sure that you get everything mixed together.
Pour the batter into a prepared 8x8 baking dish and smooth with the spatula or offset spatula. Place into the oven.
Bake for 25 minutes. Using a cake tester or toothpick, check 2" from the side of the pan (not the middle) to see if the brownies are done. If crumbs come up on the tester or if the tester is clear, then they are done. If it isn't, then place the brownies back into the oven at 5-minute increments until done.
When they are done, remove from the oven, and allow them to cool.
Once they have cooled, heat up the caramel sauce in the microwave just so it's warm enough to drizzle. Then using a spoon, drizzle the caramel over the tops of the brownies and sprinkle the chocolate chips and pecans over the tops of the brownies. Slice and serve. You can also do this step while the brownies are still a little warm. However, remember that the chocolate and caramel will melt and you will have a gooey topping. You can also microwave the brownie a bit after you put the topping on. Either way, these are simply scrumptious!