Description
These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars are the perfect blend of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy. With a pretzel crust, gooey caramel layer, and rich chocolate topping, they are sure to become your new favorite treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups mini pretzels
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 14 ounces soft caramels (approximately 50–55 individual caramels)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- Sea salt flakes (Optional, but highly recommended!)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a large bowl, finely crush about 4 cups of mini pretzels. Melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter and add it along with 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the crushed pretzels. Mix thoroughly until the pretzel crumbs are evenly coated.
- Press the pretzel mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Unwrap about 14 ounces of soft caramels and place them in a medium saucepan. Add 1/4 cup of heavy cream (or milk) and heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth, about 8-12 minutes.
- Pour the warm caramel evenly over the cooled pretzel crust and spread it to the edges. While the caramel is still warm, scatter another 1 to 1 1/2 cups of whole mini pretzels over the caramel layer and gently press them down.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. Microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the pretzel and caramel layers, spreading it gently. If desired, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the melted chocolate.
- Place the baking pan in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours, or until the layers are completely set. Once chilled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and cut into desired sizes.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: For best results, use unsalted butter to control saltiness. Don't rush the caramel melting process; low heat is key. Consider using high-quality chocolate for richer flavor.