Pretzel Caramel Chocolate Bars (Easy Recipe)
These pretzel caramel chocolate bars combine a crunchy, salty base with a rich caramel layer and a smooth chocolate topping—perfect for parties, holidays, or a quick dessert tray.
Ingredients
Pretzel Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup finely ground sugar
Caramel Layer
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 1 1/2 cups chunky semisweet chocolate
Optional Drizzle
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Preparation Instructions
1) Bake the Pretzel Base
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar until evenly coated.
- Press the mixture firmly into a greased 9×9-inch baking pan, creating a compact, even layer.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
2) Make the Caramel Topping
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, heavy cream, and packed brown sugar.
- Stir constantly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Continue cooking for 4–5 minutes, stirring, until the caramel thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Once the crust has cooled, pour the caramel evenly over the pretzel layer.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
3) Add the Chocolate Layer
- Melt the semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round until smooth.
- Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the chilled caramel.
- If desired, melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over the top for decoration.
Time, Yield, and Nutrition
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Bake time: 10 minutes
- Chill time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Servings: 16 bars
- Approx. calories: 280 per bar
Enjoy
Slice into bars once fully chilled, then serve and enjoy the sweet-salty crunch.
