Pretzel Caramel Chocolate Bars (Crunchy & Sweet)
Ingredients
For the pretzel base
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the caramel layer
- 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the chocolate topping
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional, for drizzling)
Directions
-
Bake the pretzel crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and granulated sugar until evenly coated. Press the mixture firmly into a greased 9×9-inch baking pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then set aside to cool completely. -
Cook the caramel layer
In a saucepan over medium heat, add the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until the caramel thickens. Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract. Pour the hot caramel over the cooled pretzel crust and spread evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up. -
Add the chocolate topping
Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring between intervals until smooth. Spread the melted chocolate over the chilled caramel layer. For a decorative finish, melt the white chocolate chips and drizzle over the top. -
Chill, slice, and serve
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or until fully set). Cut into 16 bars and enjoy the sweet-and-salty crunch.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1.5 hours
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Approx. Calories: 280 kcal per bar
