Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars
These no-bake salted caramel pretzel bars combine crunchy pretzels with gooey caramel and a rich chocolate layer, making them a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
For the Base
- 2 cups crushed pretzels Twists or sticks, crushed by hand or in a zip-top bag.
- 1 cup brown sugar Dark or light brown, dark is richer.
- 1/2 cup butter Salted or unsalted is fine, but usually use salted.
- 1 cup granulated sugar Adds body and snap to caramel layer.
For the Topping
- 1 cup chocolate chips Semisweet or dark for a bittersweet effect.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream For ganache.
- to taste flaky sea salt For topping; use Maldon or similar.
Instructions
Preparation
- Crush the pretzels in a heavy-duty zip-top bag with a rolling pin, leaving some chunks for texture.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar, stirring constantly until the mixture is glossy and combined.
Assembly
- Remove from heat and add crushed pretzels to the caramel mixture, stirring until evenly coated.
- Line an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish with parchment and press the pretzel mixture into the pan.
Ganache Preparation
- In another saucepan, heat the heavy cream until just simmering, then pour over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl, and let sit for 60 seconds.
- Stir into a smooth ganache and pour over the pretzel base, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt on top.
Chilling
- Refrigerate for at least two hours until set. Lift from the pan using parchment and cut into bars.
Notes
These bars are forgiving; if the caramel gets a bit darker than intended, they will still taste great. Ensure to chill long enough for the layers to set properly.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18g
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