Salted Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Bars
A crunchy, sweet-and-salty treat with a buttery pretzel crust, rich caramel center, and smooth chocolate topping.
Ingredients
Pretzel Base
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Caramel Layer
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
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Prepare the pretzel crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until the pretzels are evenly coated and the mixture resembles damp sand. Press firmly into a greased 9×9-inch baking pan, forming an even layer. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then set aside to cool completely. -
Cook the caramel layer
Add the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Let it bubble for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the hot caramel over the cooled pretzel crust, spreading it into an even layer. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until the caramel is set.
-
Top with chocolate
Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval, until fully melted and smooth. Spread the melted chocolate over the chilled caramel layer. If desired, melt the white chocolate chips the same way and drizzle over the top for a decorative finish. -
Chill and serve
Refrigerate the pan for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate is firm and the layers are fully set. Once chilled, cut into 16 bars. Serve and enjoy the crunchy, caramel-filled, chocolate-topped goodness.
Recipe Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Calories: Approximately 280 kcal per bar


