Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars
This recipe is one of the most popular desserts that combines sweet and salty flavors. It’s easy to make, requires minimal baking time, and includes layers of crunchy pretzels, rich caramel, and melted chocolate, making it the perfect treat for all ages.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- Sea salt (optional for topping)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the Pretzels: Spread the crushed pretzels evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. You can crush the pretzels using a rolling pin or a food processor to achieve the desired consistency.
- Make the Caramel Mixture: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, stir in the brown sugar. Continue stirring constantly until the mixture becomes smooth and begins to bubble, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Pour the Caramel: Pour the caramel mixture over the pretzels in the baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Make sure the pretzels are fully covered with the caramel.
- Bake the Bars: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the caramel is bubbly and golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent the caramel from burning.
- Add the Chocolate: After removing the dish from the oven, immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot caramel. Let the chocolate sit for a few minutes to soften, then use a spatula to spread it evenly over the caramel layer.
- Add Sea Salt (Optional): For a sweet and salty contrast, sprinkle some sea salt over the melted chocolate layer if desired.
- Cool and Set: Allow the bars to cool completely in the dish, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to 1 hour until the chocolate sets.
- Remove and Cut: Once the bars have cooled and the chocolate has set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the dish and transfer them to a cutting board.
- Slice and Enjoy: Cut into bars of your preferred size and enjoy!
Total Prep Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12 bars
Calories per Serving: 220 kcal
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 10-12 minutes
These bars are the perfect blend of flavors, with crunchy pretzels, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate. They’re easy to make, store well in the fridge, and make for a delightful treat at any time!