Print

Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 634 reviews

Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars are a deliciously sweet and salty treat featuring a crunchy pretzel base, a rich homemade caramel layer, and a smooth semisweet chocolate topping finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. Perfect for parties or anytime you crave a gourmet snack with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Base

  • 2 cups pretzels, crushed (salted mini twists or sticks)

For the Caramel Layer

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping

  • 1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • Sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
  2. Layer Pretzels: Spread the crushed pretzels evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. The mixture of pretzel sizes adds a pleasing texture, so even distribution is key but exact uniformity is not necessary.
  3. Make Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the packed brown sugar and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Allow it to boil without stirring for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  4. Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble vigorously here, so be cautious.
  5. Pour Caramel Over Pretzels: Immediately pour the hot caramel evenly over the pretzels in the pan. Use a spatula to gently spread the caramel to the edges, ensuring all pretzels are coated.
  6. Bake the Caramel Base: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes until the caramel is bubbly and slightly darkened, which helps it set firmly.
  7. Add Chocolate: Remove from the oven and quickly sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips over the hot caramel layer. Let them sit for about 5 minutes to soften.
  8. Spread Chocolate: Using an offset spatula or butter knife, spread the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel layer.
  9. Sprinkle Sea Salt: If desired, sprinkle sea salt over the still-soft chocolate to enhance the sweet and salty flavor profile.
  10. Cool and Set: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to fully set the caramel and chocolate layers.
  11. Serve: Once chilled, break or slice the bars into pieces using a warm, sharp knife for clean cuts. Enjoy your caramel pretzel crack bars!

Notes

  • Use salted pretzels to balance the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate.
  • Do not stir the caramel while boiling to prevent crystallization.
  • If desired, substitute semisweet chocolate chips with milk or dark chocolate chips for different flavor profiles.
  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • For easier cutting, warm your knife under hot water and dry it before slicing through the bars.

Keywords: caramel pretzel bars, pretzel crack bars, caramel dessert, chocolate caramel bars, salty sweet bars

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/caramel-pretzel-crack-bars-recipe/