Irresistible Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies Recipe: Sweet Meets Salty

Sweet and salty cravings collide in these decadent salted caramel pretzel brownies that blend rich chocolate with crunchy, twisted snacks.

Layers of gooey caramel weave through fudgy chocolate, creating an irresistible dessert experience.

Crisp pretzel pieces add unexpected texture and a delightful crunch to each bite.

Chocolate lovers will appreciate the complex flavor profile that balances sweet and savory notes.

Homemade treats often bring magical moments to your kitchen, connecting memories and taste.

Dense, moist brownies promise pure indulgence with every single slice.

Let’s dive into a recipe that guarantees to become your new favorite dessert sensation.

Sweet Salty Brownie Bars: Irresistible Contrast

• Crunch with Every Bite: Enjoy the delightful texture contrast between soft, fudgy brownies and crispy pretzel pieces that add a satisfying crunch.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Whip up this crowd-pleasing dessert with simple ingredients and minimal preparation, perfect for sudden sweet cravings or last-minute gatherings.
• Sweet-Salty Symphony: Experience a flavor explosion where rich chocolate meets salty pretzels and homemade caramel, creating a mouthwatering balance that keeps everyone coming back for more.
• Customize Your Delight: Easily adapt the recipe by adding chocolate chips or adjusting pretzel toppings to match your personal taste preferences and make it uniquely yours.

Brownie Bar Must-Haves

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure to the brownie bars.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the dessert.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a moist, tender texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the brownie's rich consistency.

• Chocolate Chips: Provide extra bursts of chocolate throughout the brownie bars.
• Unsweetened Chocolate: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds depth.

• Butter, Vanilla Extract, Salt: Create a balanced flavor profile and improve overall texture.

• Granulated Sugar: The base for creating a golden caramel sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the caramel.

• Pretzels: Offer a crunchy, salty contrast to the sweet brownie base.

Quick Guide to Brownie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your 9×9 inch baking pan and line it completely with parchment paper, ensuring the paper covers the bottom and sides.

This will help you easily lift the brownies out later.

Step 2: Create Brownie Batter

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine all your brownie ingredients.

Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

If you’re a chocolate lover, fold in some chocolate chips for extra decadence.

Step 3: Add Crunchy Pretzel Layer

Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Sprinkle pretzel pieces across the top of the batter, gently pressing them into the surface to ensure they stick.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into a preheated oven at 350°F.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick.

You want to see moist crumbs clinging to the toothpick, which means the brownies are perfectly fudgy.

Step 5: Craft Homemade Caramel Sauce

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt sugar until it turns a beautiful amber color.

Carefully add butter and whisk continuously.

Slowly pour in cream, stirring to create a smooth consistency.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Step 6: Cool and Set

Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan.

This helps them set and makes cutting easier.

Step 7: Drizzle and Serve

Generously drizzle the homemade caramel sauce over the cooled brownies.

Slice into squares and serve these irresistible sweet and salty treats to your eager guests.

Top Tips for Brownie Bars

• Line the pan with parchment paper hanging over the edges for easy removal and clean cutting of brownies.
• Mix in dark chocolate chips or chunks to intensify the rich chocolate taste and add extra texture.
• Watch sugar carefully while making caramel, stirring gently to prevent burning and ensure smooth, golden color.
• Crush pretzels into varied sizes for different textures and distribute evenly across the brownie surface for perfect sweet-salty contrast.
• Check brownies early and remove when toothpick has moist crumbs to ensure fudgy, soft center without overbaking.

Brownie Bar: Flavor Variations

• Gluten-Free Pretzel Paradise: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour, use gluten-free pretzels for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Chocolate Dream: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free chocolate, coconut oil instead of butter, and plant-based milk for a completely vegan treat.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Substitute pretzels with chopped almonds or pecans, add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for extra flavor complexity.
• Low-Sugar Wellness Bar: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, incorporate dark chocolate with higher cocoa content, and reduce overall sweetness while maintaining rich chocolate taste.

Ways to Serve Brownie Bars

• Chocolate Lover's Paradise: Sprinkle extra crushed pretzels on top for added crunch and saltiness.
• Party Platter Perfection: Cut into bite-sized squares and arrange on a decorative platter with additional caramel drizzle for elegant dessert presentation.
• Ice Cream Companion: Serve warm brownie bar alongside vanilla bean ice cream to create a decadent dessert experience with contrasting temperatures and textures.
• Gift-Worthy Treat: Package individually wrapped bars in clear cellophane with a ribbon for a homemade gift that looks professionally crafted.

Brownie Bar Storage Hacks

• Store brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
• Place brownies in a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual brownie pieces for 10-15 seconds on medium power. Check temperature to avoid overheating and maintain soft texture.
• Warm brownies at 325F for 5-7 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent edges from becoming too crispy and preserve moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Yes, you can substitute milk chocolate, but dark chocolate provides a richer flavor that complements the sweet and salty profile of the brownies.

• How do I know when the caramel is the right color?

Look for a deep amber color, similar to golden honey. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes of careful cooking, and it will darken quickly, so watch closely.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these brownies?

You’ll need a 9×9 inch baking pan, parchment paper, and a medium saucepan for the caramel. Standard kitchen tools like a whisk and measuring cups will work perfectly.

Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies blend rich chocolate with salty-sweet crunch, creating a sensational dessert that dances between decadence and comfort. Chocolate lovers will savor each layer of complex flavor, promising a delightful experience that satisfies both sweet and salty cravings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box brownie mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup caramel sauce
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Optional Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
2. Create the brownie batter by mixing ingredients thoroughly until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency, folding in chocolate chips for extra richness.
3. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, evenly distributing it and strategically scattering pretzel pieces across the surface for a crunchy texture.
4. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge with a few moist crumbs.
5. Craft the caramel sauce by gradually melting sugar until it transforms into a deep amber color, then incorporate butter and whisk vigorously to prevent burning.
6. Carefully introduce cream into the caramel mixture, stirring constantly to create a silky smooth sauce, then remove from heat and enhance with vanilla and salt.
7. Allow brownies to cool completely at room temperature, which helps them set and develop a more intense flavor profile.
8. Finish by generously drizzling the homemade caramel sauce over the cooled brownies, creating an elegant and indulgent presentation ready to be served.

Notes

• Use high-quality dark chocolate for richer, more intense flavor depth.
• Crush pretzels roughly to create varied texture and crunchy contrast in each bite.
• For gluten-free version, swap regular pretzels with gluten-free pretzels and use almond flour instead of wheat flour in brownie mix.
• Create extra decadence by sprinkling sea salt flakes over caramel drizzle for sophisticated sweet-salty balance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 201 kcal
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 165 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2.5 g
• Cholesterol: 28 mg