Description
Caramel Pretzel Delight Bars blend salty crunch with sweet decadence, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. Chocolate drizzles and caramel layers invite you to savor each indulgent bite of this irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups mini pretzels (lightly crushed)
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Caramel and Sweeteners:
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips (optional, for drizzle)
Flavor Enhancers:
- ¼ teaspoon (¼ tsp) salt
- ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, creating extra edges for easy lifting. Distribute crushed pretzels uniformly across the bottom, creating a crisp foundation.
- In a medium saucepan, gently melt butter over medium heat. Incorporate brown sugar and salt, stirring consistently until the mixture transforms into a smooth, bubbling caramel. Continue cooking for 3 minutes, maintaining constant movement to prevent scorching.
- Remove caramel from heat and fold in vanilla extract. Carefully pour the hot mixture over the pretzel base, ensuring an even, comprehensive coating that saturates the crunchy layer.
- Transfer the pan to a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for caramel to develop slight bubbling and a rich, golden appearance.
- Immediately after removing from oven, generously scatter semi-sweet chocolate chips across the hot caramel surface. Allow 2-3 minutes for natural melting, then use a spatula to create a smooth, uniform chocolate layer.
- For an elegant finish, microcook white chocolate chips in 15-second intervals, stirring between each session until completely liquid. Artfully drizzle the white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer.
- Let the dessert rest at room temperature for approximately one hour to stabilize. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the bars to solidify and develop a satisfying texture.
- Utilizing the parchment paper overhangs, carefully extract the entire dessert. Place on a cutting board and slice into rectangular or square portions. Serve chilled and enjoy the decadent combination of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Prep Smartly: Line the baking dish with parchment paper, creating easy-access handles for removing your delectable treat without mess or fuss.
- Caramel Crafting: Watch the butter and brown sugar carefully while boiling, stirring constantly to prevent burning and ensure a rich, smooth caramel base.
- Chocolate Magic: Let chocolate chips melt naturally from the residual heat of the caramel, creating a glossy, perfectly spread chocolate layer with minimal effort.
- Timing is Key: Bake just until the caramel bubbles and the edges look slightly golden, avoiding over-baking which can make the bars too hard or dry.
- Chilling Technique: Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to help them set firmly, making cutting and serving much easier and cleaner.
- Serving Suggestion: Cut into small squares for a party treat or larger pieces for a decadent dessert that combines sweet, salty, and crunchy textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg