Description
Salt River Bars blend caramel, chocolate, and pretzels into an irresistible sweet-salty treat. Layers of creamy caramel and rich chocolate melt together over a crunchy pretzel base, creating a dessert that satisfies all cravings in one delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 90 club crackers
- 1 cup (227 grams) salted butter
- 2 cups (440 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup (120 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 1 ½ cups (255 grams) milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup (85 grams) butterscotch chips
- ½ cup (128 grams) creamy peanut butter
Liquid Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream
Finishing Ingredient:
- Maldon sea salt (amount not specified)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking pan by thoroughly lining it with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage and lightly coating with non-stick cooking spray.
- Create a foundational layer by meticulously arranging Club crackers in a uniform, edge-to-edge pattern across the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and heavy cream. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, continuously stirring with a wooden spoon to prevent scorching.
- Allow the caramel mixture to reach a rolling boil, maintaining constant stirring. Continue boiling precisely for 7 minutes until the consistency becomes rich and glossy.
- Carefully pour half of the molten caramel directly over the initial cracker layer, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage.
- Gently place a second uniform layer of Club crackers atop the first caramel layer.
- Repeat the caramel pouring process, covering the second cracker layer completely with remaining caramel mixture.
- Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and allow to chill for approximately 15-20 minutes until the caramel sets slightly.
- Prepare the chocolate topping by combining semi-sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and creamy peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until completely smooth and fully incorporated.
- Spread the chocolate mixture evenly across the chilled caramel and cracker layers, creating a uniform topping.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt across the surface for a sophisticated flavor contrast.
- Return the pan to the refrigerator and chill for 1-2 hours until the chocolate sets completely.
- Using the parchment paper edges, lift the entire dessert from the pan and slice into rectangular bars using a sharp knife.
Notes
- Prep your pan meticulously by using parchment paper and non-stick spray for effortless removal of bars.
- Layer Club crackers precisely as the foundational base, ensuring complete pan coverage for consistent texture.
- Caramel requires constant stirring and exact 7-minute boiling time to achieve perfect thick, glossy consistency.
- Alternate layers of crackers and caramel create delightful depth and rich, complex flavor profile.
- Chocolate topping with butterscotch and peanut butter transforms simple crackers into decadent, gourmet dessert bars.
- Sea salt sprinkle provides sophisticated sweet-salty contrast, elevating the entire dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg