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Salted Chocolate And Caramel Pretzel Bars

Melt chocolate in bowl, pour half on lined pan. Add crushed pretzels, drizzle warm caramel on top. Cover with rest of chocolate, sprinkle salt and more pretzels. Let set in fridge bout hour. Makes quick sweet-salty bars that everyone loves.

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:26:35 GMT
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Close-up of a caramel-covered dessert topped with pretzel pieces. Pin it
Close-up of a caramel-covered dessert topped with pretzel pieces. | zestplate.com

Looking for a treat recipe that'll blow minds? These salted chocolate and caramel pretzel bars recipe combines sweet, salty, and crunchy in the most amazing way. Just four ingredients and no baking needed - it's the perfect quick dessert that tastes like it came from a fancy candy shop!

Why These Bars Are Amazing

These chocolate caramel bars strike that perfect balance between sweet and salty that keeps you coming back for "just one more piece." The best part? They're ridiculously easy to make. No candy thermometer, no fussy techniques - just simple ingredients coming together to make something magical.

What You'll Need

  • Chocolate Chips: 12 ounces semi-sweet - splurge on the good stuff, it makes a difference!
  • Mini Pretzels: 2 cups of twists - they'll give you that perfect salty crunch
  • Caramel Bits: 1 bag (11 oz) Kraft bits, or unwrapped caramel squares work too
  • Sea Salt: Just a pinch for that gourmet finish

Let's Make Magic!

Get Set Up
Line your biggest baking sheet with parchment. Trust me, this makes life so much easier later!
First Chocolate Layer
Melt 8 ounces of chocolate chips slowly in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth. Spread it out on your lined pan like you're painting a delicious canvas.
Pretzel Party
Scatter those pretzels all over your chocolate while it's still warm. Give them a gentle press - we want them to stick!
Caramel Time
Melt your caramel bits with a splash of water until they're smooth and flowing. Drizzle this golden goodness all over those pretzels.
Final Touch
Melt your remaining chocolate and drizzle it over everything. A sprinkle of sea salt on top makes it look (and taste) like it came from a fancy shop.
Chill Out
Pop the whole thing in the fridge until everything's firm. Then break or cut into pieces - baker's choice!

Why They're So Good

It's all about those layers! Smooth chocolate, crunchy pretzels, gooey caramel - each bite gives you a perfect mix of textures and flavors. Plus, that hint of salt on top makes everything pop like magic.

Chocolate Tips

The key to gorgeous bars is melting your chocolate right. Go low and slow in the microwave, stirring often. If it starts to get too thick, a tiny drop of vegetable oil can help smooth things out.

Pretzel Perfect

Don't worry if your pretzels aren't lined up perfectly - that random scatter actually makes the bars look more appetizing! Just make sure they're pressed into that first chocolate layer well enough to stick.

Caramel Success

Working with caramel can be tricky, but here's a pro tip: add just a tiny splash of water when melting it. This helps it spread more easily without getting too sticky or hard when it cools.

A close-up view of chocolate brownies topped with a glossy caramel drizzle and pretzel pieces. Pin it
A close-up view of chocolate brownies topped with a glossy caramel drizzle and pretzel pieces. | zestplate.com

Serving and Storage

These bars keep well in an airtight container for about a week (if they last that long!). Keep them in the fridge if your kitchen's warm, or at room temp if you like them softer. They're perfect for parties, gifts, or those moments when you need a sweet-and-salty fix!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Need different chocolate?

Any kind works good. Dark's less sweet. White looks nice. Mix kinds maybe. Fresh chips best.

→ How keep em good?

Box em up tight. Keep em cold. Good week tops. Stack with paper. If they last that long!

→ Want no wheat kind?

Rice pretzels work. Check they're good. Still gets crunchy. Read box careful. Worth finding right ones.

→ How long they last?

Week if kept cold. Box em up good. Don't leave warm. Fresh is better. Share em quick.

→ Adding more stuff?

Nuts work real nice. More salt maybe. Even coconut. Don't add too much. Keep it simple.

→ Getting too soft?

Keep em more cold. Less caramel maybe. Work quick when warm. Chill between steps. Patient helps lots.

→ Taking em places?

Keep em cold packed. Box with sides firm. Cut em smaller. Watch they don't melt. Worth the work.

→ Need em faster?

Freeze few minutes. Have stuff ready. Quick melt works. Still needs set time. Worth short wait.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need more space. Longer chill time. Keep stuff cold. Makes good gifts.

→ Want more salty?

Add good salt kind. More pretzels too. Sprinkle tops. Taste as you go. Can't fix too much.

→ Chocolate not smooth?

Melt it slower. Stir lots more. Strain lumps out. Fresh chips help. Don't get water in.

→ Caramel too hard?

Warm it more. Mix some cream. Work quick though. Watch it close. Easy fix warm.

Conclusion

Love these? Try chocolate pretzels next. Or make caramel brownies. Both got that sweet-salty kick.

Salted Chocolate And Caramel Pretzel Bars

Needed something sweet and crunchy after dinner. Found pretzels, chocolate and caramel in my pantry. Fifteen minutes later, these bars were chilling in the fridge. No oven needed, just pure snack satisfaction.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 15 Servings (15 pieces)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips, good quality.
02 8 ounces mini pretzel twists.
03 11 ounce bag Kraft Caramel Bits.
04 Sea salt for sprinkling.

Instructions

Step 01

Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.

Step 02

Gently melt 8 ounces of the chocolate chips in the microwave by heating on low and stirring every 15 seconds until smooth and velvety.

Step 03

Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the parchment-lined baking sheet. Immediately scatter the mini pretzel twists over the chocolate, allowing some overlap, and gently press them into the chocolate to secure.

Step 04

Place the caramel bits in a microwave-safe bowl, add 2 tablespoons of water, and melt according to the package instructions, heating on high for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and drizzle this warm caramel over the pretzels, creating a sweet, sticky layer.

Step 05

Melt the remaining 4 ounces of chocolate chips and drizzle over the caramel layer. Finish by sprinkling sea salt across the top for a delightful contrast.

Step 06

Refrigerate the tray until the chocolate is firm and set, then cut or tear the bars into desired pieces and enjoy your delicious creation.

Notes

  1. These bars are best enjoyed within a few days of making, stored in an airtight container.
  2. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate or sprinkle additional toppings like nuts.

Tools You'll Need

  • Cutting board.
  • Microwave-safe bowl.
  • Baking sheet.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Refrigerator.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.
  • Soy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 268
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 39 g
  • Protein: 3 g