Description
These No-Bake Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, featuring a crunchy pretzel base, gooey caramel center, and rich chocolate topping. Easy to make and requiring no baking, they’re a quick and satisfying treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups pretzels, crushed
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Spread the crushed pretzels evenly on the bottom of the dish.
- Make the Caramel: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Cook the Caramel: Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the caramel thickens.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the caramel mixture over the pretzel crust, spreading it out evenly.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Top with Chocolate: Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle with Sea Salt: Sprinkle sea salt over the top of the chocolate layer to enhance the sweet and salty flavor.
- Refrigerate: Place the bars in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or until set.
- Cut and Serve: Once chilled, cut the bars into squares or bars and serve.
Notes
- For an extra crunch, add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top of the caramel layer before adding the chocolate.
- These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Be sure to let the caramel cook long enough for it to thicken properly, which ensures it sets well in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg