Description
Quick No-Bake Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars are a delightful treat combining the crunch of pretzels with the sweetness of caramel and chocolate, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without the need for baking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pretzel sticks
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
- In a large mixing bowl, crush the pretzel sticks into smaller pieces, leaving some larger chunks for texture.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, and butter. Stir until melted and smooth, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the crushed pretzels and mix until all pretzel pieces are well coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly into an even layer.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the pretzel mixture and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle the sea salt on top of the chocolate layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until the chocolate is set.
- Once set, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sun butter or a similar nut-free spread.
- Add a layer of crushed nuts or toffee bits on top of the chocolate for extra crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg