Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars Recipe
Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars are a delightful combination of crunchy pretzel crust, rich caramel, and a smooth, creamy topping finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. This no-bake dessert offers a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with a creamy texture that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Crust
- 2 cups pretzel crumbs (crushed pretzels)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Caramel Layer
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Creamy Topping
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a bowl, mix the pretzel crumbs, melted unsalted butter, and granulated sugar until the mixture is well combined and resembles wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper to form an even crust. Place it in the refrigerator while preparing the next layer.
- Add the caramel layer: In a small bowl, stir the caramel sauce together with the sea salt until evenly combined. Pour the salted caramel over the chilled pretzel crust and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Return the dish to the refrigerator to set for 20-30 minutes.
- Make the creamy topping: In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. This should take about 3-5 minutes on medium-high speed.
- Assemble the bars: Spread the whipped cream evenly over the set caramel layer. Optionally, sprinkle with extra crushed pretzels or a light dusting of sea salt for added texture and flavor.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least 1 hour or until the creamy topping is firm. Cut into squares and serve chilled for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Use crushed pretzels for the crust; finely crushed pretzels help hold the crust well.
- Store-bought caramel sauce saves time but you can make homemade caramel for a richer flavor.
- For a firmer topping, chill the mixing bowl and beaters before whipping the cream.
- Keep bars refrigerated and consume within 3 days for optimal freshness.
- To make these bars vegan, substitute butter and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives and use vegan caramel sauce.
Keywords: salted caramel, pretzel bars, no-bake dessert, caramel bars, creamy topping, sweet and salty dessert
Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/salted-caramel-pretzel-bars-recipe/
