If you’re looking for an easy, addictive treat that combines sweet and salty flavors, these No-Bake Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars are the perfect solution. With just a few ingredients and no baking required, these bars come together in no time and are a guaranteed hit at any gathering. The crunchy, salty pretzel base pairs perfectly with the smooth, gooey caramel and a chocolatey topping that creates a decadent dessert with the perfect balance of flavors. These bars are the ultimate snack for satisfying your sweet and salty cravings!
Ingredients:
- 4 cups pretzels (small, twisted or sticks)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, for extra salty flavor)
Instructions:
- Prepare the pretzel base:
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy removal.
- Break the pretzels into smaller pieces and place them in the prepared baking dish. You want a mix of whole pretzels and broken pieces, creating a nice base layer.
- Make the caramel topping:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves, and the mixture starts to boil.
- Once boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes a smooth caramel sauce.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Assemble the bars:
- Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the pretzels in the baking dish, spreading it out to cover the pretzels completely.
- Let the caramel cool and set for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the chocolate layer:
- While the caramel sets, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Chill and set:
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours or until the chocolate and caramel are fully set.
- Once set, remove from the fridge and cut into squares or bars.
- Serve and enjoy:
- Enjoy these irresistible No-Bake Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars as a snack, dessert, or gift! They’re guaranteed to disappear fast, so you might want to make a double batch!
These No-Bake Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars offer the perfect balance of crunchy, salty, and sweet. With no oven time required, you can have a batch ready to go in just a few hours. They’re sure to become a favorite at your next party or family gathering!
