No-Bake Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars Recipe
These No-Bake Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and salty with a delightful crunch. Made effortlessly without any baking, they feature a crispy pretzel base coated in buttery richness, topped with luscious salted caramel and finished with a drizzle of melted chocolate. Ideal for a quick dessert or a crowd-pleasing treat that requires minimal prep and cooling time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 3 cups pretzels, crushed (can substitute with graham crackers)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Topping
- 1 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup chocolate (dark or milk chocolate, melted)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Crush the pretzels into coarse pieces. In a bowl, melt the unsalted butter and combine it thoroughly with the crushed pretzels until all pieces are evenly coated.
- Press the Base: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal. Firmly press the pretzel and butter mixture into the bottom of the dish to form an even, compact layer.
- Add Caramel Layer: Pour the salted caramel sauce evenly over the pressed pretzel base. Spread gently with a spatula to cover the entire surface.
- Refrigerate: Place the dish in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the caramel and base to firm up properly.
- Chocolate Drizzle: While the bars chill, melt the chocolate until smooth. Once the bars are firm, drizzle the melted chocolate over the surface evenly for a decorative and flavorful finish.
- Cut and Serve: Carefully lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper. Cut into squares or rectangles, and serve immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- For a homemade salted caramel sauce, simmer sugar and butter then add cream and salt to taste.
- Dark chocolate adds richness, while milk chocolate gives a sweeter, creamier finish.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- You can substitute pretzels with graham crackers if you prefer a less salty base.
- Allow the bars to come to room temperature for a few minutes before serving for easier biting.
Keywords: salted caramel bars, no-bake dessert, pretzel bars, easy caramel treats, chocolate caramel dessert