Caramel Pretzel Bars for Sweet Cravings Recipe
These Quick No-Bake Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars are a delightful treat combining a crunchy pretzel crust, rich salted caramel, and a fluffy creamy topping. Perfectly balanced between sweet and salty, they satisfy your sweet cravings without any baking required.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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
- Prepare the Pretzel Crust: In a medium bowl, combine pretzel crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish to form an even layer.
- Layer the Caramel: Drizzle the caramel sauce over the pretzel crust. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Sprinkle the sea salt on top of the caramel layer to enhance the flavor.
- Make the Creamy Topping: In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form for a smooth, fluffy topping.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread the whipped cream mixture evenly over the caramel layer in the baking dish, smoothing it out to create a uniform top layer.
- Chill: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until the bars are firm and set, allowing the layers to meld perfectly.
- Slice and Serve: Once chilled, remove from the refrigerator. Cut into squares and serve your delightful salted caramel pretzel bars. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use store-bought caramel sauce for a quick version or homemade for a richer taste.
- Make sure to crush pretzels finely for a more cohesive crust.
- Adjust the sea salt amount based on your preferred level of saltiness.
- These bars store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pretzels.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 16 bars)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: no bake dessert, salted caramel bars, pretzel crust dessert, quick sweet treat, easy caramel bars