Chocolate Caramel Pretzels Bars are one of the best desserts I’ve ever made! I know you will enjoy these just as much as us! A simple, but a decadent dessert that takes little time to prepare.
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Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love a great chocolate treat; there is nothing as satisfying as the taste of chocolate in a dessert. That’s why these Chocolate Caramel Pretzels Bars are one of my favorite recipes.
- TASTE: These pretzels bars are the perfect mix of salty and sweet. The pecans add a delicious nutty flavor, too.
- TEXTURE: These bars have chewy caramel, crunchy pretzels, and toasted nuts. There’s deliciousness in every bite.
- TIME: They only take 20 minutes to make.
- EASE: If baking isn’t your strong suit, these no-bake chocolate caramel pretzels bars are lifesavers. They’re very easy to make and don’t require a whole lot of time in the kitchen.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Pretzels– I used twisty pretzels, but you can use any shape pretzel you like as they are going to get crushed a bit.
- Chocolate- Use good-quality Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate chips for the best flavor.
- Pecans– Use toasted pecans for a nuttier flavor. You can do it yourself in the oven as well.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Use different chocolate chips- You can also make this with dark chocolate or even peanut butter chips.
- Substitute other nuts- Try this recipe with hazelnuts, walnuts, or almonds.
- Make it gluten-free- Make this recipe using gluten-free pretzels in place of the regular ones.
- Add graham crackers- Add some crushed graham crackers to these pretzel bars for some added sweetness and crunch.
How to Make Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars
- Crush the pretzels. Place the pretzels in a large ziplock bag and mash the bag using your hands to slightly crush the pretzels into small bits.
- Melt the milk chocolate. Melt the milk chocolate until smooth and then pour it into a parchment paper-lined baking dish.
- Add the pretzels bits. Evenly distribute and press the crushed pretzels into the melted chocolate.
Pro Tip: Compress the pretzels into the chocolate using your hands so they stick. Otherwise, your pretzel bars may fall apart.
- Prep the caramel and pecans. Melt the caramel squares with some water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, chop the toasted pecans
- Add the caramel and pecans to the pretzels. Slowly and evenly pour the melted caramel over the pretzels and then sprinkle the chopped pecans on top, compressing with your hands once more.
- Add melted chocolate on top. Melt the remaining milk chocolate and drizzle it over the pecans. Then add the melted white chocolate on top of it. Let the dessert set for at least 8 hours at room temperature before cutting.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to use good quality chocolate– Chocolate is the key ingredient in this recipe so you don’t want to cheap out on that.
- Use toasted pecans- Toasted pecans have a more prominent nutty flavor. It truly is a game changer. You can buy them toasted or do it yourself in the oven.
- Don’t crush the pretzels too much- Mash them into smaller pieces, but don’t turn them into crumbs. You want the texture of bigger pieces in these bars.
- Let it set- You need to let these pretzel bars set for at least 8 hours so the chocolate and caramel sufficiently harden.
FAQs
When using melted chocolate for any recipe that you want to create a drizzle, you have two options. The first is to dip your spoon into the melted chocolate and manually drizzle back and forth. A second option for creating a lattice drizzle is to use a frosting or icing bag.
To toast pecans, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the nuts evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until they begin to brown. Toss halfway through to avoid burning. Remove from the oven and let them cool.
Serving Suggestions
These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars are a scrumptious dessert that can be served with other sweet treats or drinks. Serve them with your favorites for the best dessert buffet.
- Chocolate treats: Pair these bars with some Chocolate Brandy Fig Bonbons, Chocolate Bark, Chocolate Covered Dates, or Paleo Chocolate Fudge.
- Cookies: Serve them with some Chocolate Macarons, Pecan Shortbread Cookies, Cookies And Cream Cookies, or Monster Cookies.
- Cakes: Enjoy these Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars with some Tiramisu Cake (VIDEO), Chocolate Mousse Cake, No Bake Mini Cheesecakes (VIDEO), or Nutella Cake.
- Beverages: Serve these sweets with a Hot Chocolate, Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat), Pumpkin Spice Latte, or Iced Caramel Macchiato.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: Because this recipe needs to set for at least 8 hours, you can make it at least one day in advance. Just store it covered with plastic wrap until you’re ready to cut it into bars.
Storing: Store these Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze: You can freeze these bars in a freezer ziplock bag for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
More Delicious Chocolate Desserts!
This recipe was originally posted November 7, 2016, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Full Recipe Instructions
Chocolate Caramel Pretzels Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups pretzels crushed
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips divided
- 11 oz caramels + 2 tbsp water
- 1 cup toasted pecans chopped
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the pretzels in a large ziplock bag and mash the bag using your hands to slightly crush the pretzels into small bits.
- Melt 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate until smooth.
- Line a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with parchment paper and pour the melted milk chocolate into the dish.
- Evenly distribute the crushed pretzels over the melted chocolate. Compress the pretzels into the chocolate using your hands.
- Melt the caramel squares with 2 tbsp water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, chop the toasted pecans
- Slowly pour the melted caramel over the pretzels to ensure it gets distributed evenly.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top of the caramel, then compress with your hands once more.
- Melt the remaining 1/2 cup milk chocolate and drizzle over the pecans.
- Melt the white chocolate and drizzle over the milk chocolate. Let the dessert set for at least 8 hours at room temperature before cutting.
Notes
- Make sure to use good quality chocolate– Chocolate is the key ingredient in this recipe so you don’t want to cheap out on that.
- Use toasted pecans- Toasted pecans have a more prominent nutty flavor. It truly is a game changer. You can buy them toasted or do it yourself in the oven.
- Don’t crush the pretzels too much- Mash them into smaller pieces, but don’t turn them into crumbs. You want the texture of bigger pieces in these bars.
- Let it set- You need to let these pretzel bars set for at least 8 hours so the chocolate and caramel sufficiently harden.
Nutrition
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Vika says
Dina, i tried these at a thanksgiving party, and they were VERY good! Good job girl!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Vika! Im glad to hear you enjoyed the bars 🙂
Marina says
I just made these and omg so good!!!!! I will add more milk chocolate on the bottom layer next time to use up the whole bag. Another great recipe, thanks Dina!!!
simplyhomecooked says
Awesome Marina! So glad you enjoyed them 🙂