Sweet Salty Brownie Bars

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

We're taking brownies to the next level by adding crunchy pretzels and homemade salted caramel sauce. It's the ultimate sweet and salty dessert mashup!

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:08:17 GMT
A close-up of chocolate brownies topped with pretzels and a sprinkle of sea salt. Pin it
A close-up of chocolate brownies topped with pretzels and a sprinkle of sea salt. | recipesbyclare.com

These Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies became an instant hit in my kitchen when I started experimenting with my classic brownie recipe. The combination of rich chocolate, crunchy pretzels and silky caramel creates pure magic in every bite. Trust me, once you make these for your family or friends they'll be begging for the recipe!

What You'll Need for These Amazing Brownies

  • Brownie Mix: 1 box works perfectly. I sometimes make them from scratch but the mix is such a time-saver.
  • Vegetable Oil: ½ cup to make them super moist and fudgy.
  • Water: ¼ cup just enough to get the perfect consistency.
  • Eggs: 2 large fresh eggs from my local farmers market work best.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: 1 cup for extra chocolatey goodness.
  • Mini Pretzels: 2 cups crushed into pieces. My kids love helping with this part.
  • Caramel Sauce: 1 cup store bought is fine but I love making mine from scratch.
  • Sea Salt: 1 tsp for that perfect sweet salty balance that makes these brownies unforgettable.

Let's Make These Incredible Brownies Together

Preheat the Oven
Start with a 350°F oven. I always line my 9x9 pan with parchment paper it makes cleanup so much easier.
Mix Your Batter
In my favorite mixing bowl I combine the brownie mix oil water and eggs until smooth. Sometimes I toss in those chocolate chips when I want them extra decadent.
Time for Pretzels
Break up those pretzels into chunks and scatter them over your batter. I like some bigger pieces for extra crunch.
Into the Oven
Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You'll know they're done when your kitchen smells amazing and a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool completely.
Caramel Magic
If you're making caramel from scratch melt sugar until golden brown add butter cream vanilla and salt. Cool it slightly before drizzling.
The Final Touch
Pour that gorgeous caramel over your brownies cut them into squares and watch them disappear!

My Secret Tips for the Best Results

  • Pretzel Secret: I love breaking the pretzels into random sizes. The variety of textures makes every bite interesting.
  • Quick Caramel Trick: When I'm short on time I warm up store bought caramel with a pinch of sea salt. Works like a charm!
  • Keep Them Fresh: Store these in your favorite container on the counter for 3 days if they last that long! Pop them in the fridge to keep longer.
A close-up of chocolate brownies topped with chocolate frosting, pretzels, and a sprinkle of salt on a white plate. Pin it
A close-up of chocolate brownies topped with chocolate frosting, pretzels, and a sprinkle of salt on a white plate. | recipesbyclare.com

A Little Story About These Brownies

I created this recipe one rainy afternoon when my kids were craving something special. We had pretzels leftover from movie night and some caramel sauce in the fridge. That happy accident turned into our family's most requested dessert. The sweet and salty combo is absolutely irresistible and I love watching people's faces light up when they try them for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why did my caramel sauce crystallize?

Avoid stirring the sugar too much while it melts. Brush down the sides of the pan with water to prevent crystals from forming.

→ Can I use a different size pan?

Stick to 9x9 for the right thickness. If using 9x13, increase ingredients by 1.5x and reduce baking time slightly.

→ How do I know when the brownies are done?

A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean. They'll continue setting as they cool.

→ Can I freeze these brownies?

Freeze untopped brownies for up to 3 months. Add pretzels and caramel after thawing for best texture.

→ Why add salt to the caramel?

Salt enhances both the sweet and bitter notes in the caramel and chocolate, creating a more complex flavor.

Caramel Pretzel Brownies

Fudgy brownies topped with pretzel pieces and drizzled with salted caramel sauce. A perfect balance of sweet, salty and chocolate.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 box brownie mix.
02 1/2 cup vegetable oil.
03 1/4 cup water.
04 2 large eggs.
05 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional).
06 2 cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces.
07 1 cup caramel sauce.
08 1 teaspoon sea salt.
09 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional).
10 1/2 cup granulated sugar (optional).
11 1/4 cup unsalted butter (optional).
12 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional).
13 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional).

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9x9 pan with parchment.

Step 02

Mix brownie ingredients until smooth. Add chocolate chips if using.

Step 03

Pour batter in pan, top with pretzel pieces.

Step 04

Bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick has moist crumbs.

Step 05

For homemade caramel: Melt sugar until amber. Add butter, whisk. Add cream carefully, stir. Remove from heat, add vanilla and salt.

Step 06

Let brownies cool completely.

Step 07

Drizzle with caramel sauce and serve.

Notes

  1. Use varied pretzel sizes for texture.
  2. Store-bought caramel works fine.
  3. Keeps 3 days at room temp.
  4. Can freeze untopped.
  5. Don't overstir melting sugar.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x9 baking pan.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Mixing bowls.
  • Saucepan (for caramel).
  • Whisk.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (if using homemade caramel).
  • Eggs.
  • Wheat (pretzels, brownie mix).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 285
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 38 g
  • Protein: 3 g