Easy Pretzel Bottom Caramel Brownies Recipe: Sweet & Salty Magic

Decadent pretzel bottom caramel brownies blend sweet and salty elements into an irresistible dessert experience.

Crisp, golden pretzels create a surprising base that reinvents traditional brownie expectations.

Underneath rich chocolate layers, the salty crunch provides unexpected textural complexity and depth.

Buttery caramel swirls enhance the contrasting flavors, melding rich sweetness with a subtle saltiness.

Chocolate lovers and snack enthusiasts will find this recipe challenges conventional dessert boundaries with its innovative approach.

Each bite promises a harmonious dance of complementary tastes and textures that tantalize the palate.

Indulgent yet balanced, these brownies represent a culinary adventure worth savoring.

Pretzel Bottom Caramel Brownies with Sweet, Salty Crunch

• Crunch-Packed Flavor Explosion: The pretzel bottom delivers an unexpected crispy base that transforms traditional brownies, adding a salty-sweet crunch that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Decadent Texture Symphony: Combining fudgy chocolate brownies with silky caramel and a crunchy pretzel crust creates a multi-layered mouthfeel that delights every bite with contrasting textures.
• Quick Gourmet Indulgence: Despite looking complex, this recipe is surprisingly simple to make, allowing home bakers to create a professional-looking dessert with minimal technical skills and under an hour of active preparation time.

Ingredients That Bring Pretzel Bottom Caramel Brownies Together

• Pretzels: Crunchy base with a salty twist, choose salted or unsalted pretzels for preferred flavor intensity.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps bind pretzel crumbs and adds slight sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides moisture and helps pretzels stick together.

• Dark Chocolate: Rich, deep chocolate flavor, select high-quality chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates smooth, fudgy texture and enhances chocolate flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind brownie ingredients.
• Cocoa Powder: Intensifies chocolate taste and adds deep color.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Large Eggs: Gives structure and richness to brownies.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and moisture, brown sugar adds depth.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances and rounds out chocolate flavor.
• Chocolate Chunks (Optional): Extra chocolate burst for more indulgence.

• Granulated Sugar: Primary caramel base, creates rich amber color.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and prevents burning.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, silky caramel texture.
• Flaky Sea Salt (Optional): Adds contrasting salty crunch to sweet caramel.

How to Bake Caramel Brownies with a Pretzel Twist

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting edges hang over for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Pretzel Crust

• Food processor
• Rolling pin and zip-top bag

• Melted butter
• Granulated sugar

Press mixture firmly into pan bottom. Chill in refrigerator.

Step 3: Craft Chocolate Base

• Dark chocolate chunks
• Cocoa powder

Let mixture cool slightly.

Step 4: Whip Egg Mixture

• Eggs
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract

Mixture should look light and fluffy.

Step 5: Combine Chocolate and Egg Mixtures

Pour cooled chocolate into egg mixture. Mix thoroughly.

• Flour
• Salt
• Optional chocolate chunks

Step 6: Bake Brownie Layer

Pour batter over pretzel crust. Spread evenly.

Bake 20-30 minutes until toothpick shows moist crumbs.

Step 7: Create Caramel Topping

In saucepan, melt sugar until golden.

• Butter
• Heavy cream

Whisk continuously. Boil 1-2 minutes.

Remove from heat. Cool 5 minutes.

Step 8: Finish and Cool

Pour caramel over brownies.

Let cool completely (6-7 hours or overnight).

Optional: Sprinkle flaky sea salt before serving.

Tips for Chewy Layers and Crunchy Bases

• Crush Pretzels Perfectly: Use a food processor or rolling pin to create fine, even crumbs for a consistent pretzel crust base.
• Whip Eggs to Perfection: Beat eggs, sugars, and vanilla for exactly 5 minutes to achieve a light, airy texture that makes brownies extra fluffy.
• Melt Chocolate Carefully: Remove chocolate from heat immediately after melting to prevent burning and maintain a smooth, glossy consistency.
• Check Brownie Doneness Accurately: Insert a toothpick and look for a few moist crumbs- this ensures a fudgy, rich center without overcooking.
• Caramel Technique Matters: Stir sugar constantly while melting and add cream slowly to prevent burning and create a silky, luxurious caramel sauce.

Store and Reheat Pretzel Brownies Without Losing Texture

• Refrigerate: Store brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Seal brownies in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for 2-3 months. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Reheat: Warm individual brownies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore soft texture.

Tasty Pairings for Pretzel Bottom Caramel Brownies

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Match the rich, decadent brownies with a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. The wine's tannins beautifully cut through the sweetness and complement the chocolate's deep flavor.
• Serve with Salted Caramel Coffee: Brew a strong espresso or dark roast coffee and top with a dollop of whipped cream. The coffee's bitter notes enhance the caramel and chocolate layers.
• Complement with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop creamy vanilla ice cream alongside the brownies. The cold, smooth texture contrasts perfectly with the dense, chewy brownie and adds a delightful temperature contrast.
• Enjoy with Milk or Cream Liqueur: A small glass of Baileys Irish Cream or RumChata provides a smooth, sweet accompaniment that echoes the caramel and chocolate tones in the dessert.

Flavor Variations for This Sweet-and-Salty Favorite

• Nutty Pretzel Crunch: Replace standard pretzels with salted pecans or almonds for a deeper, richer base that adds extra crunch and nutty undertones to the brownie.
• Espresso Caramel Swirl: Incorporate strong espresso powder into the brownie batter and mix dark coffee notes into the caramel for a sophisticated, robust flavor profile.
• White Chocolate Raspberry Fusion: Substitute dark chocolate with white chocolate chips and add fresh raspberries between brownie layers for a tangy, sweet contrast that brightens the dessert's richness.
• Sea Salt Whiskey Caramel: Infuse the caramel sauce with a splash of whiskey and increase sea salt sprinkle for a complex, adult-friendly version that enhances the dessert's depth.

Pretzel Bottom Caramel Brownies Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Pretzel bottom caramel brownies combine salty-sweet perfection with rich chocolate intensity. Crisp pretzel layers create delightful texture beneath fudgy brownie depths, promising chocolate lovers a memorable dessert experience that satisfies complex cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pretzel Bottom:

• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) pretzels
• 30 grams (2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
• 80 grams (⅓ cup) butter, melted

Main Ingredients:

• 120 grams (½ cup) unsalted butter
• 200 grams (7 ounces) dark chocolate, chopped
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 100 grams (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 100 grams (½ cup) brown sugar

Dry and Flavor Ingredients:

• 15 grams (2 tablespoons) cocoa powder, sifted
• 80 grams (⅔ cup) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 50 grams (1.76 ounces) chopped dark chocolate
• 50 grams (1.76 ounces) chopped milk chocolate

Caramel:

• 200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 90 grams (3.17 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 80 grams (2.8 ounces) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pretzel foundation by pulverizing pretzels into fine crumbs using a food processor or manual crushing technique.
2. Create a cohesive pretzel base by blending crumbs with sugar and melted butter, then firmly pressing the mixture into the lined baking pan.
3. Refrigerate the pretzel crust while assembling the brownie components.
4. Gently melt butter in a saucepan, then incorporate chopped dark chocolate until achieving a silky, uniform texture.
5. Allow the chocolate mixture to cool slightly, preventing egg scrambling during combination.
6. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a separate mixing vessel.
7. Whip eggs, granulated and brown sugars, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a pale, voluminous consistency.
8. Gradually incorporate the cooled chocolate blend into the egg mixture, mixing thoroughly.
9. Delicately fold dry ingredients into the chocolate batter, ensuring minimal mixing to maintain a tender texture.
10. Distribute the brownie batter evenly over the chilled pretzel crust.
11. Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick reveals moist crumbs when inserted.
12. Craft the caramel by carefully melting sugar, watching for a golden amber color.
13. Introduce butter to the melted sugar, whisking continuously to create a smooth caramel base.
14. Stream in heavy cream while whisking, allowing the mixture to bubble and thicken.
15. Remove caramel from heat and let it cool for a brief period.
16. Drizzle the caramel sauce uniformly across the baked brownies.
17. Allow the dessert to set completely, ideally overnight, for optimal texture and flavor melding.
18. Optional: Garnish with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt before serving to enhance the sweet-savory profile.

Notes

• Crush pretzels finely for a solid, textured base that creates a delightful crunch beneath rich, gooey brownies.
• Beat eggs and sugars thoroughly to develop a light, airy brownie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Use dark chocolate for deep, intense flavor that complements the sweet caramel and salty pretzel bottom.
• Allow brownies to cool completely to achieve perfect cutting and setting, ensuring clean, beautiful slices.
• Drizzle homemade caramel while slightly warm for maximum flavor absorption and smooth, glossy appearance.
• Optional sea salt sprinkle enhances the sweet-savory contrast, elevating the entire dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 50 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg