If you are craving a treat that perfectly balances salty, sweet, and crunchy textures, the Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars Recipe is exactly what you need. These bars bring together a crisp pretzel base, rich vegan caramel layers, and smooth dark chocolate topping in a way that feels indulgent yet surprisingly simple to make. Whether you’re baking for a gathering or a special snack to savor on your own, these bars deliver a satisfying depth of flavor that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, combining to create a symphony of flavors and textures. From the crunchy pretzels to the silky caramel made with vegan butter and coconut cream, every element adds its own magic to the final bars.
- 190 g all-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy base of the pretzel crust, providing structure and a pleasant crumb.
- 120 g vegan butter: Adds richness and moisture, essential for both the crust and caramel layers.
- 24 g soft brown sugar: Delivers a hint of molasses flavor and sweetness to the crust.
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt: Enhances all flavors while balancing the sweetness.
- 15 ml water: Helps bind the dry ingredients in the crust.
- 220 g soft brown sugar: The key to developing that luscious, caramel-like richness in the topping.
- 320 g sweetened condensed coconut milk (or oat milk): Provides a creamy, dairy-free foundation for the caramel.
- 60 g coconut cream: Intensifies the caramel’s silkiness and flavor depth.
- 35 g white miso paste: Adds an unexpected umami punch, perfectly balancing sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses warm, inviting aroma into the caramel layer.
- ½ teaspoon sea salt: A pinch to enhance the caramel’s flavor contrast.
- 200 g dark chocolate: The crowning glory, melting smoothly into a decadent topping.
- 30 g vegan butter: Incorporated into the chocolate topping for extra gloss and richness.
- 60 g vegan pretzels: Crushed and folded into the caramel for that signature salty crunch.
How to Make Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pretzel Crust
Start by combining the all-purpose flour, vegan butter, brown sugar, sea salt, and water in a mixing bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend everything until it forms a crumbly dough that holds together when pressed. Press this mixture firmly into a lined baking pan to create a crunchy, golden base that will hold the toppings perfectly.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Layer
In a saucepan, melt the vegan butter with the brown sugar and sweetened condensed coconut milk over medium heat, stirring continuously. Add the coconut cream, white miso paste, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens to a luscious caramel consistency. This step requires patience but watching the ingredients transform into velvety caramel is pure magic.
Step 3: Incorporate Pretzels into Caramel
Take about half of the crushed vegan pretzels and gently fold them into the warm caramel mixture. This will create delightful bursts of salty crunch in every bite. Pour the caramel evenly over the prepared pretzel crust, spreading it carefully to cover all the edges without mixing layers together.
Step 4: Add Chocolate Topping and Final Touches
Gently melt the dark chocolate with vegan butter in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in short bursts in a microwave, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, then sprinkle the remaining crushed pretzels on top. Chill the bars in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set and the bars are firm enough to slice into squares.
How to Serve Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars Recipe
Garnishes
For a finishing touch that’s both beautiful and delicious, sprinkle flaky sea salt or drizzle some extra melted dark chocolate on top before serving. You can also add a few whole pretzels for visual appeal and that inviting crunch.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a cup of rich, creamy coffee. Their sweet-salty profile complements beverages and desserts that bring out the caramel notes and dark chocolate.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn these bars into bite-sized treats by cutting them into cute squares or rectangles and serving them on a decorative platter. For a party, stack them in a pyramid shape or wrap individual bars in parchment paper for easy grab-and-go snacking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their fresh, fudgy texture. They will keep well for up to a week, making them a perfect make-ahead treat.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these bars later, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. Properly stored, they stay delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before serving for the best taste and texture.
Reheating
To bring back that just-made softness, warm individual bars gently in a microwave for a few seconds or in a low oven for 5-7 minutes. This step revives the gooey caramel and melty chocolate, making every bite as delightful as the first.
FAQs
Can I use regular butter instead of vegan butter?
Absolutely! While this recipe is designed vegan, regular butter will work just as well if you don’t have dietary restrictions. It might impart a slightly different flavor but will keep the bars rich and delicious.
What can I substitute for the sweetened condensed coconut milk?
You can use sweetened condensed oat milk as an alternative. Both options create a creamy caramel layer, but choose based on your preference or dietary needs.
How do I crush the pretzels without making them too powdery?
Place the pretzels in a sealed plastic bag and gently tap with a rolling pin or use your hands to break them into small, bite-sized pieces. Avoid pulverizing them completely to retain that satisfying crunch.
Is white miso paste necessary?
White miso adds a subtle umami depth that enhances the caramel’s flavor, but if you don’t have it, you can omit it. The bars will still be deliciously sweet and salty, just with a slightly different flavor profile.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Since the crust requires all-purpose flour and pretzels typically contain gluten, you’ll need special gluten-free substitutes like gluten-free flour blends and pretzels to adapt this recipe. Keep in mind the texture might vary slightly with substitutions.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like the joy of biting into a Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars Recipe, where sweet meets salty and soft meets crunchy in the very best way. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to impress friends or treat themselves to something truly irresistible. I encourage you to give these a try — they might just become your new go-to snack or dessert that’s impossible to share!
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Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (caramel cooked on stovetop, no baking required)
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars combine a buttery vegan shortbread crust with a rich, creamy coconut caramel layer infused with white miso for depth, topped with dark chocolate and crunchy vegan pretzels for the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy. Perfect for a delicious plant-based treat that satisfies your chocolate and caramel cravings without any dairy.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 190 g all-purpose flour
- 120 g vegan butter
- 24 g soft brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 15 ml water
For the Caramel Layer
- 120 g vegan butter
- 220 g soft brown sugar
- 320 g sweetened condensed coconut milk (or sweetened condensed oat milk, not gluten free)
- 60 g coconut cream
- 35 g white miso paste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
For the Topping
- 200 g dark chocolate
- 30 g vegan butter
- 60 g vegan pretzels
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, soft brown sugar, and sea salt. Cut in the 120 g vegan butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add water and stir until the dough comes together. Press the dough evenly into a lined baking pan to form the crust. Chill it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.
- Make the caramel layer: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the 120 g vegan butter along with the soft brown sugar. Add the sweetened condensed coconut milk, coconut cream, and white miso paste. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and sea salt.
- Assemble and chill: Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the chilled crust, spreading it out smoothly. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1-2 hours until the caramel is firm.
- Top with chocolate and pretzels: Melt the dark chocolate with the 30 g vegan butter using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring until glossy and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the set caramel layer and spread evenly. Immediately sprinkle the vegan pretzels evenly on top. Return to the refrigerator to chill until the chocolate is set. Cut into 16 bars and serve.
Notes
- Use sweetened condensed coconut milk or oat milk to maintain the vegan aspect, but note that oat milk version is not gluten free.
- White miso paste adds a subtle umami flavor to the caramel that enhances its depth.
- Chilling the crust and caramel thoroughly before adding the topping ensures neat slicing.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- These bars are naturally gluten-containing due to all-purpose flour and pretzels unless gluten-free substitutes are used.
