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To make salted caramel pretzel brownies, you will need the following ingredients: - 1 cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 cups granulated sugar - 4 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup pretzels, crushed (plus extra for topping) - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 3/4 cup store-bought salted caramel sauce - Sea salt for garnishing Each ingredient plays a key role. The unsalted butter gives the brownies a rich flavor. Granulated sugar adds sweetness and moisture. Eggs bind the mix and create a soft texture. Vanilla extract enhances the taste, making it more inviting. Flour and cocoa powder form the base, creating that perfect brownie structure. Baking powder helps them rise slightly. Salt balances all the sweetness. Crushed pretzels add crunch, while chocolate chips provide gooey goodness. Lastly, salted caramel sauce creates a sweet, salty swirl. Topping with sea salt adds a delightful finish. Enjoy gathering these ingredients! They will come together to make a treat that you won't forget. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, grab a 9x13 inch baking pan. Lightly grease it with butter or spray. Line the pan with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some paper hanging over the edges. This helps you lift the brownies out later. In a big bowl, mix one cup of melted butter with two cups of sugar. Whisk until the mix is smooth. Add four large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Then stir in one teaspoon of vanilla extract. In another bowl, sift together one cup of flour, one cup of cocoa powder, one teaspoon of baking powder, and half a teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet mix. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Now, gently fold in one cup of crushed pretzels and one cup of chocolate chips. Pour half of the brownie batter into the pan. Spread it evenly to make the first layer. Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce over this layer. Let it zigzag across the surface. Now, pour the rest of the brownie batter on top and smooth it out. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over this layer, too. Use a knife to swirl it lightly for a marbled look. Sprinkle extra crushed pretzels on top, and add a sprinkle of sea salt. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Check with a toothpick. It should come out with a few moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift them out and cool completely on a wire rack. To get soft and fudgy brownies, avoid overmixing. When you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. This keeps the brownies tender. Checking for doneness is key. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not clean. This tells you they are still fudgy and not overbaked. You can make these brownies even better! Consider adding nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for crunch. You can also try swapping half the cocoa with dark chocolate for richer taste. If you love peanut butter, swirl some into the batter. It adds a fun twist to the flavor. For a stunning look, serve these brownies on a nice platter. Drizzle extra caramel sauce on top for extra flair. Add whole pretzels for a fun touch. You can also sprinkle sea salt lightly on each piece. This enhances the sweet and salty balance. Enjoy serving these treats to friends and family! Pro Tips Use High-Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer flavor that elevates your brownies. Adjust Caramel Consistency: If your caramel sauce is too thick, gently warm it in the microwave to make it easier to drizzle. Don’t Overbake: For fudgy brownies, keep an eye on the baking time and remove them from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let Them Cool: Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting; this helps them set and makes for cleaner squares. {{image_4}} You can make these brownies gluten-free easily. Use a gluten-free flour blend. This blend works well in place of all-purpose flour. Just be sure to check the label. It should be safe for baking. The taste stays rich and delicious. Want some crunch? Add nuts! Chopped walnuts or pecans give a nice bite. Mix about half a cup into the batter. You can also sprinkle some on top with the pretzels. This adds extra texture to each bite. Feel free to switch up the caramel. You can use homemade caramel if you prefer. This gives a fresh taste. If you want a twist, try flavored caramel. Salted caramel works great, but chocolate or vanilla caramel adds fun flavors, too. To keep your salted caramel pretzel brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep the container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, refrigeration is an option. However, note that cold storage may change the texture. Freezing is a great way to save brownies for later. Cut the brownies into squares and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped brownies in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy them, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. To reheat your brownies, simply microwave them for about 10-15 seconds. This process warms them up and restores their gooey texture. If you prefer, you can also warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes. Just cover them with foil to keep them from drying out. Enjoy your brownies warm, with a drizzle of extra caramel if you like! Yes, you can make these brownies ahead of time. Once they cool, store them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to five days. You can also freeze them for later. Wrap each brownie in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can last for about three months in the freezer. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving. You can use several egg substitutes in this recipe. Here are a few options: - Flaxseed meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes. - Applesauce: Use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for each egg. - Greek yogurt: Replace each egg with 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt. These options help keep your brownies moist and tasty. To check if your brownies are done, use a toothpick. Insert it into the center of the brownies. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they are done. If it comes out wet with batter, they need more time. Bake them for about 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on them toward the end to avoid overbaking. Enjoy that fudgy goodness! We covered all the key steps to make delicious brownies. You learned about the simple ingredients, easy instructions, and useful tips. Remember to check the texture and taste before serving. You can even try different variations to suit your preferences. Store any leftovers properly to enjoy later. With these pointers, you can bake perfect brownies every time. Happy baking!

Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies

Decadent brownies infused with salted caramel and crunchy pretzels.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pretzels, crushed (plus extra for topping)
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 0.75 cup store-bought salted caramel sauce
  • to taste sea salt for garnishing

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by greasing it lightly and lining it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the granulated sugar, whisking until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Add the eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure they are well incorporated. Afterward, stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
  • In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the brownies tender.
  • Gently fold in the crushed pretzels and chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter for balanced flavor and texture.
  • Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to form the first layer.
  • Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce over this layer of brownie batter, allowing it to zigzag across the surface. Then, pour the remaining brownie batter over it and smooth it out gently.
  • Take the second half of the caramel sauce and drizzle it over the top layer of brownie batter. Use a knife to swirl the caramel lightly into the batter for a marbled effect, inviting a mix of flavors in each bite.
  • Sprinkle extra crushed pretzels on top, followed by a delicate dusting of sea salt to enhance the flavor and add a crunchy contrast to the gooey brownies.
  • Bake the brownies in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. They’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs—this ensures they're fudgy and delicious.
  • Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

For an eye-catching presentation, serve the brownies on a decorative platter drizzled with extra caramel sauce and topped with whole pretzels for a delightful finishing touch. Enjoy every decadent bite!
Keyword brownies, caramel, dessert, pretzels