Description
Indulgent Pretzel Bottom Caramel Brownies blend salty-sweet perfection with rich chocolate layers that dance across your palate. Crisp pretzel crusts provide a delightful crunch, promising pure dessert bliss for chocolate enthusiasts seeking an extraordinary treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Crust Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (about 2 cups whole) crushed pretzels
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 0.25 cup brown sugar, packed
Brownie Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1.25 cups granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup cocoa powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Caramel and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Pulverize pretzels into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin. Blend crushed pretzels with melted butter and brown sugar until thoroughly combined.
- Distribute the pretzel mixture uniformly across a greased 9×9-inch baking pan, creating a compact base layer. Roast the crust in a 350F oven for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Craft the caramel sauce by gently melting butter in a saucepan. Incorporate brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk continuously until the mixture simmers and thickens slightly.
- Cascade the warm caramel evenly over the baked pretzel foundation, allowing it to settle and slightly cool.
- Prepare brownie batter according to package instructions or preferred recipe, ensuring smooth incorporation of eggs, oil, and water. Optional: Fold in chocolate chips for enhanced decadence.
- Carefully pour brownie mixture atop the caramel layer, spreading gently to create an even surface.
- Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges with minimal moist crumbs.
- Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan for approximately 30 minutes. For optimal texture, refrigerate for one hour to stabilize the caramel layer.
- Slice into neat squares and serve chilled for maximum flavor and structural integrity.
Notes
- Crush pretzels finely to create a uniform, crispy base that provides a delightful textural contrast to the soft, gooey brownie.
- Adjust pretzel salt content by using unsalted pretzels and adding a pinch of sea salt to control overall saltiness in the dessert.
- Consider using gluten-free pretzels and gluten-free brownie mix to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Experiment with different chocolate variations like dark, milk, or white chocolate chips to customize the brownie’s richness and flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg