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- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 cups granulated sugar - 4 large eggs - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips - 1 cup pretzel sticks, chopped (plus extra for topping) - 1 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) - Sea salt flakes for garnish Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness in the brownies. Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps create a nice crust. Eggs give the brownies structure and moisture. The cocoa powder provides that rich chocolate flavor we all love. Pretzel sticks add a salty crunch that pairs well with the sweet caramel. Sea salt flakes enhance the flavor. They add a fun crunch and contrast with the sweet caramel. You can use dark chocolate chips for a richer taste or stick with semi-sweet for a balanced flavor. - Dairy-Free: Swap unsalted butter for a plant-based butter. Use dairy-free chocolate chips. - Gluten-Free: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. - Lower Sugar: Use a sugar substitute or reduce the sugar by one-half cup. - Egg-Free: Use flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water per egg). These swaps let everyone enjoy these tasty brownies, no matter their diet. {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. While the oven warms up, grab a 9x13 inch baking pan. Grease it well or use parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift out the brownies later. In a large bowl, pour in 1 cup of melted butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar. Whisk these together until they look smooth. Next, add 4 large eggs one by one. Mix each egg in fully before adding the next. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract for flavor. Now, in a separate bowl, sift together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gradually mix this dry blend into your wet ingredients. Stir gently to keep the brownies fudgy. Then, fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of chopped pretzel sticks. This adds great flavor and crunch. Pour half of the brownie mix into your pan. Spread it evenly with a spatula. Drizzle half of your salted caramel sauce over this layer. Spoon the rest of the brownie batter on top and smooth it out. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce and sprinkle chopped pretzels for a nice touch. Before baking, sprinkle the top with sea salt flakes. This enhances the sweet and salty taste. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Check if they are done by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs. After baking, let the brownies cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Then, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut them into squares. Enjoy your delicious salted caramel pretzel brownies! To get fudgy brownies, do not overmix your batter. After combining wet and dry ingredients, stop as soon as they blend. This keeps the texture soft. Use good quality chocolate chips; they give a rich flavor. When baking, check at 25 minutes. A toothpick should come out with some moist crumbs, not clean. This sign means they are still fudgy inside. For a perfect drizzle, heat your salted caramel sauce. Warm sauce flows easily and creates beautiful patterns. Use a spoon or a squeeze bottle for control. Start from the center and work your way out. Drizzle both layers of brownies for full caramel flavor. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; a little mess adds charm! Serve these brownies on a rustic wooden board for a cozy feel. Drizzle extra caramel over the top before serving. Add a sprinkle of sea salt flakes to enhance flavor. Top with more chopped pretzels for crunch. For a fun twist, serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. This makes each bite even more delightful! Pro Tips Use Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips to enhance the rich flavor of your brownies. Don’t Overmix: When mixing the dry ingredients into the wet, stir gently until just combined to keep your brownies fudgy. Chill for Better Cuts: For cleaner edges when cutting, chill the brownies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing. Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to add toppings like crushed pretzels or nuts before baking for extra crunch and flavor. {{image_4}} You can make these delicious brownies gluten-free. Use 1 cup of gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. This swap keeps the texture rich and fudgy. The rest of the recipe stays the same. You won't miss the regular flour at all! Feel free to mix in extras to customize your brownies. Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts add a nice crunch. You can also add a splash of almond or mint extract for a fun twist. Just remember to keep your additions in balance with the other flavors. These brownies shine when served warm. Try them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a classic treat. A drizzle of extra salted caramel sauce will make them even more special. You can also serve them with whipped cream for added creaminess. Enjoy them however you like! To keep your salted caramel pretzel brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This prevents them from drying out. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if you stack them. They will stay tasty at room temperature for up to four days. If you want them to last longer, put them in the fridge. They can stay good for about a week when chilled. These brownies freeze well. Cut them into squares before freezing for easy serving later. Wrap each square in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy, just let them thaw in the fridge overnight. To enjoy your brownies warm, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the brownies on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Heat them for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will make them soft and gooey again. You can also microwave a single brownie for about 15 to 20 seconds. Just be sure not to overheat, or they may dry out. Enjoy your warm treat with a drizzle of extra caramel for a delightful touch! Yes, you can make these brownies ahead of time. Bake them and let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them for up to three months. Just let them thaw in the fridge when you're ready to enjoy them. To check if the 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 ready. If it comes out clean, they may be over-baked. Keep an eye on them as they bake. If you don’t have salted caramel sauce, you can use chocolate sauce or peanut butter. You can also make a quick caramel with sugar, butter, and cream. Just add a pinch of salt to give it that salty flavor. Absolutely! You can use regular pretzels instead of sticks. Just chop them into smaller pieces for even distribution in the brownies. This will still give you that great salty crunch you want in each bite. This guide walks you through making delicious brownies. We covered key ingredients and substitutions, plus easy steps to bake them just right. You learned tips for fudgy texture, caramel drizzling, and fun variations. Proper storage keeps them fresh, and FAQs answered your burning questions. Remember, you can adjust flavors to fit your taste. Enjoy experimenting and sharing your tasty brownie creations with friends and family!

Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies

Deliciously fudgy brownies with a delightful blend of 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 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup pretzel sticks, chopped (plus extra for topping)
  • 1 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 pinch sea salt flakes for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped pretzel sticks into the brownie batter.
  • Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, then drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce over it. Spoon the remaining brownie batter on top and smooth it out, then drizzle the rest of the caramel sauce and sprinkle with additional chopped pretzels.
  • Lightly sprinkle the top with sea salt flakes before baking.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
  • Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

For an impressive finish, serve the brownies on a rustic wooden board, drizzled with a bit more salted caramel and dusted with a sprinkle of sea salt.
Keyword brownies, dessert, pretzels, salted caramel