These No Bake Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars sound absolutely delicious and are a perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors. They’re also incredibly easy to make. Here’s a detailed version of your recipe:
Ingredients:
- 11.5 oz bag of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips (reserve about ¼ cup for later)
- 11 oz bag of Kraft Caramel Bits
- ½ cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips
- 8 oz of Mini Twist Pretzels
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
- Prepare Baking Sheet:
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the chocolate from sticking and make it easier to remove the bars once they are set.
- Melt the Chocolate:
- Place most of the Hershey’s chocolate chips in a small glass bowl, reserving about ¼ cup for later.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.
- Spread the Chocolate:
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the prepared cookie sheet. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the chocolate into an even layer.
- Add Pretzels:
- Arrange the mini twist pretzels on top of the melted chocolate. It’s okay if they overlap; this will add a nice crunchy texture to every bite.
- Melt the Caramel:
- In a separate bowl, combine the Kraft caramel bits with 2 tablespoons of water. Melt them in the microwave for 1 ½ to 2 minutes. Stir the caramel until it’s smooth and fully melted.
- Add Caramel Layer:
- Drizzle and gently spread the melted caramel over the layer of pretzels. Be sure to cover as much of the pretzels as possible. Let this cool for a few minutes.
- Melt Remaining Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chips:
- Melt the reserved ¼ cup of chocolate chips in the microwave, then drizzle over the cooled caramel.
- Repeat this process with the Reese’s peanut butter chips, melting them in the microwave and then drizzling over the top.
- Cool the Bars:
- Allow the bars to cool completely. This will help the layers set and make it easier to cut into bars. You can speed up this process by placing them in the refrigerator.
- Cut and Serve:
- Once everything is set and cooled, cut the bars into desired sizes.
- Serve and enjoy these delicious No Bake Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars!
Tips:
- For a fun variation, you can add a sprinkle of sea salt over the caramel layer for an extra salty kick.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
These bars are a perfect treat for parties, family gatherings, or just when you need a sweet and salty snack. Enjoy making and eating them!