Ultimate Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars with Addictive Sweet and Salty Layers

These absolutely irresistible caramel pretzel crack bars feature a buttery shortbread base topped with crunchy pretzel pieces, rich homemade caramel, and a layer of melted chocolate that creates the perfect harmony of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy textures in every bite. Each bar delivers an addictive combination of brown butter shortbread, salty pretzel crunch, gooey caramel sweetness, and smooth chocolate finish that lives up to its 'crack' name by being utterly impossible to resist, perfect for holiday gift giving, potluck desserts, bake sales, or any time you want to create a dessert so delicious it should come with a warning label.

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Ultimate Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars with Addictive Sweet and Salty Layers - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Professional Confection Secrets for Perfect Caramel Pretzel Crack Bar Layers and Texture

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Shortbread Base Mastery:
Master the technique of creating tender, buttery shortbread foundation for layered bars.
Caramel Making Excellence:
Learn the skill of safely making smooth, rich caramel without burning or crystallizing.
Layer Assembly Technique:
Perfect the method of building layers for optimal texture and flavor distribution.
Chocolate Tempering Skills:
Master the art of creating smooth, glossy chocolate topping that sets properly.
Clean Cutting Mastery:
Learn optimal techniques for cutting bars cleanly without disturbing layers.
Ultimate Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars with Addictive Sweet and Salty Layers - secondary view

The Art of Ultimate Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars Addictive Confection Perfection

Perfect Shortbread Base Mastery
Master the technique of creating tender, buttery shortbread foundation for layered bars.
Caramel Making Excellence
Learn the skill of safely making smooth, rich caramel without burning or crystallizing.
Layer Assembly Technique
Perfect the method of building layers for optimal texture and flavor distribution.
Chocolate Tempering Skills
Master the art of creating smooth, glossy chocolate topping that sets properly.
Clean Cutting Mastery
Learn optimal techniques for cutting bars cleanly without disturbing layers.
Professional Confection Secrets for Perfect Caramel Pretzel Crack Bar Layers and Texture
Sugar Safety: Watch caramel carefully as it can burn quickly - use medium heat throughout process.
Temperature Control: Let each layer cool completely before adding next layer for clean separation.
Cutting Clean: Use sharp knife warmed in hot water and wiped clean between cuts.
Storage Wisdom: Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Pretzel Choice: Mini pretzels work best but regular pretzels can be broken into pieces.
Caramel Consistency: Caramel should coat spoon but still be pourable when ready.
Ultimate Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars with Addictive Sweet and Salty Layers - tertiary view

Ultimate Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars with Addictive Sweet and Salty Layers

These absolutely irresistible caramel pretzel crack bars feature a buttery shortbread base topped with crunchy pretzel pieces, rich homemade caramel, and a layer of melted chocolate that creates the perfect harmony of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy textures in every bite. Each bar delivers an addictive combination of brown butter shortbread, salty pretzel crunch, gooey caramel sweetness, and smooth chocolate finish that lives up to its 'crack' name by being utterly impossible to resist, perfect for holiday gift giving, potluck desserts, bake sales, or any time you want to create a dessert so delicious it should come with a warning label.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
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Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Shortbread Base:
02
2 cups all-purpose flour
03
1/2 cup powdered sugar
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1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
05
1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07
For the Pretzel Layer:
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4 cups mini pretzels, roughly chopped
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2 tablespoons melted butter
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1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
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For the Caramel Layer:
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1 cup granulated sugar
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6 tablespoons unsalted butter
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 teaspoon sea salt
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For the Chocolate Topping:
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8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
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4 oz milk chocolate, chopped
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2 tablespoons coconut oil
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1/4 cup mini pretzels for garnish
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For the Flavor Enhancement:
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
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1/2 teaspoon almond extract
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1 tablespoon corn syrup
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1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
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For the Texture Elements:
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1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
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2 tablespoons toffee bits
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Flaky sea salt for finishing
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For the Pan Preparation:
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Parchment paper
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Cooking spray
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Aluminum foil
35
For the Caramel Tools:
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Candy thermometer
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Heavy-bottomed saucepan
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Wooden spoon
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For the Assembly:
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Offset spatula
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Sharp knife for cutting
42
For Special Equipment:
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9x13 inch baking pan
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Electric mixer
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Double boiler or microwave
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Cooling racks
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Parchment paper sheets

Instructions

01
Preheat oven to 350°F and line 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper.
02
Spray parchment with cooking spray and extend paper over edges for easy removal.
03
Combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt in large mixing bowl.
04
Cut cold butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal.
05
Add vanilla extract and mix until dough just begins to come together.
06
Press shortbread dough evenly into bottom of prepared baking pan.
07
Bake shortbread base for 18-20 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
08
Meanwhile, roughly chop mini pretzels into bite-sized pieces for layer.
09
Toss chopped pretzels with melted butter and sea salt in bowl.
10
Remove shortbread from oven and immediately sprinkle pretzel mixture evenly.
11
Press pretzels gently into warm shortbread to help them adhere.
12
Return to oven for additional 8-10 minutes until pretzels are toasted.
13
While base bakes, prepare caramel by heating sugar in heavy saucepan.
14
Cook sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until amber colored.
15
Remove from heat and carefully whisk in butter until completely melted.
16
Slowly add heavy cream while whisking constantly to prevent splashing.
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Return to low heat and stir until smooth, then add vanilla and salt.
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Pour hot caramel evenly over pretzel layer immediately after removing from oven.
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Use offset spatula to spread caramel to edges if needed.
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Let cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours.
21
Melt chocolate and coconut oil in double boiler until smooth and glossy.
22
Pour melted chocolate over cooled caramel layer and spread evenly.
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Sprinkle with additional pretzel pieces, nuts, and flaky sea salt.
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Refrigerate for 30 minutes until chocolate is set before cutting into bars.