Irresistible Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars: Your Ultimate Sweet & Salty Dessert Recipe
Indulge in the perfect harmony of sweet and salty with these incredibly easy-to-make Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars. Featuring a rich, buttery cookie base, luscious gooey caramel, crunchy pecans, and salty pretzels, this dessert is an absolute dream come true for any occasion.
Cookie baking season, holiday gatherings, or simply a craving for something extraordinary – these Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars are truly a year-round delight! The magic of sweet and salty combined never fails to impress, and this recipe elevates that classic combination to new heights. Imagine sinking your teeth into a treat that’s simultaneously soft, chewy, gooey, and delightfully crunchy. With just six core ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up these decadent bars in no time. They are perfect for a last-minute cookie exchange, a quick weeknight dessert, or simply to satisfy your sweet and salty cravings. Get ready to fall in love with a dessert that’s as simple to make as it is utterly delicious.
The allure of sweet and salty together is undeniable, and these bars exemplify that harmonious blend. We start with a tender, buttery cookie base, providing a comforting sweetness. This is then generously topped with a layer of warm, gooey melted caramel, creating that irresistible chewiness. To complete the experience, a sprinkle of crushed pretzels introduces a satisfying crunch and a delightful savory note, further enhanced by a pinch of coarse salt to truly amplify that desirable salted caramel flavor. It’s truly the best of both worlds: perfectly balanced, not overly sweet, and offering a fantastic contrast of textures that will leave everyone reaching for more.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars
- Effortlessly Easy: With only 6 simple ingredients, these bars come together with very little fuss. Many of the components are readily available at your local grocery store, making preparation a breeze even for novice bakers. Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your delicious creation!
- Incredibly Fast: Thanks to a clever shortcut using store-bought cookie dough (or your favorite homemade recipe), you can assemble these bars in approximately 5 minutes flat! The majority of the time is hands-off baking and cooling, allowing you to quickly prepare a gooey, sweet, and salty treat perfect for any impromptu gathering or an unexpected craving.
- Decadently Delicious: What truly sets these bars apart is the luxurious, gooey caramel layer. It transforms a simple cookie bar into a show-stopping dessert. Guests will marvel at the rich cookie base, the delightful crunch of the salty pretzels and buttery pecans, all embraced by that irresistible, luscious caramel. Despite the minimal ingredients, each bite delivers a complex and satisfying symphony of flavors and textures.
Essential Ingredients for Your Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these heavenly bars. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few tips:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: For ultimate convenience and a fantastic time-saver, store-bought chocolate chip cookie dough is your best friend here. It provides a consistent and delicious base. However, if you prefer the scratch-made route, a batch of your favorite homemade chocolate chip cookie dough will work wonderfully. My Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe offers a great starting point for a homemade base.
- Pecans: These provide a classic buttery, nutty flavor that complements the caramel beautifully. Feel free to toast them lightly before adding for an enhanced aroma and crunch. While pecans are traditional, walnuts would also make an excellent substitute if you prefer their earthy notes.
- Caramels: A bag of individually wrapped caramels is key for that signature gooey, chewy topping. Make sure to unwrap them all before you start melting to save time and effort.
- Milk: Just a couple of tablespoons of milk help to thin out the melted caramels, making them smooth, pourable, and easier to spread evenly over the cookie base. Any milk type will work, from whole to skim.
- Pretzels: The star of the “salty” component! Choose classic salted pretzels and break them into small, bite-sized pieces. These provide that crucial crunchy texture and savory balance to the sweetness.
- Coarse Salt: A final sprinkle of coarse salt, such as sea salt or kosher salt, is essential. It intensifies the salted caramel flavor and adds a beautiful sparkling finish that tempts the eye as well as the palate.
How To Make Irresistible Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars
Creating these delightful bars is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:
- Prepare The Cookie Base: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium mixing bowl, crumble your chocolate chip cookie dough. Add 1/2 cup of the chopped pecans to the dough. If using store-bought dough, use your hands to thoroughly incorporate the pecans into the crumbled dough. If you’re using a homemade dough, simply mix in the pecans along with the chocolate chips as per your recipe. Once well combined, press this mixture evenly into an ungreased 9-inch square baking dish. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely for at least 30 minutes on a wire rack before proceeding to ensure a stable base.
- Melt The Gooey Caramels: While the cookie base is cooling, unwrap all your caramels and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the milk. Microwave the caramels on high power in 60-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval. Continue this process until the caramels are fully melted and perfectly smooth, with no lumps remaining. Be careful not to overheat.
- Add The Delicious Toppings: Once the cookie base has cooled, pour the warm, melted caramel evenly over the top, spreading it gently with a spatula to cover the entire surface. Immediately sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped pecans and the broken pretzel pieces over the caramel. Gently press them down lightly into the caramel layer so they adhere well. Finish by evenly sprinkling the coarse salt over the entire surface.
- Allow to Set and Serve: Let the bars cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or until the caramel has completely set and is firm to the touch. This step is crucial for clean, easy slicing. Once set, slice into squares or rectangles and serve!
Tips for Perfect Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars Every Time
Achieving bakery-quality Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars is easy with a few helpful tips:
- Don’t Overbake the Base: Keep an eye on the cookie dough base. It should be golden brown around the edges and set in the center. Overbaking can lead to a dry, crumbly base, detracting from the gooey caramel.
- Even Pretzel Crushing: For the best texture, aim for small, varied pretzel pieces, not powder. Placing pretzels in a zip-top bag and gently crushing them with a rolling pin works perfectly.
- Smooth Caramel is Key: When melting the caramels, stir well between each microwave interval. This ensures a silky-smooth caramel without any burnt spots. If you prefer, you can also melt the caramels and milk in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Press Toppings Gently: After sprinkling the pecans and pretzels, gently press them into the warm caramel. This helps them adhere and ensures every slice gets a good share of toppings.
- Patience is a Virtue: Resist the urge to slice the bars before the caramel has fully set. Allowing them to cool completely (1-2 hours or even chilling in the fridge for 30 minutes) will result in clean, non-sticky slices.
- Quality Ingredients: While shortcuts are great, using good quality cookie dough, fresh pecans, and your favorite brand of caramels can make a noticeable difference in flavor.
Delicious Variations & Substitutions
While the classic Butter Pecan Pretzel Bar is perfect as is, feel free to get creative with these delicious variations:
- Nut Swaps: Not a fan of pecans? Walnuts, toasted almonds, or even chopped peanuts can be used as a tasty alternative, each offering its unique flavor profile.
- Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra layer of indulgence, melt some chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) and drizzle it over the set caramel layer. Let the chocolate harden before slicing.
- Add Mini Chocolate Chips: Stir some mini chocolate chips into the melted caramel before pouring it over the cookie base for even more chocolatey goodness.
- Different Cookie Base: Experiment with other ready-made cookie doughs like sugar cookie dough or peanut butter cookie dough for a different flavor foundation.
- Spice It Up: A tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg stirred into the cookie dough can add a warm, cozy note, especially appealing during the fall and winter months.
Storing Your Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars
These delightful butter pecan pretzel bars are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store well for a few days, making them a fantastic make-ahead dessert. To keep them at their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or for extended freshness, you can also store them in the refrigerator, but allow them to come closer to room temperature before serving for the best texture. If you plan to make them ahead for an event, you can bake the cookie base a day in advance and then top it with the melted caramel, pecans, and pretzels on the day you plan to serve them.
More Easy Dessert Recipes to Explore
If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these bars, you’re in for a treat! Here are more easy dessert recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth:
- Chocolate Toffee Bars
- Pumpkin Delight
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
- Chocolate Cobbler
- Oreo Lasagna
- Oatmeal Cake
Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
16
Pin Recipe
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Ingredients
-
1 roll Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough -
3/4 cup
chopped pecans
, divided -
1 bag, 11 oz caramels, unwrapped -
2 Tablespoon
milk
-
1 cup pretzels, broken into small pieces -
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350º F.
-
In medium bowl, crumble cookie dough; stir or knead in 1/2 cup of the pecans until well mixed and evenly combined. Press evenly in ungreased 9-inch square pan.
-
Bake for about 20 minutes until set and golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 30 minutes.
-
In a microwavable safe bowl, microwave caramels and milk uncovered on High 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 60 seconds, until melted and smooth.
-
Pour evenly over the baked bars. Sprinkle with pretzels and remaining 1/4 cup pecans, pressing slightly into caramel. Sprinkle with salt.
-
Let cool for 1-2 hours, or until caramel is set.
-
Slice to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving:
1
g
|
Calories:
167
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
25
g
|
Protein:
2
g
|
Saturated Fat:
1
g
|
Cholesterol:
2
mg
|
Sodium:
177
mg
|
Sugar:
15
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
Dessert Recipes
American
16
167
Butter Pecan Pretzel Bars
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