Gooey Candy Bar Pretzel Brownies Recipe: Sweet-Salty Magic

Sweet tooth cravings meet their match with these irresistible candy bar pretzel brownies that combine decadent chocolate and salty crunch.

Chocolate lovers will immediately fall in love with this unique dessert mashup.

Layers of rich brownie batter get studded with chopped candy bars and crunchy pretzel pieces.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance between gooey and crisp textures.

My friends go crazy when I serve these at gatherings because they’re surprisingly simple to make.

Simple ingredients and minimal prep time mean you can whip up this crowd-pleasing treat in under an hour.

Prepare to be the dessert hero at your next potluck with these addictive brownies that everyone will be begging you to make again.

Brownies That Stack Candy, Pretzels, and Gooey Goodness

• Effortless Indulgence: Whip up these mouthwatering brownies with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Fusion: Experience the irresistible combination of sweet chocolate, salty pretzels, and delectable candy bars that'll make taste buds dance with joy.
• Versatile Party Showstopper: Ideal for potlucks, game nights, birthday celebrations, or simply satisfying those intense chocolate cravings without complicated preparation.
• Customizable Treat: Easily swap candy bars or add extra mix-ins to make the recipe uniquely yours, ensuring endless delicious variations.

Candy Bar Pretzel Brownies Ingredient Guide

• Butter: Rich and foundational for brownie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create fudgy consistency.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates brownie base.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Helps brownies rise slightly.

• Pretzels, Chopped Candy Bars, Chocolate Chips: Adds crunch, sweetness, and extra texture layers.

Creating Candy Bar Pretzel Brownies That Balance Sweet and Salty

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides. Give the paper a quick spray with cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Butter Base

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, pull it off the stove and stir in granulated sugar until they become best friends and create a smooth mixture.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Let the butter-sugar mix cool down for a moment. Crack eggs one at a time into the mixture, whisking thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and mix until everything looks silky and combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Salt
• Baking powder

Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix!

Step 5: Add Crunchy Goodies

• Crushed pretzels
• Chopped candy bars
• Chocolate chips (optional)

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the batter to your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Let the brownies cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper edges to lift them out, then slice into squares. Devour and enjoy your sweet-salty masterpiece!

Brownie Tips That Marry Pretzels and Candy Bars

• Pretzel Perfection: Crush pretzels coarsely to maintain a satisfying crunch and prevent them from becoming too powdery in the brownie batter.
• Chocolate Bar Selection: Choose candy bars with different textures like caramel, nougat, or nuts to add interesting layers of flavor and complexity to your brownies.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs are at room temperature for smoother batter integration and more consistent brownie texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense brownies and maintain a tender crumb.
• Cooling Technique: Let brownies cool completely before cutting to allow them to set properly and prevent crumbling, using a sharp knife for clean, precise slices.

Best Way to Save and Serve Candy Bar Pretzel Brownies

• Store brownies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent pretzel softening.
• Wrap entire brownie block tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Cut brownies into squares, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
• Warm refrigerated brownies in microwave for 10-15 seconds. For frozen brownies, microwave from frozen state for 20-30 seconds. Always check temperature to prevent overheating and maintain soft texture.

Pretzel Brownies Candy Bar Style Pairings

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Perfectly Paired Companions
• Craft a Creamy Milk Stout Companion: Select a rich, velvety milk stout beer that complements the sweet and salty brownie profile, balancing chocolate notes with smooth, slightly sweet undertones.
• Enhance with Salted Caramel Ice Cream: Scoop a generous portion of salted caramel ice cream alongside the brownies, amplifying the dessert's sweet-salty dynamic and providing a cool, creamy contrast.
• Serve with Espresso Martini: Mix a bold espresso martini featuring vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso to cut through the brownie's richness and provide a sophisticated adult beverage pairing.
• Create Vanilla Bourbon Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with a splash of bourbon and vanilla extract, dolloping it beside the brownies to add a luxurious, subtly spiced accompaniment that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Pretzel Brownie Candy Bar Mixes

• Gluten-Free Magic: Swap regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version. Replace wheat-based pretzels with gluten-free pretzels to maintain the crunchy texture.
• Vegan Chocolate Dream: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, and select dairy-free chocolate bars. Choose vegan-friendly pretzels to create a plant-based brownie experience.
• Low-Sugar Wellness: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use dark chocolate with minimal sugar content and select low-carb pretzels to reduce overall sugar intake while maintaining rich flavor.
• Nut-Free Comfort: Replace almond flour with oat flour if using gluten-free option. Select nut-free chocolate bars and ensure pretzels do not contain any nut cross-contamination for those with nut allergies.

FAQs

• Why use pretzels in brownies?

Pretzels add a delightful salty crunch that perfectly balances the rich chocolate, creating an irresistible sweet and savory contrast in every bite.

• Can I use different types of candy bars?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with various candy bars like Snickers, Twix, or Reese’s to customize the flavor and make the brownies uniquely yours.

• How do I prevent the brownies from being too dry?

Be careful not to overmix the batter and avoid overbaking. Remove the brownies from the oven when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs to ensure a fudgy texture.

• What's the best way to crush pretzels for this recipe?

Place pretzels in a sealed plastic bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. Aim for a mix of small and medium-sized pieces for the best texture.

Candy Bar Pretzel Brownies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible candy bar pretzel brownies blend sweet and salty flavors into one incredible dessert. Chocolate lovers will discover a perfect harmony of rich brownie base, crunchy pretzels, and melted candy bar pieces that create pure indulgence.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

Chocolate and Candy Additions:

• 1 1/2 cups assorted candy bars, chopped (Snickers, Milky Way, etc.)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed pretzels

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring slight overhang for effortless removal. Lightly coat the paper with a thin grease layer.
2. Create a rich base by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Immediately remove from warmth and integrate granulated sugar until thoroughly blended.
3. Temper the butter mixture by allowing it to cool slightly, then incorporate eggs individually, whisking smoothly after each addition. Infuse vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
4. Craft the dry foundation by sifting flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a separate vessel. Gradually merge these ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until just incorporated.
5. Elevate the texture by gently folding crushed pretzels and chopped candy bars into the batter. If desired, sprinkle in chocolate chips for extra decadence.
6. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, distributing evenly across the surface. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick reveals moist crumbs.
7. Allow the brownies to cool completely within the pan. Utilize parchment paper overhang to lift the entire batch, then slice into delectable squares ready for indulgence.

Notes

• Customize Pretzel Crunch by toasting pretzels briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crispiness before crushing and mixing into brownie batter.
• Experiment with different candy bars like Snickers, Twix, or Milky Way to create unique flavor combinations that complement the chocolate base.
• Consider using gluten-free pretzels and almond flour for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the rich, decadent texture of the brownies.
• Prevent chocolate from burning by allowing melted butter to cool slightly before adding eggs, ensuring a smooth and consistent brownie mixture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg