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Salted Caramel Brownies

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These Salted Caramel Brownies are sure to become your new favorite sweet and salty dessert. Soft brownies topped with pretzels, gooey caramel, and chocolate is always a good idea.

Three salted caramel brownies stacked on top of each other on a white plate.

Salted Caramel Brownies

Salted caramel takes me down every.single.time!!! I have no self control when there is a sweet and salty drink or dessert around. Anything sweet and salty or chocolate and peanut butter is my kryptonite.  I can’t resist it at all. 

A few years ago Starbucks came out with a salted caramel brownie pop! Yes, it is as fabulous as it sounds.  And yes, I paid the 1.50 price for one little brownie pop when I saw them! I justified it by calling it research. LOL!

I was inspired to bake these salted caramel brownies with pretzels because of those little brownie pops. These sweet and salty brownies are my favorite dessert at the moment. Here is why we love them.

  • Made from a box mix.
  • A thick layer of gooey salted caramel.
  • Chocolate Topping.
  • Pretzels and Sea Salt
  • White chocolate drizzles.

Overhead picture of caramel brownies topped with chocolate and little pretzels.

Ingredients for Caramel Brownies with Pretzels

Using a box brownie mix makes these caramel brownies come together a little quicker. 

  • Brownie Mix – Make sure you buy a mix that is for a 9×13 pan size.
  • Caramel Baking Bits – I like to use the little caramel bits because they melt faster.
  • Heavy Cream – Helps to thin out the caramel and chocolate toppings.
  • Pretzels – Small twists or sticks are best for breaking into pieces for the topping.
  • Chocolate Chips – you can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips for these brownies.
  • White Chocolate Melts – A little bit drizzled on top makes the brownies look like they came from a bakery.
  • Sea Salt – Adds a great salty flavor to the sweet brownies.

A white plate with a stack of three caramel brownies with pretzels on it.

How to make Salted Caramel Brownies

One bite of these fudgy chocolate brownies topped with gooey caramel, salty pretzels, and more chocolate and you will never want plain brownies again. Trust me…they are that good.

  1. Bake and cool a pan of brownies.  Feel free to use a box brownie mix or make a double batch of these Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies. Either one works and will taste amazing.
  2. Heat a bag of caramels or caramel bits and heavy cream in a pan over low-medium heat until it is melted and creamy. 
  3. Stir pretzels pieces into the caramel and spread it on top of the cooled brownies. Let set for a few minutes.
  4. Heat chocolate chips and heavy cream in the microwave for 60 seconds.
  5. Stir until melted and creamy, then spread evenly on top of the brownies.
  6. Press itty bitty pretzels into the chocolate and let it set.
  7. Drizzle white chocolate melts across the pan of brownies and sprinkle with coarse ground sea salt.
  8. Let the chocolate set before cutting into squares.

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Three salted caramel brownies stacked on a plate with white chocolate drizzles and pretzels on top.

More Salted Caramel Recipes

Three salted caramel brownies stacked on a white plate.

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Three salted caramel brownies stacked together on a white plate.

Salted Caramel Brownies Recipe

Yield: 24 brownies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

These Salted Caramel Brownies are sure to become your new favorite sweet and salty dessert. Soft brownies topped with pretzels, gooey caramel, and chocolate is never a bad idea.

Ingredients

  • 1 - 9x13 box brownie mix
  • 1 - 11 ounce bag caramel baking bits
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream + 2 1/2 Tablespoons, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups pretzel pieces + more whole itty bitty pretzels for on top
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup white chocolate melts
  • coarse ground sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
  2. Make the brownies according to the package. Bake and cool.
  3. In a small pan heat the bag of caramel bits and 2 1/2 Tablespoons heavy cream over low-medium heat. Stir until melted and creamy.
  4. Stir the pretzel pieces into the caramel and spread it immediately on top of the cooled brownies. Let set.
  5. In a small microwave safe bowl, stir together the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Heat another 30 seconds and stir until melted and creamy.
  6. Spread the melted chocolate on top of the brownies. Press the whole itty bitty pretzels into the chocolate and let set.
  7. Melt the white chocolate melts according to the package directions. Spoon into a ziplock bag and cut one tip off. Drizzle over the top of the brownies and sprinkle with sea salt. Let set.

Notes

*You can adjust the amount of sea salt to your liking.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 111Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 129mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 1g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Jocelyn @ Inside BruCrew Life
Cuisine: American / Category: Brownies & Bars
Two pictures of Salted Caramel Brownies collaged together with a brown text box.

*The post for Salted Caramel Brownies was first published on October 10, 2012. The photos and post have been updated and republished on February 3, 2020.

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Comments

    • Jocelyn says

      Yes, you can use butter instead if you like. It’s just to thin the chocolate out so it can be drizzled on top. You could also use good quality chocolate melts instead if you like.

      Reply

  2. Bella Hardy says

    Wow! This salted caramel brownies recipe is incredible! I’m seriously so inspired right now. I need to add cinnamon to the recipe and it would be perfect. Thx for sharing!

    Reply

  4. Stephanie says

    I have tried these brownies several times and haven’t quite gotten them right. They usually taste very good, but it they are very very difficult to cut and get out of the pan. They usually make an awful mess. As they cool, the milk duds seems to re-harden, stick to the pan, and make it difficult to cut. They also seem to not get done….the brownie mix doesn’t quite cook all the way in the middle. Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • Jocelyn Brubaker says

      The caramel from the milk duds will harden and become quite chewy. I usually cut them while slightly warm and place them in a wax paper lined tray, so they can’t harden on the pan. You could also use a softer caramel candy such as the caramel filled Kisses or caramel Milky Ways. As for the middle not being done, you might need to bake them a minute or 2 longer. Every oven is different, and I also tend to under bake my brownies because I like them that way. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  6. Tanya Schroeder says

    I can totally skip the brownie pop if it means I can get these in by belly more quickly! I can get these in my belly! Love how quick these come together and they look so pretty too!!! And just for the record, I am done with pumpkin too! Thanks for linking up to Iron Chef Mom!

    Reply

    • Jocelyn says

      These were definitely so much fast than rolling and dipping. Love saving time that way!!! And I am glad to know others are ready to move on to other flavors:-) Although I have regressed and started the pumpkin back up again!!!

      Reply

  7. Joan Hayes says

    OMG, don’t you love those caramel baking bits! I was using them the other day and found I had eaten half the bag! Good thing I had a back up bag in the cabinet. Cause everybody needs backup! Ok so the quote isn’t meant for baking bits but too bad. Now you can name that movie, and if you can, I just know your head is the same place mine has been for almost 20 years! Boy did I get off track, it’s these brownies, making me light headed and not able to think straight. I did want to let you know I’m featuring them this week at Thursday’s Treasures. Thanks for sharing and of course I pinned 🙂

    Reply

  10. The CSI Girl says

    I would love if you shared this on the CSI Project this week. The challenge is fall food and this is perfect. You can come by everyday for a new tutorial/recipe and then on Wednesday night you can link up. You just might win the challenge and there is a giveaway.
    http://www.thecsiproject.com
    Hope to see you there!!!

    Reply

  17. Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says

    Salted caramel has to be one of the best combos ever! And you know how I LOVE pumpkin, but I’m just about ready to break out the peppermints for Christmas baking. Is it too early? Ugh, why can’t I just live in the moment??? These brownies look amazing, Jocelyn!

    Reply

  18. Kate | Food Babbles says

    Oh my goodness! These sound so good! I love anything with salted caramel and brownies are pretty much my favorite dessert ever so you’ve essentially just made me die and go to heaven with this recipe. Bookmarked! This will happen in my kitchen 🙂

    Reply

  19. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    These look totally amazing! We seem to finally be cooling down here in Sacramento – out of the 90s at least 😉 I wanted to invite you to the Iron Chef Mom – Chocolate Edition linky party going on now! http://www.momontimeout.com/2012/10/iron-chef-mom-2-chocolate-edition.html
    I would also like to invite you to link up to my party if you get the chance: http://www.momontimeout.com/2012/10/your-creative-timeout-linky-party-no51.html
    Hope you’re having a great week!
    -Trish

    Reply

  22. Nicole @ WonkyWonderful says

    I welcome this non-pumpkin treat because I have a secret as well … I don’t like pumpkin … sshhh, don’t tell the other bloggers – they might chase me with fire & pitchforks! And I’m with you, it’s hard to get into the fall baking when you live in an area that is 90 degrees in October. I’ll take these caramel brownies any day though – 90 degrees or not 🙂

    Reply

  25. 4Sisters says

    Well, I’m not sure if you should be on your way out with the pumpkin recipes for the season, but these look SO FABULOUS that they could squeeze right in the middle for sure!!

    Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos

    Reply

  30. Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says

    Salted caramel–there’s nothing better! I finally got my hands on a Salted Caramel Mocha from Starbucks last weekend and fell in love. Why I hadn’t tried it sooner is beyond me, but it was DELISH and now I want one of these bad boys!!

    Reply

  31. Julie E says

    I a link to these brownies on FB and had an “Oh they look so good, I need to find the link” moment. To my great joy you linked them up to my party. Double Win!! So pinning.

    Reply

  35. Elaine says

    Haha I don’t blame you one bit for being on the downward slope of your pumpkin baking. While I’m still going strong, I think I’ll hit that point in a week or two. As long as you make amazing, delicious recipes, like these brownies, then we’re all good 🙂

    Reply

  37. Aimee says

    I forgive you for moving on. I don’t mind one bit with a treat like this! Salted caramel and I have a deep relationship, like soul mates! Love this!!

    Reply

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