If you're craving something sweet with a little salty crunch, these Salted Caramel Brownies will hit the spot! Made with a brownie mix, soft caramel, and sea salt, these chocolate brownies are the perfect blend of sweet and salty goodness.
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Caramel Pretzel Brownies
Years ago, Starbucks offered a delicious salted caramel mocha and a salted caramel brownie pop. I was so disappointed when they stopped selling these items.
I loved the small brownie pop so much that I created a salted caramel brownie recipe to mimic the flavor. I included salty pretzels in the brownies, adding a delightful crunch, which was a fantastic idea.
To this day, this is one of my best desserts. I get requests for the recipe whenever we bring it to parties and potlucks.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Sweet and Salty Heaven: The chocolate, caramel, and pretzel combo is a winner, with the perfect mix of sweet and salty in every bite.
- Easy to Make: You can quickly prepare the dessert using a box mix. The toppings make it look and taste like you worked extra hard.
- Great Texture: This dessert is a dream, with soft, fudgy brownies, melty caramel, and crunchy pretzels. Biting into layers of different textures is so satisfying.
- Crowd-pleaser: Caramel brownies are perfect for any occasion. Whether you serve them at a party or enjoy them at home with the family, they are a hit.
Key Ingredients Needed
You can create a pan of chocolate caramel brownies with simple ingredients.
- Brownie Mix: You can use a boxed mix or a double batch of homemade chocolate chip brownies. Either one works and will taste amazing; make sure that it is for a 9x13 pan size.
- Store-Bought Caramels: I like to use the little caramel bits because they melt faster, but the Kraft caramels also work.
- 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: Feel free to use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips for these salty brownies.
- White Chocolate Melts: A little bit drizzled on top makes the brownies look like they came from a bakery.
- Coarse Sea Salt: Enhances the sweet taste and adds a savory element to treats.
How to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownies
One bite of these pretzel caramel brownies, and you'll never want plain brownies again. Trust me, they are that good!
- Prepare the box mix according to the package directions, then pour the brownie batter into a prepared pan. Bake and cool.
- Heat a bag of caramels or caramel bits and heavy cream in a pan over low-medium heat until it is melted and creamy.
- Stir the pretzel pieces into the caramel, then spread them on the cooled brownies. Let it set for a few minutes.
- Heat chocolate chips and heavy cream in the microwave for 60 seconds. Stir until melted and creamy, then spread the chocolate mixture evenly on the caramel layer.
- Press the itty bitty pretzels into the chocolate and let it set. Drizzle the white chocolate melts across the pan of brownies and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Storage Recommendations
Leftover gooey brownies can be kept in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days. You can also wrap each brownie in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to one week. Just keep in mind that the pretzels may soften over time.
Tips and Tricks
- Use a fudgy brownie mix, not the cakey kind. You want that dense, chewy texture to complement the toppings.
- Melt the caramel slowly on low heat so it doesn't burn. If it gets too thick, a splash of cream can help smooth it out.
- After you pour the caramel, gently press the pretzels into it. This will ensure they stay in place when you cut the brownies later.
- Resist the urge to dig in right away! Let the brownies cool completely so the caramel sets, and you can cut them without making a sticky mess.
- Don't feel like pretzels? Try crushed nuts, like pecans, or even more coarse salt for extra flavor. You can also use toffee bits for more crunch!
FAQs
Absolutely! A basic fudgy brownie recipe will work perfectly. The box mix is just for convenience, but homemade will give you that extra rich flavor.
If you don't like white chocolate, substitute dark or milk chocolate. It's all about customizing these brownies to your taste.
No, a caramel sauce is too runny to stay on top of the brownies.
More Salted Caramel Desserts
- Salted Caramel Brownie Cupcakes
- Caramel Bites
- Salted Caramel Frosting
- Caramel Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bark
- Butterscotch Pecan Blondie
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Recipe
Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownies
If you're craving something sweet with a little salty crunch, these Salted Caramel Brownies will hit the spot! Made with a brownie mix, soft caramel, and sea salt, these chocolate brownies are the perfect blend of sweet and salty goodness.
Ingredients
- 1 - 9x13 box brownie mix
- 1 - 11 ounce bag caramel baking bits
- ½ cup heavy cream + 2 ½ tablespoons, divided
- 1 ½ cups pretzel pieces + more whole itty bitty pretzels for on top
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup white chocolate melts
- coarse ground sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- Make the brownies according to the package directions. Spread in the prepared pan, then bake and cool.
- Heat the bag of caramel bits and 2 ½ Tablespoons heavy cream in a small pan over low-medium heat. Stir until melted and creamy.
- Stir the pretzel pieces into the melted caramel and spread it immediately on the cooled brownies. Let set.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, stir together the chocolate chips and ½ cup of heavy cream. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Heat another 30 seconds, then stir until melted and creamy.
- Spread the melted chocolate on top of the brownies. Press the whole itty bitty pretzels into the chocolate.
- Melt the white chocolate melts according to the package directions. Spoon into a ziplock bag and cut one corner off. Drizzle over the top of the brownies and sprinkle with sea salt. Let the toppings set before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Use a fudgy brownie mix, not the cakey kind. You want that dense, chewy texture to complement the toppings.
- Melt the caramel slowly on low heat so it doesn't burn. If it gets too thick, a splash of cream can help smooth it out.
- After you pour the caramel, gently press the pretzels into it. This will ensure they stay in place when you cut the brownies later.
- Resist the urge to dig in right away! Let the brownies cool so the caramel sets, and you can cut them without making a sticky mess.
- Don't feel like pretzels? Try crushed nuts, like pecans, or even more coarse salt for extra flavor. You could even use toffee bits for more crunch!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount 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.
*This post was first published in October 2012. The photos were updated in February 2020 and republished in September 2024.
Kate | Food Babbles
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 🙂
Katie Adams
these look amazing! I wish I could taste them if I liked my screen, but it doesn't work. I tried.
Vera Zecevic – Cupcakes Garden
These look so delicious! I've pined it to my bookmark! I will try this recipe very soon!
Nicole @ WonkyWonderful
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 🙂
Shiloh Barkley
Oh no you di - int!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I still have not tried that mocha! I reeeallllly need to. These brownies. Man. Thanks for taking one for the team and buying one of the pricey ones. I bet these are better!
4Sisters
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
Cookin' Cowgirl
YUM! These look so amazing, I MIGHT forgive you for the "downward slope of pumpkin baking" comment! 🙂
chica chocolatina
So l love salted caramel thousand times more than I like pumpkin, so I am loving this recipe right now! Oh and thanks for the Hot Cakes link, I love their stuff!
Winnie
Amazing treats!
I've actually never tried salted caramel yet....
I'm definitely curious
Trish - Sweetology101
oh my..makes my mouth water .............................
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
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!!
Julie E
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.
Holly
Holy calzoney! These look AMAZING! I could eat every. single. one!♥
Jocelyn
It is a serious danger...I had to send them all away to a dinner we were helping at:-)
Cassie | Bake Your Day
Salted caramel is my weakness. I love these Jocelyn!
Lisa
Oh YUMMM!Anything you make is YUM-pumpkin, chocolate, caramel, etc etc.
Elaine
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 🙂
The Miller Five
Wow! Those look super delicious! I wish I had time to make them for my daughter's soccer game tonight. It'd be a nice season ending treat for the other parents. Yum yum!
Aimee
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!!
Kristen
Yummy yummy! I am such a fan of the salted caramel mocha (and prefer it over pumpkin stuff). Definitely want to try these brownies
Jocelyn
That mocha is absolutely the best drink EVER!!! I hope you get a chance to make the brownies!!!