Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownie Bites

One-bite fudgy brownie squares topped with crunchy salted pretzels and a drizzle of gooey caramel.

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 40 min
Servings: 4
AmericanVegetarianPescatarianNut-FreeShellfish-FreeFish-FreeSesame-Free

Ingredients

  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, cubed
  • 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 0.33 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.25 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 0.5 cup mini salted pretzel twists, lightly broken
  • 0.25 cup thick salted caramel sauce
  • 0.5 teaspoon flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.

  2. 2.

    In a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (or in 30-second bursts in the microwave), melt the cubed butter and chopped chocolate together, stirring until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

  3. 3.

    In a medium mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and eggs for 2 to 3 minutes until pale, frothy, and slightly thickened.

  4. 4.

    Slowly pour the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla extract into the egg mixture, whisking gently until thoroughly incorporated.

  5. 5.

    Sift the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and fine sea salt directly into the batter. Use a rubber spatula to fold the dry ingredients in just until no flour streaks remain. Do not overmix.

  6. 6.

    Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist, fudgy crumbs.

  7. 7.

    Allow the brownie slab to cool completely in the pan at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to ensure clean cuts.

  8. 8.

    Use the parchment overhang to lift the brownie slab onto a cutting board. Slice into 16 neat, equal bite-sized squares (yielding 4 bites per serving).

  9. 9.

    Top each brownie bite with pieces of crunchy salted pretzels, drizzle generously with warm salted caramel sauce, and sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt right before serving.

Tips

  • 💡For ultra-sharp, bakery-style clean edges, wipe your chef's knife with a warm, damp cloth between each slice.
  • 💡Add the pretzels just before serving to ensure they stay completely crisp and crunchy against the fudgy brownie base.
  • 💡Whisking the eggs and sugars until pale and frothy is the key secret to achieving that signature shiny, crinkly brownie crust.

Recipe from TheCookbook.ai

Created by Shannon Williams