Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownie Bites

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

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 35 min
Servings: 4
AmericanVegetarianPescatarianNut-FreeShellfish-FreeFish-FreeSesame-Free

Ingredients

  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, cubed
  • 4 oz semi-sweet dark chocolate (60-70%), finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 0.5 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 crushed
  • 0.25 cup thick salted caramel sauce, slightly warmed
  • 0.5 teaspoon flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch square 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 barely simmering water (or in short 20-second microwave bursts), melt the butter and chopped chocolate together, stirring until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and cool for 3 minutes.

  3. 3.

    Whisk in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until incorporated. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, whisking vigorously for about 1 minute until the batter looks glossy and slightly thickened.

  4. 4.

    Sift the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and fine sea salt directly into the bowl. Gently fold the dry ingredients in with a silicone spatula just until no dry pockets remain. Do not overmix.

  5. 5.

    Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top evenly. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs (not wet batter).

  6. 6.

    Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up for clean slicing.

  7. 7.

    Lift the brownie slab out using the parchment overhang and place onto a cutting board. Slice into 16 neat, bite-sized squares.

  8. 8.

    Arrange the brownie bites on a serving platter. Press crushed pretzel pieces gently into the top of each bite, generously drizzle with warm caramel sauce, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt just before serving.

Tips

  • 💡Chill the baked brownies thoroughly before cutting to achieve sharp, professional bite-sized squares without crumbling.
  • 💡Add the pretzels and caramel shortly before serving to ensure the pretzels stay distinctively crisp and crunchy.
  • 💡Wipe your chef's knife with a warm, damp cloth between each slice to keep the edges clean and uniform.

Recipe from TheCookbook.ai

Created by Shannon Williams