Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark
User Reviews
5
Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark
Description
This bark starts with spreading melted semi-sweet chocolate onto parchment paper, adhering small salted pretzels while the chocolate cools slightly to hold them in place. The caramel sauce is made by carefully melting sugar until amber-colored, then whisking in butter, warming heavy cream, and sea salt to balance richness with a hint of saltiness.
The homemade caramel creates a smooth, creamy texture that complements the crisp pretzels and rich chocolate. The bark is typically finished with milk chocolate as a secondary layer, blending flavors and adding visual contrast. This combination results in a sweet, salty treat well suited for gifting, holiday occasions, or casual indulgence.
The process requires attentive sugar melting to prevent burning and gentle stirring to integrate ingredients smoothly. Pressing pretzels immediately into warm chocolate ensures they stick firmly and retain crunch. Finished bark is chilled until firm and then broken into pieces for serving.
Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate
- 1 1/2 cups pretzels mini, salted
- 1 cup milk chocolate
Homemade Salted Caramel:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt sea salt
- 1 pkg. caramel candies OPTIONAL: if not making homemade caramel, soft
Instructions
- Begin with a parchment lined baking sheet. To make sure the chocolate bark doesn't stick to it, you may lightly spray the parchment or wax paper.
- Melt the semi-sweet chocolate. This can be done in a double-boiler or in the microwave. If you choose the microwave, start off with a microwave-safe bowl. It is important when melting chocolate to reduce the microwave power to 50%. Cook the chocolate in 30-second increments, stirring well after each increment, until completely melted.
- Press the pretzels into the chocolate immediately so the pretzels will adhere to the chocolate as it hardens.
To make Homemade Caramel:
- In a medium saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. The sugar will begin to form clumps and will turn into an amber color. Keep stirring. Watch carefully as the sugar can easily burn.Once sugar is completely melted, add the butter. The butter will bubble so be careful.Stir the butter into the caramel until it is completely melted. Use a whisk to stir the sugar and butter. Drizzle the heavy cream into mixture and stir.Let it boil for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sea salt. Let set up. Once the caramel is done, pour over the pretzels. You may not use all of the caramel.
- If you are using packaged caramels, melt according to the package instructions.
- Melt the milk chocolate (see step #2). Use a spoon or flat spatula to pour over the caramel. Spread the milk chocolate almost to the edges. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for several hours. If you want to speed up the process, it can be placed in the freezer.Cut into squares and serve.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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