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Salted Pretzel Brownies Recipe

Salted pretzel brownies are a delicious dessert that combines the rich, chocolatey flavor of brownies with the salty crunch of pretzels. These fudgy brownies are typically made by adding crushed pretzels to the batter and baking them along with the brownie mixture. After baking, the brownies are then topped with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt or pretzel salt, which adds a savory contrast to the sweet chocolate flavor.

The result is a decadent and satisfying treat that is perfect for satisfying sweet and salty cravings. The combination of the soft and fudgy texture of brownie with the crunchy pretzels provides a satisfying and perfect blend of texture, while the hint of saltiness enhances the overall flavor of the brownies. Salted pretzel brownies can be enjoyed on their own, or paired with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert.

pan of fresh baked salted pretzel brownies from Flavor Portal recipe
The easy to make salty-sweet brownie of your dreams.

Some variations

There are many variations of salted pretzel brownie recipes that you can try to add some variety to this delicious dessert. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies: Add a layer of creamy peanut butter on top of the brownie mixture, and then sprinkle crushed delicious pretzel crust and sea salt on top before baking.
  2. Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies: Drizzle caramel sauce over the brownie mixture before adding the crushed pretzels and sea salt on top.
  3. Chocolate Chip Salty Brownies: Add chocolate chunks to the brownie batter and sprinkle crushed pretzels and sea salt on the entire surface before baking.
  4. Nutella Pretzel Brownies: Swirl Nutella into the brownie batter before adding the crushed salty pretzels and sea salt on top.
  5. Mint Pretzel Brownies: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the chocolate mixture and sprinkle crushed pretzels and sea salt on top before baking.
  6. Raspberry Pretzel Brownies: Add fresh raspberries to the brownie batter and sprinkle crushed pretzels and a pinch of salt on top before baking.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to get creative and come up with your own unique flavor combinations.

Great for any occasion!

Salted pretzel brownies are a versatile dessert that can be served for a variety of occasions. Here are some ideas:

  1. Parties: Salted pretzel brownies are perfect for parties and gatherings, as they can be cut into small, bite-sized pieces and served as a finger food.
  2. Potlucks: If you’re asked to bring a dessert to a potluck, salted pretzel brownies are an excellent choice. They’re easy to transport and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Cut them in small squares and serve them in a large bowl.
  3. Holidays: Salted pretzel brownies make a great dessert for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. They’re indulgent and satisfying, making them the perfect end to a festive meal.
  4. Birthdays: If you’re looking for a unique and tasty birthday dessert, salted pretzel brownies are a great option. You can even decorate them with frosting or sprinkles to make them extra festive.
  5. Casual get-togethers: Next time you’re hosting a movie night or just having some friends over for a casual evening, salted pretzel brownies are a great dessert to serve. They’re easy to make and are sure to impress your guests.

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Ingredients

  • 2 4 oz. sticks butter, diced
  • 6 oz. dark chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened chocolate powder
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup mini pretzels, divided
ingredients for salted pretzel brownies from Flavor Portal recipe
Get your ingredients ready!

Equipment

  • 9 x13-inch Baking pan
  • Saucepan or large pot
  • Rubber spatula
  • Parchment paper
  • Large serrated knife for clean slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° degrees F and line a 9×13-inch square pan with a piece of parchment paper. 
  2. Add butter and chocolate to a medium saucepan and melt over low heat. 
  3. Stir in the cocoa powder and whisk to dissolve the cocoa in the melted chocolate.  
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and vanilla. 
  5. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking constantly between each addition. 
  6. Fold in the flour, instant espresso powder, and dark chocolate chips. 
  7. Lightly crush half of the pretzels and fold those into the brownie batter.
  8. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish. 
  9. Arrange the remaining pretzels on top of the brownie batter. 
  10. Bake until brownies are mostly set, yet slightly gooey in the middle, 40-45 minutes.
  11. Start checking doneness at 35 minutes with a toothpick – it should come out clean with moist crumbs and not completely dry. 
  12. Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
step 3 of salted pretzel brownies from Flavor Portal recipe
Add eggs in one at a time
step 4 of salted pretzel brownies from Flavor Portal recipe
Fold in the flour, instant espresso powder, and dark chocolate chips.
step 5 of salted pretzel brownies from Flavor Portal recipe
Lightly crush half of the pretzels and fold those into the brownie batter.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.

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stack of three salted pretzel brownies from Flavor Portal recipe on parchment paper

Salted Pretzel Brownies

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Salted pretzel brownies are a delicious dessert that combines the rich, chocolatey flavor of brownies with the salty crunch of pretzels. These fudgy brownies are typically made by adding crushed pretzels to the batter and baking them along with the brownie mixture. After baking, the brownies are then topped with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt or pretzel salt, which adds a savory contrast to the sweet chocolate flavor.

The result is a decadent and satisfying treat that is perfect for satisfying sweet and salty cravings. The combination of the soft and fudgy texture of brownie with the crunchy pretzels provides a satisfying and perfect blend of texture, while the hint of saltiness enhances the overall flavor of the brownies. Salted pretzel brownies can be enjoyed on their own, or paired with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert.

Ingredients

  • 2 4 oz. sticks butter, diced
  • 6 oz. dark chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened chocolate powder
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup mini pretzels, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° degrees F and line a 9x13-inch square pan with a piece of parchment paper. 
  2. Add butter and chocolate to a medium saucepan and melt over low heat. 
  3. Stir in the cocoa powder and whisk to dissolve the cocoa in the melted chocolate.  
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and vanilla. 
  5. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking constantly between each addition. 
  6. Fold in the flour, instant espresso powder, and dark chocolate chips. 
  7. Lightly crush half of the pretzels and fold those into the brownie batter.
  8. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish. 
  9. Arrange the remaining pretzels on top of the brownie batter. 
  10. Bake until brownies are mostly set, yet slightly gooey in the middle, 40-45 minutes.
  11. Start checking doneness at 35 minutes with a toothpick – it should come out clean with moist crumbs and not completely dry. 
  12. Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Notes

There are many variations of salted pretzel brownie recipes that you can try to add some variety to this delicious dessert. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies: Add a layer of creamy peanut butter on top of the brownie mixture, and then sprinkle crushed delicious pretzel crust and sea salt on top before baking.
  2. Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies: Drizzle caramel sauce over the brownie mixture before adding the crushed pretzels and sea salt on top.
  3. Chocolate Chip Salty Brownies: Add chocolate chunks to the brownie batter and sprinkle crushed pretzels and sea salt on the entire surface before baking.
  4. Nutella Pretzel Brownies: Swirl Nutella into the brownie batter before adding the crushed salty pretzels and sea salt on top.
  5. Mint Pretzel Brownies: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the chocolate mixture and sprinkle crushed pretzels and sea salt on top before baking.
  6. Raspberry Pretzel Brownies: Add fresh raspberries to the brownie batter and sprinkle crushed pretzels and a pinch of salt on top before baking.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to get creative and come up with your own unique flavor combinations.

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