Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark with Peanut Butter Swirl
A quick and easy salted caramel pretzel bark featuring a creamy peanut butter swirl, perfect for gifting, parties, or a sweet treat at home. This bark balances salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy textures for an irresistible snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: About 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups crunchy pretzels, broken into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (130g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ cup (90g) chopped roasted peanuts or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Break about 3 cups of pretzels into bite-sized pieces and spread evenly on a lined baking sheet.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add 1 cup granulated sugar. Stir constantly as the sugar melts and turns a deep amber color (7-10 minutes).
- Carefully add 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, stirring until melted and combined. Slowly pour in ½ cup heavy cream while stirring. Stir until smooth, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon sea salt. Remove from heat.
- Immediately pour the warm caramel evenly over the pretzels on the baking sheet. Spread gently with a spatula to coat pretzels without burying them.
- Warm ½ cup creamy peanut butter in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until soft but not hot. Drop spoonfuls over the caramel and swirl with a butter knife or skewer to create marbled patterns.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt evenly over the top.
- Allow the bark to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour until firm.
- Break the bark into irregular pieces and serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Watch the sugar carefully when melting to avoid burning. Pour caramel and swirl peanut butter while caramel is warm but not hot for best results. Use gluten-free pretzels and dairy-free substitutes to adapt for dietary needs. Store in airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerated for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ounce (28 grams)
- Calories: 150180
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: salted caramel, pretzel bark, peanut butter swirl, easy dessert, holiday treat, party snack, caramel candy, sweet and salty