Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars Irresistible Sweet Treat

Ingredients

• 2 cups pretzel sticks, crushed
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• to taste sea salt flakes for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.
2. In a large bowl, combine the crushed pretzel sticks and melted butter. Stir until the pretzels are fully coated in butter.
3. Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until just golden.
4. While the crust is baking, combine the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture reaches a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the baked pretzel crust.
6. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the caramel to bubble.
7. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel layer. Let them sit for a couple of minutes until melted, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the top.
8. Sprinkle sea salt flakes generously over the chocolate layer for a salted caramel effect.
9. Let the bars cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set. Once set, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares.