Okay, so you know how sometimes you just *crave* something sweet and salty at the same time? Seriously, it’s the best combo ever, right? Well, let me tell you, friends, these Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies are the answer to all your sweet and salty prayers! They’re super easy to whip up, like seriously, even if you’re a beginner baker, you’ve got this. And trust me, these blondies are a total crowd-pleaser – think potlucks, parties, or even just a cozy night in. I’ve been making these for years; it’s a family favorite I can’t stop baking! You’ve got to try them. I promise you’ll be hooked!

Why You’ll Love These Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Listen, if you haven’t made these yet, you’re seriously missing out! Here’s why you’re going to fall head-over-heels for these Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies:

Easy Peasy! Seriously, beginner-friendly. No complicated steps here – promise!
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of what you need already in your pantry.
Sweet & Salty Nirvana: The ultimate flavor combo. It’s truly a match made in heaven.
Perfect for Sharing: These are a hit at parties, potlucks, or any get-together.
Seriously Addictive Texture: Chewy, gooey, with a satisfying crunch. Prepare to be obsessed.

Ingredients for the Best Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Alright, friends, here’s the shopping list for these incredible blondies! Don’t worry, it’s all stuff you can probably find at your local grocery store. Let’s get baking!

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted: Make sure the butter is totally melted, but not hot. We want it nice and smooth!
1 cup packed light brown sugar: This gives our blondies that lovely caramel-y depth of flavor. Pack it down in the measuring cup, okay?
1 cup granulated sugar: Just plain ol’ white sugar. We need it for sweetness, obviously!
2 large eggs: These hold the whole thing together. Crack them carefully – no shells allowed!
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Always use the good stuff, if you can. It makes a *huge* difference in overall flavor, trust me.
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Spoon and level your flour, or you could end up with a dry blondie.
1 teaspoon baking powder: This gives a little lift and helps those blondies get perfectly chewy.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Okay, you need salt in your baking, or it won’t be good. It balances out the sweetness.
1 cup pretzels, roughly chopped: I like to use classic, crunchy pretzels for this. Chop them up into smaller pieces – not too fine, though!
1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped: Soft caramels are the way to go here. Unwrap them carefully; all that matters is you get the treats!
2 tablespoons heavy cream: This helps melt the caramels into a smooth, delicious sauce.
Flaky sea salt, for topping: This is *key*! It’s what gives that perfect sweet and salty bite, so don’t skip it!

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Alright, let’s get down to business! Baking these Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies is super easy, I promise. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be munching on deliciousness in no time! Remember, these blondies are worth every second.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). And get that oven nice and toasty! Also, grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This stops those blondies from sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined. Make sure you get all the lumps out, okay? Using a whisk helps get this going.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Don’t go crazy mixing; just until everything’s combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure that baking powder is fresh, or those blondies won’t rise right!
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix. A few streaks of flour? Totally fine! Overmixing toughens your blondies.
Fold in the chopped pretzels. Gently fold them into the batter, or they’ll sink to the bottom.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Get those corners nice and even, so every blondie bakes up perfectly.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Keep an eye on the blondies during the last few minutes.
While the blondies are baking, make the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the caramel candies and heavy cream. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the caramel is melted and smooth. Careful, don’t let it burn!
Once the blondies are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. Then, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Don’t skip the sea salt!
Let the blondies cool completely before cutting into squares. Seriously, don’t cut them too soon! Trust me, it’s worth the wait. Otherwise, they crumble.

Tips for Success: Making Perfect Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Want to make sure your Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies turn out absolutely amazing? Here are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years to help you nail it every single time. Trust me, these are game-changers!

Use Good Quality Caramels

Okay, this is super important! The better the caramel candies, the better your sauce. Look for soft caramels, not the rock-hard ones – they melt much more easily, and the flavor? *Mwah*! It’s worth it, friends. You’ll taste the difference, trust me!

Don’t Overmix That Batter

Seriously, resist the urge to overmix! Once you add the flour, just gently fold until *barely* combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, and that’ll give you tough, not chewy, blondies. We want chewy, right? Right! Think “just combined,” friends.

Cool Completely Before Cutting (Patience, I Know!)

I know, I know. It’s torture to wait, but allowing these blondies to cool *completely* is essential. It lets the caramel set and makes those beautiful, clean cuts you see in magazines. I usually put mine in the fridge to speed things up a little! Worth it, I promise.

Rough Chop Those Pretzels

Don’t pulverize those poor pretzels! Roughly chop them by hand, so you get bits of pretzel in every bite. Too fine, and you lose the satisfying crunch! You want texture, and a mix of sizes for extra deliciousness! So, resist the urge to over-process them.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Okay, let’s talk about a few ingredients and some ways you can tweak this Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies recipe to make it your own! Because sometimes, you just gotta roll with what you’ve got in the pantry, right?

Brown Sugar Swap

Don’t have light brown sugar? No worries! You can totally use dark brown sugar instead. However, the molasses flavor will be more intense, so your blondies will have a richer, more caramel-y taste. It’s still yummy, just a little different, and possibly my favorite substitution.

Caramel Sauce: Homemade vs. Store-Bought

Making your own caramel sauce is really easy and tastes amazing, there’s truly no comparison! But, if you’re in a pinch, store-bought caramel sauce works too. Just make sure it’s a good quality sauce. Personally, the homemade version always wins for me – it just hits different!

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips for Your Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Okay, so life gets busy, and sometimes you need to get things done in advance! Good news: you totally can with these delicious Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies. You can prep the batter a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just add those crunchy pretzels right before you pop them in the oven.

Once they’re baked, store the blondies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days (if they last that long!). And, if you want them to last longer? Freeze them! Just wrap those blondies tightly, and they’ll last for up to a month. I do this all the time, and they’re just as good!

Variations to Try with Your Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Okay, so these Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies are amazing as they are, but you know me! I’m always tweaking and playing around. Here are a few ways to switch things up and make them even more fun!

Chocolate Chip Magic

Want a chocolate-y twist? Fold in a cup of your favorite chocolate chips during the last step. Semi-sweet or milk chocolate both work great. *So* good!. Trust me, adding those chocolate chips just takes it to the next level of amazing!

Pretzel Power-Up!

Try using different types of pretzels! Mini pretzels or even pretzel sticks add fun textures and flavors. You can even crush the pretzel sticks a bit for a chunkier result. Get creative and find the best pretzel for you!

Nutty Adventures

Incorporate some chopped nuts. Pecans or walnuts? Oh yes! Just fold a cup of your favorite chopped nuts into the batter. This adds a lovely crunch and a boost of flavor. A perfect addition for any gathering!

Frequently Asked Questions About Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Got questions about making these amazing Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common questions I get asked all the time. Let’s get to baking and eating!

Can I use salted butter?

You *can* use salted butter, but I recommend unsalted butter for the best control of flavors. If you do use salted butter, just reduce the amount of salt you add to the recipe by half. It’s really about personal preference, but with these Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies, every little bit counts!

How do I prevent the blondies from drying out?

The key to moist blondies is not to overbake them and properly measure your ingredients, especially the flour. Also, store them in an airtight container as quickly as possible. Adding the caramel and pretzel topping will help keep the blondies fresh for days. If you keep them in the fridge longer, I recommend zapping them in the microwave for a bit!

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, you can *totally* adapt this recipe to be gluten-free! All you need is a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for the best texture. Also, double-check that your pretzels are gluten-free too. A tip? Enjoy all the blondies!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Okay, so I know you’re probably wondering exactly how many calories you’re getting yourself into with these Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies, and hey, I get it! It’s always good to have a basic idea, right? Keep in mind, though, that these numbers are just an *estimate*. The actual nutritional info can change depending on the specific ingredients and brands you use. So, you know, take it with a grain of (flaky sea) salt!

Here’s what you can expect, roughly, per serving (that’s about one blondie):

Calories: 250
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 35mg

There you have it! Now go forth and enjoy those blondies (responsibly, of course!). Because life’s too short to skip dessert, am I right?