These PretzelPeanut Butter Bars are the ultimate salty-sweet treat, packing a punch with creamy peanut butter, crunchy pretzels, and velvety smooth chocolate. Add a sprinkle of coarsely chopped peanut butter cups and miniature chocolate chips on top, and you have a dessert that's not only bursting with flavor, but also an exciting variety of textures.
PREP: Prepare a 9x9-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper and leaving an overhang for easy removal.
CRUSH PRETZELS: Crush the pretzels by placing them in a large plastic bag and using a rolling pin or meat mallet until they're mostly crumbs, with some small pretzel pieces remaining.
PREPARE BASE: In a large bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, powdered sugar, and 1 cup of the peanut butter. Stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan and press it into an even layer.
CHOCOLATE TOPPING: Add the chocolate chips and the remaining ¼ cup of peanut butter into a microwave-safe medium-sized bowl. Melt in the microwave, using 30-second bursts until mostly melted. Stir the mixture until it's fully melted and smooth.
TOP BARS: Pour the chocolate and peanut butter topping over the pretzel layer, spreading it into an even layer.
OPTIONAL TOPPING: If desired, coarsely chop some mini peanut butter cups and gently press them into the chocolate layer. You can also sprinkle some mini chocolate chips on top for additional texture and flavor. Refrigerate the dessert for at least 1 hour to allow the bars to set.
SERVE: Use the overhang to pull the bars from the pan and place on a cutting board. Before cutting, run a very sharp knife under hot water, dry it off, then make decisive cuts to form the bars. Enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: Pan size: Our preference is for thicker bars, so we suggest using a 9x9-inch pan. However, if you're a fan of thinner bars, simply whip up this recipe in a 9x13-inch pan. We love using these sheets of parchment paper and these binder clips to hold the parchment in place.Note 2: Creamy peanut butter: We love and highly recommend Skippy® Creamy Peanut Butter (not sponsored). We don’t recommend natural peanut butter that needs stirring since it tends to be oilier and may result in a less firm set.Note 3: Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips: Your choice depends on how sweet you want your bars. Semi-sweet chips will offer a balanced sweetness that won't overpower the peanut butter, while milk chocolate chips will make the bars sweeter and almost fudge-like.