Caramel Pretzel Brownies Recipe
Prep Time:
35 minutes
Cook Time:
35 minutes
Servings:
16 Squares
Ingredients
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • 6 ounces (about 1 cup) dark chocolate chips
  • 1 ⅓ cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ (11-ounce) bag soft caramel candies, unwrapped
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 cup mini pretzels, lightly crushed
Directions
  1. To prepare the cream cheese swirl, in a small bowl, stir to combine the cream cheese, ¼ cup granulated sugar, vanilla, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add 1 egg and stir until smooth. Set aside.
  2. To prepare the brownie batter, melt the butter in a medium pot.
  3. Remove it from the heat, and stir in the chocolate to melt.
  4. Stir in 1 ⅓ cups sugar.
  5. Whisk in 3 eggs.
  6. Add the flour, cocoa powder, ¾ teaspoon salt, and baking powder and stir until smooth. Set aside.
  7. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the caramels and heavy cream, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.
  8. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  9. Spray and line a 10-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
  10. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
  11. Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter.
  12. Gently swirl using a small knife or offset spatula.
  13. Spoon on the caramel, reserving 2 tablespoons for drizzling over the baked brownies, and swirl decoratively.
  14. Sprinkle the pretzels over the top.
  15. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the brownies are just set along the edges and only very slightly jiggly in the center.
  16. (Optional: Chill for at least 1 hour for cleaner cuts.) Lift the brownies out of the pan and transfer them to a cutting board, removing the parchment paper (if chilled).
  17. Use a sharp knife dipped into hot water between cuts to cut the brownies into 16 squares.
  18. Transfer the brownies to a serving platter, and drizzle them with the remaining caramel before serving.