Introduction

Sweet & Salty Bliss is a delightful blondie recipe that combines rich caramel, crunchy pretzels, and a touch of flaky sea salt for the perfect balance of flavors. These bars are buttery, chewy, and irresistibly tasty—ideal for dessert or a special snack.

The image shows eight square pieces of cake arranged in two rows on a wooden board. Each piece has a dark brown, moist base layer with a rough texture. On top, there is a smooth, light brown caramel-like layer evenly spread over the cake base. The top is lightly sprinkled with small golden crunchy bits, adding texture and contrast. The wooden board is on a white marbled surface with a blurred warm background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup crushed pretzels (plus extra for topping)
1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Flaky sea salt for finishing

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Gently fold in the crushed pretzels until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 6: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the batter. Then, spoon the remaining batter on top, and finish with the rest of the caramel sauce. Use a knife to swirl the caramel gently into the batter.
Step 7: Sprinkle extra crushed pretzels over the top and a generous pinch of flaky sea salt.
Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 9: Allow the blondies to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting them out onto a wire rack (if using parchment). Let them cool completely before cutting into squares.
Step 10: Serve and enjoy as a delightful dessert or a sweet snack on the go!

Tips & Variations

Use homemade caramel sauce for a richer flavor, or swap pretzels with crushed nuts for a different crunch.
For extra gooey blondies, slightly underbake them and let cool completely before slicing.
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of espresso powder to intensify the flavor.

Storage

Store the blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, warm individual squares in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and gooeyness.

How to Serve

The image shows nine square pieces of rich chocolate cake arranged closely on a wooden board, each piece topped with a smooth layer of glossy caramel frosting. The caramel topping has a light brown color and is sprinkled evenly with small crunchy bits, adding texture and contrast. The cake itself looks moist and dense with a darker chocolate tone, visible beneath the shiny caramel layer. The wooden board rests on a white marbled surface with a softly blurred background of warm, natural light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these blondies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Make sure it includes xanthan gum for the best texture.

Can I freeze the Sweet & Salty Bliss blondies?

Absolutely. Wrap the cooled blondies tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Sweet & Salty Pretzel Caramel Blondies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 121 reviews

Sweet & Salty Bliss blondies combine the rich flavors of buttery caramel swirled into a tender pretzel-studded batter, topped with crunchy crushed pretzels and flaky sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty indulgence. This easy-to-make dessert is baked to golden perfection and cut into delectable squares, perfect for dessert or a snack.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 16 squares 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add-Ins and Toppings

1 cup crushed pretzels (plus extra for topping)
1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Flaky sea salt for finishing

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure even texture. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures all dry components are well distributed.
Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can result in dense blondies.
Incorporate Pretzels: Gently fold in the crushed pretzels, mixing until they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter, adding delightful crunch.
Add Caramel Sauce: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over this layer. Spoon the remaining batter on top, spreading carefully. Finish by drizzling the remaining caramel sauce. Use a knife to swirl the caramel gently into the batter to create a marbled effect.
Add Toppings: Sprinkle extra crushed pretzels over the surface for added texture and flavor. Finish with a generous pinch of flaky sea salt to enhance the sweet and salty contrast.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Bake until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, indicating perfect doneness.
Cool & Serve: Allow the blondies to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. If using parchment paper, lift them out gently and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into 16 squares.
Enjoy: Serve these blondies as a delightful dessert or pack them as a sweet snack for on the go. They offer a perfect balance of buttery sweetness and salty crunch.

Notes

You can use store-bought caramel sauce or make homemade caramel for a richer flavor.
Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep your blondies tender and moist.
For easier removal, line the baking pan with parchment paper, leaving edges to lift the blondies out.
Flaky sea salt topping intensifies the flavor contrast and adds a gourmet touch.
Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: blondies, caramel blondies, sweet and salty dessert, pretzel dessert, easy blondie recipe, caramel swirl blondies, homemade blondies