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Salted Caramel Pretzel Cheesecake Bars

These bars combine a buttery pretzel crust with luscious cheesecake swirled with salted caramel, offering a perfect balance of sweet and salty in an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pretzel Crust
  • 2 cups pretzels crushed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce divided, half folded in and half for drizzling
  • sea salt for sprinkling on top

Equipment

  • 9x9-inch Baking Pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric Mixer
  • Spatula
  • Plastic wrap or foil

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Crush about 2 cups of pretzels into a mixture of small chunks and fine crumbs.
  2. Step 2: Combine crushed pretzels with 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter and 1/4 cup brown sugar in a medium bowl. Stir until mixture resembles wet sand.
  3. Step 3: Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking pan. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
  4. Step 4: Beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  6. Step 6: Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to keep it light and airy.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce over the filling and lightly swirl with a butter knife or skewer for a marbled effect.
  8. Step 8: Spread filling evenly over chilled pretzel crust. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  9. Step 9: Before serving, drizzle extra salted caramel sauce on top and sprinkle with sea salt. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Use crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits for a crust alternative. Add nuts or chocolate drizzle for extra texture and flavor. Store bars covered in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.