Crunchy & Sweet Salt River Bars Recipe for Treat Lovers

Chocolate and caramel collide in this irresistible salt river bars recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Sweet meets salty in a delectable dance of flavors.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of rich chocolate and gooey caramel.

The layers meld together creating a dessert that stops conversations and sparks joy.

Crisp graham cracker crust provides a sturdy foundation for the decadent filling.

Generous drizzles of chocolate and caramel add dramatic flair to this stunning treat.

You won’t be able to resist grabbing another bar after the first heavenly taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 356 kcal

Servings: 17

Ingredients for Crafting Salt River Bars

• Club Crackers: Crispy foundation that provides a sturdy, buttery base for the layered dessert, choose fresh crackers with no staleness or cracks.
• Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface ensures easy removal and clean cutting of bars, select high-quality, unbleached parchment.
• Non-Stick Spray: Prevents sticking and helps with smooth release of bars, opt for neutral-flavored cooking spray.

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy depth and helps create smooth caramel texture, use unsalted for better flavor control.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, molasses-like sweetness and contributes to caramel's golden color, choose fresh, soft brown sugar.
• Graham Crumbs: Adds nutty undertone and helps thicken caramel, select finely ground crumbs for smooth consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, luxurious caramel with perfect consistency, use full-fat cream for best results.

• Chocolate Chips: Delivers rich, melty chocolate flavor, choose high-quality chips for best taste.
• Butterscotch Chips: Adds sweet, caramel-like complexity, select fresh chips without discoloration.
• Peanut Butter: Introduces creamy, nutty richness to the topping, use smooth variety for even melting.
• Sea Salt: Provides a delightful flavor contrast and enhances overall sweetness, select flaky, coarse sea salt for best texture.

Tools That Make Salt River Bars Easy to Prepare

• 9×13 inch pan: Essential for layering and creating the base of the dessert.
• Parchment paper: Crucial for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Non-stick spray: Helps prevent sticking and ensures smooth release.
• Heavy saucepan: Perfect for creating caramel mixture with even heat distribution.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Needed for melting chocolate and chip mixture.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring caramel and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
• Sharp knife: Used for cutting bars into clean, even pieces.

Baking Directions for Salt River Bars at Home

• Pan Preparation Landscape

Create a cozy foundation for your delightful treat by lining a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper and giving it a light non-stick spray coating.

• Cracker Foundation

Carefully nestle Club crackers across the bottom of the pan, creating a crisp and sturdy base for your layers.

• Caramel Magic

Craft a rich caramel mixture by gently combining butter, brown sugar, graham crumbs, and heavy cream in a heavy saucepan. Stir with love over medium heat until the blend transforms into a bubbling, golden treasure. Let it dance and simmer for seven magical minutes.

• Layering Symphony

Pour half of the golden caramel over the crackers, then crown with another cracker layer. Repeat the process, building delicious depth and texture.

• Refrigerator Rest

Tuck your creation into the refrigerator, allowing the layers to chill and set perfectly.

• Chocolate Topping Dream

Melt chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter into a smooth, glossy blanket. Spread this luxurious mixture across the chilled layers and sprinkle with a whisper of sea salt.

• Final Chill and Slice

Let the bars relax in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, then lift them out using the parchment paper and slice into tempting squares of pure happiness.

Smart Tips to Elevate Your Salt River Bars

• Swap Club crackers with graham crackers or saltine crackers for a different crunch and flavor profile.
• Experiment with dark, milk, or white chocolate chips instead of the standard mix for unique taste combinations.
• Reduce brown sugar slightly if you prefer less sweetness, or use light brown sugar for a milder caramel flavor.
• Add chopped pecans or almonds on top for extra crunch and depth of flavor before sprinkling sea salt.
• Store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring they remain fresh and delicious.

How to Serve Salt River Bars with Style

• Serve Chilled for Maximum Enjoyment: Keep these bars refrigerated until just before serving to maintain their perfect texture and rich, layered flavors.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange the bars alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a stunning presentation that elevates the sweet and salty experience.
• Pack for Picnics and Potlucks: These bars travel well and can be easily transported in a cooler, making them an ideal treat for outdoor gatherings and shared meals.
• Pair with Complementary Beverages: Enjoy these bars with a cold glass of milk, a rich espresso, or a smooth caramel latte to enhance the indulgent flavor profile.

Storage Hacks for Keeping Salt River Bars Fresh

• Refrigerate for Maximum Freshness: Store Salt River Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool temperature helps maintain their delightful texture and prevents the caramel from becoming too soft.
• Freeze for Long-Term Enjoyment: Carefully wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. These tasty treats can freeze beautifully for up to 3 months, letting you enjoy them whenever a sweet craving strikes.
• Strategic Layering for Serving: Separate layers of bars with parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking. This simple trick ensures each bar looks as stunning as the first time you cut them.
• Room Temperature Serving Tip: Remove bars from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly. This allows the caramel and chocolate topping to become wonderfully smooth and enhances the rich flavor profile.

Gooey Salt River Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Salt River Bars combine chocolate, caramel, and pretzels in a delightful dessert from Arizona’s culinary scene. Salty-sweet layers create an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 90 club crackers
• 1 cup (227 grams/8 oz) salted butter
• 2 cups (440 grams/15.5 oz) packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup (120 grams/4.2 oz) graham cracker crumbs
• 1 ½ cups (255 grams/9 oz) milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup (85 grams/3 oz) butterscotch chips
• ½ cup (128 grams/4.5 oz) creamy peanut butter
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters/6 fl oz) heavy cream
• Maldon sea salt (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, lightly spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Base Layer: Create a uniform foundation by laying Club crackers edge-to-edge across the entire pan bottom.
3. Caramel Creation: In a heavy saucepan, combine unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and heavy cream. Heat on medium, stirring continuously until the mixture reaches a rolling boil. Maintain constant stirring for 7 minutes until the caramel transforms into a rich, glossy consistency.
4. Layering Process: Pour half the molten caramel evenly over the cracker base. Add a second cracker layer, then cover completely with remaining caramel. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to partially set.
5. Chocolate Topping: Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring at 30-second intervals until smooth and fully blended.
6. Finishing Touch: Spread the chocolate mixture uniformly across the chilled caramel layers. Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the surface for a gourmet flavor enhancement.
7. Final Chill: Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until chocolate sets completely. Remove from pan using parchment paper edges and slice into rectangular bars with a sharp knife.

Notes

• Prevent Burning Caramel: Stir constantly during caramel preparation to avoid scorching and ensure a smooth, glossy texture.
• Cracker Layer Precision: Arrange crackers edge-to-edge without gaps for a stable, uniform base that supports the caramel layers.
• Chocolate Melting Technique: Use short microwave intervals and stir between each to prevent chocolate from burning and achieve a silky consistency.
• Salt Finishing Touch: Sprinkle flaky sea salt after chocolate sets to enhance flavor complexity and create a gourmet dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 356
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 49 mg