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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, lightly spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
- Base Layer: Create a uniform foundation by laying Club crackers edge-to-edge across the entire pan bottom.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Finishing Touch: Spread the chocolate mixture uniformly across the chilled caramel layers. Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the surface for a gourmet flavor enhancement.
- 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