Description
Homemade caramel chocolate crunch bars deliver sweet indulgence with layers of rich chocolate and buttery caramel. Crisp cookie base and silky ganache create a delectable dessert craved by chocolate enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal (Rice Krispies)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable oil
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Foundation Preparation: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring smooth edges. Blend crispy rice cereal and crushed pretzels in a large mixing bowl, creating a textural base with interlocking crunch.
- Caramel Crafting: In a medium saucepan, melt sugar and butter over medium heat. Introduce heavy cream and salt, whisking constantly to prevent scorching. Allow the mixture to transform into a deep amber nectar, stirring intermittently until reaching a luscious, glossy consistency.
- Layering and Setting: Cascade molten caramel over the cereal-pretzel blend, gently folding to ensure comprehensive coating. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, pressing firmly to create a uniform layer. Let the caramel stabilize and cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Chocolate Embellishment: Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil using short microwave bursts, stirring between intervals to achieve a sleek, glossy finish. Distribute the liquid chocolate evenly across the caramel surface, creating a luxurious topping.
- Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the assembled bars until chocolate sets completely, approximately 1-2 hours. Once solidified, extract the creation using parchment edges and slice into elegant rectangles or bite-sized morsels. Store in an airtight container, serving chilled for maximum crispness or at room temperature for a more indulgent experience.
Notes
- Optimize Base Texture: Crush pretzels and rice cereal uniformly to ensure consistent crunchiness throughout the bars, preventing soggy or uneven layers.
- Control Caramel Temperature: Use a candy thermometer to monitor caramel’s precise temperature, avoiding burning or under-cooking which can compromise the rich, golden flavor profile.
- Chocolate Coating Technique: Temper chocolate slowly and stir consistently to prevent seizing or developing an unappetizing grainy texture during melting process.
- Storage and Serving Flexibility: Let bars rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, enhancing their creamy caramel and smooth chocolate experience while maintaining structural integrity.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg