Peanut Butter Pretzel Delight Bars
These Peanut Butter Pretzel Delight Bars are a decadent treat inspired by the beloved Chubby Hubby Ice Cream flavor. Packed with a delightful combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips, salty miniature pretzel twists, and creamy peanut butter chips, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and salty. With a rich, buttery base that embraces the crunch of pretzels and the richness of chocolate, every bite delivers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors. Ideal for sharing with friends and family or for indulging in a sweet personal treat, they’re sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 cups (measured)
baking soda
1 teaspoon (measured)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
unsalted butter
3/4 cup (softened to room temperature)
light brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup (measured)
large eggs
2 (beaten)
vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (measured)
semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup (measured)
miniature pretzel twists
1 1/2 cups (coarsely chopped)
peanut butter chips
1/4 cup (for topping)
chocolate chips
1/4 cup (for topping)
pretzel crumbs
1/4 cup (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving a slight overhang to help lift the bars out later, and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter and both sugars (brown and granulated) together on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition before adding the vanilla extract. Continue to beat until well blended.
5
On low speed, gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
6
Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, coarsely chopped pretzel twists, and peanut butter chips using a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7
Spread the cookie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, pressing it down gently but firmly to create an even layer. Top with a sprinkle of additional peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and crumbled pretzels for extra texture and flavor.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9
Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, carefully lift the bars out using the foil overhang, place them on a cutting board, and slice them into even squares for serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Peanut Butter Pretzel Delight Bars?
They are a decadent dessert bar inspired by Chubby Hubby ice cream, featuring a mix of semi-sweet chocolate, salty pretzels, and creamy peanut butter chips in a buttery base.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the bars.
What size baking pan should I use?
This recipe is designed for a 9x13 inch baking pan.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Line the pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang for easy lifting, and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
How long do the bars need to bake?
Bake the bars for approximately 30 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
What type of pretzels are best for this recipe?
Miniature pretzel twists are recommended. They should be coarsely chopped before being folded into the dough.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, but you may want to reduce the additional salt in the recipe to avoid making the bars too salty.
Do I need to use an electric mixer?
An electric mixer is recommended to beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes.
What ingredients are used for the topping?
The recipe calls for a sprinkle of additional peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and crumbled pretzels on top before baking.
Should the butter be melted or softened?
The butter should be softened to room temperature for the best results when creaming with the sugars.
How many eggs are needed?
This recipe requires two large eggs, which should be beaten and added one at a time.
What makes these bars 'sweet and salty'?
The combination of semi-sweet chocolate, peanut butter chips, and granulated sugars provides the sweetness, while the pretzel pieces and salt provide the salty contrast.
Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Yes, you can substitute dark chocolate chips if you prefer a less sweet, more intense chocolate flavor.
How do I know when the bars are finished baking?
Look for a golden-brown surface and use a toothpick test in the center; it should come out clean.
How should I cool the bars?
Allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to lift them out and slice them.
Why is there an aluminum foil overhang recommended?
The overhang acts as handles, allowing you to carefully lift the entire block of bars out of the pan for easier slicing.
What is the texture of these bars?
They feature a rich, buttery base with a satisfying blend of crunchy pretzels and soft chocolate and peanut butter chips.
Can I use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract?
Yes, you can substitute vanilla bean paste in a 1:1 ratio for the vanilla extract.
Should I pack the brown sugar?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1 cup of packed light brown sugar.
What type of flour is used?
This recipe uses 2 cups of measured all-purpose flour.
Can I use parchment paper instead of foil?
Yes, parchment paper works well and will also allow you to lift the bars out easily after they have cooled.
What order should I add the ingredients?
Mix dry ingredients first, cream butter and sugars, add eggs and vanilla, combine wet and dry, and finally fold in the mix-ins.
Why should I not overmix the batter?
Overmixing the flour can lead to a tougher, denser bar rather than a tender, buttery texture.
Are these bars suitable for a crowd?
Yes, a 9x13 pan yields a large batch that can be sliced into many even squares, making them ideal for sharing.
Can I add extra pretzels to the dough?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups; adding too many more might make the bars crumbly or difficult to hold together.
How should I chop the pretzels?
Coarsely chop them so there are still visible chunks to provide the signature crunch.
What is the purpose of the baking soda?
Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the bars rise slightly and brown during baking.
Can I store these bars for later?
Yes, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, once cooled and sliced, they can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for longer storage.
What inspired this recipe?
The flavor profile is inspired by Chubby Hubby ice cream, which features chocolate, peanut butter, and pretzels.