(No Bake) Red, White, and Blue Crack Bars

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Check out the recipe below for some patriotic no-bake caramel pretzel crack bars that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

These bars called No-Bake Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars have a combination of sweet and salty flavors. They consist of crunchy pretzels with creamy caramel and rich chocolate layers, creating an irresistible snack that's great for sharing. This treat is also commonly known as a Christmas crack and can sometimes be made with saltines.

caramel crack barsPhoto byLucee Santini

These Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars are a quick and delicious dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth. With only a few basic ingredients, they can be prepared quickly. Additionally, they make a great dessert for patriotic holidays like Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.

The recipe requires caramel, but instead of using caramel bits, I prefer to substitute with brown sugar and butter. However, if you prefer to use caramel bits, you can replace it with an 11-ounce bag of Kraft caramel bits and 2 tablespoons of water. Melt the mixture in the microwave for one and a half to two minutes.

Red White and Blue crack barsPhoto byLucee Santini

No Bake Caramel Pretzel Crack Bars: Red, White, and Blue

Supplies

• parchment paper
• cookie sheet (I used a nonstick Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Baking Sheet)
• large mixing bowl
• microwave-safe bowl

Ingredients

• 1 16oz Bag Pretzel twists
• 11.5 oz bag of Hershey’s milk chocolate chips (you don’t have to use a bag of Hershey’s)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup melted butter
• 1 Cup Red Candy Melts
• 1 Cup Blue Candy Melts
• 1 Cup White Candy Melts

Directions

• To begin, take a small glass bowl and empty the Hershey chocolate chips into it, but keep aside around ¼ cup of the chips for later use. Heat these chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until they are melted.
• If your pan is nonstick, you don't need to line it with parchment paper. Otherwise, spread the melted chocolate on a large baking sheet or a parchment-lined cookie sheet. I used a Le Cru.
• Arrange the pretzels on the top of the chocolate layer.
• Combine butter and brown sugar in a pot on medium-low heat and then bring to boil 
• Heat the caramel until it has melted, then spread it over the pretzels.
• To make the caramel layer, complete the previous steps and let it cool. Afterward, melt the ¼ cup of chocolate chips that are left using the microwave, and pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer.

pretzels covered in chocolatePhoto byLucee Santini

• Melt the red, white, and blue candy melts and then spread them over the chocolate pretzel bark.Put the mixture in the freezer and leave it for at least one hour.

More Fun

• Adding vanilla and sea salt is something that some people do.
• Additionally, you have the option to make these using half a cup of Reese's peanut butter chips.
• You can also use dark chocolate. 
• You have the option of creating one layer or two layers of pretzels.
• Instead of using sugar and butter, you can substitute with an 11.5 oz bag of Kraft caramel bits and 2 tablespoons.
• Remember to use an airtight container to store the items.
• You can enhance the flavor by using either a graham cracker crust or white chocolate.

Enjoy!