These chocolate pretzel peanut butter blondies are insanely addictive! Delicate, chewy blondies are packed with peanut butter chips and chocolate pretzels. Next, they’re topped with a thin layer of chocolate and even more chocolate pretzels. They’re soft like brownies but full of satisfying crunch. You don’t want to miss this epic blondie recipe!
If you’re a fan of sweet and salty desserts like I am, then these chocolate pretzel peanut butter blondies are my gift to you. They have the flavors and textures I crave in a dessert recipe. Chocolate pretzels provide a sweet and salty crunch, while peanut butter chips add even more texture and a rich flavor that compliments the other ingredients.
It’s hard to stop at just one. I tried! These blondies are great for serving at parties, and they also travel well, making them perfect for bringing to potlucks or offering up as a tasty gift.
What Are Blondies?
Blondies are very similar to a brownie except for the fact that they use brown sugar in place of cocoa. This creates a more chewy texture and a flavor reminiscent of butterscotch. You can think of them as a cookie but in bar form.
Are you looking for a classic brownie recipe instead? Check out my homemade brownies!
How to Make Blondies
These are so easy to make! More so than cookies or brownies, in my opinion. The process is similar to preparing muffins. You mix the wet ingredients in one bowl, the dry in another, and then you combine everything into one bowl. Spread the mixture into an 8×8 brownie pan and bake for approximately 25 minutes!
To prepare the topping, simply brush melted chocolate on top of the cooled blondies, then sprinkle chopped chocolate pretzels on top. Once the chocolate cools down, it sets and the topping is locked in place.
Why Egg Size Matters in Baking
This recipe calls for large eggs. Using different size eggs can drastically impact baked goods. Don’t substitute a different size unless you have a kitchen scale to measure an equal weight by volume (ounces or grams) to get the same total amount of egg.
Read more about why egg size matters in baking (and how to make substitutions).
How to Measure Flour
For baked goods (as well as desserts like custard and ice cream), I always recommend using a kitchen scale to measure flour by weight instead of volume. Weight (ounces, grams, etc) will always give an accurate measurement of dry goods; volume (cups) can create varied results.
A cup of flour can weigh anywhere from 3 1/2 to 5 ounces. That could make a big difference in your recipe! If you still want to use cups, there’s a proper technique to make sure you get the best results possible.
My post How to Measure Flour explains all of this in more detail.
More Bar Desserts
Love this blondie recipe? You may also enjoy my Blueberry Bars, Malted Milk Ball Blondies, and Nutella Cheesecake Bars! I also love these chocolate chip blondies from Taste of Home.
Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Butter Blondies
Ingredients
Chocolate pretzel peanut butter blondies:
- 4 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 ounces light brown sugar (1 cup, packed)
- 5 ounces all-purpose flour (1 cup using Scoop & Sweep Method)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup peanut butter chips
- 1/2 cup chocolate covered pretzels, coarsely chopped, plus more for topping
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Place an oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, vanilla and brown sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet until smooth, then stir in the peanut butter chips and chocolate covered pretzels.
- Pour into the greased pan, spreading the mixture evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While the blondies are cooling, place the bittersweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 15-20 increments, stirring every time, until the chocolate is smooth and shiny.
- Once the blondies have partially cooled (they don't have to be completely at room temperature), brush a thin layer of chocolate on top, then sprinkle evenly with more chopped chocolate pretzels.
- Let the bars finish cooling as the chocolate topping sets. The chocolate will firm back up, sealing the pretzel topping onto the bars. Slice into 9 or 16 even blondies and serve.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Jill says
I would make cookies, or muffins, or even these blondies! They look so good!
melissa@the hungry artist says
The famous Jacques Torres cookies!
melissa@the hungry artist says
I’m already a FB fan and follow you on Twitter, but now I am following you on pinterest!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Um, I would totally make these. Chocolate, pretzels and pb in my beloved blondies? YES PLEASE!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Wow, these blondies are packed with all of my favorite things!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
Gorgeous bars!!!
Jenn and Seth says
i’d definitely make some pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips :) your blondies look and sound absolutely fantastic, i too am just loving the combination of sweet and salty!
Rachel says
chocolate chip cookies!
Rachel says
I like both on facebook.
Rachel says
I follow both on twitter.
Elisabeth says
Oh, the possiblities… I’d probably make cinnamon raisin bread because I’m in the mood to bake some bread (and fall is just around the corner, putting my kitchen back in business full-time with no worries of heat and humidity).
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I’m already an email subscriber but I’m here mostly to just say WOW! Funny thing about me; I don’t really care for pretzels by themselves but I love what they bring to the table in other ways. These look and sound terrific.
Liren says
These blondies look amazing! I had no idea that King Arthur made chocolate disks – how fascinating! I think I would have to make some kind of monkey bread. Can you believe I’ve never tried making it before? I’m starting to obsess about it :)
kitchenriffs says
King Arthur does good stuff. Luckily, my local supermarket carries some of their flour – I’ll have to look for the white whole wheat. These blondies look terrific – really good stuff. Thanks.
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} says
I’m already subscribed to you, of course! This looks great! I love the addition of some extra nutrition!!!! I’m not sure what I’d make with it… maybe this recipe! :) YUM.