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
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
yummychunklet says
These brownies look very delicious!
jacquie says
already a big fan of KA and use it all the time – so it would depend on what was next on the baking “to do” list – bread, cookies, granola, whatever.
i wish i did facebook, twitter or pininterest so i could have more entries in this great giveaway
jacquie says
already get KA email
Kate says
I’d make these blondies!
Kate says
I liked both on Facebook. {scratch stitch}
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I love King Arthur’s flour. I learned about this brand flour when I was into making French baguette. I had to have really delicious flour and this was it. I went from Gold Medal brand to this, and oh boy, it was very clear that the four does make a difference especially the majority of ingredient is flour! Anyway, I love your gorgeous blondies. I’ve saw them on facebook earlier and I needed to see from a big screen. :) Great giveaway too. I follow your blog via RSS. And follow you everywhere. I already use this flour so please give others more chances to win!
karen says
I’d use the flour to make some cheddar and green onion scones!
Thanks for the giveaway. I subscribed via email.
karenreichmann@hotmail.com
Debra says
Terrific recipe and giveaway opportunity! I hope you have this one on your Pinterest board! This is a definite re-pin! Debra
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Chocolate, peanut butter and pretzels are a great combination. How can you feel guilty eating one of your blondies when you are adding fiber to your diet.
spree says
Really a scrumptious looking bar J! I think I like absolutely everything about it. Yes, I’m positive I do. And your photography, as always, superb!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I’ve never baked with white whole wheat flour, and I’d love to try it in a brownie recipe!
Ashley - baker by nature says
I’m a blondie fanatic! I make at least a batch a week – these are next!
Cori says
Carrot cake!
FrancineS says
I subscribe by email and would make these PB blondies
FrancineS says
I’m FB fans of SS and King Arthur