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The easiest 8 ingredients Salted Pretzel Magic Bars. These are some of the best cookie bars…rich and decadent, heavy on the chocolate, and oh so gooey! Made with pretzels, vanilla, sweet, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, chocolate chips, and peanuts for a cookie bar that’s addictingly delicious. Every bite is slightly crisp on top but soft and gooey in the center with just a bite of pretzel crunch. So DELICIOUS. Absolutely nothing not to love about these salty, sweet Magic Bars. Bonus? These bars are easy to make, use simple ingredients, and take only minutes to prep. They’re deliciously easy, they’re magical!
Happy Friday! Happy Snow Day! It’s been snowing hardcore here since Wednesday, so happy snow week/weekend for us. Perfect baking weather.
Right off the bat, I’m just going to say, these bars are really, really, hard not to love.
So let’s just jump right into them.
As I said above, they have that salty-sweet combination that truly keeps everyone coming back for seconds…and thirds. And on top of their deliciousness, they couldn’t be easier to make.
Soo, you see? They’re magic! In all seriousness though, they really are pretty amazing. Do you remember the Magic Bars your mom or grandma used to make? Well, these are those bars, only better.
Here’s the quick story
I’ve been wanting to share my mom’s Magic Bar recipe for the longest time, but just never found the perfect time. When we had a giant snow day this past week, the only thing I felt like doing was baking. I remembered back to these bars, and just like that, I found the perfect time to bake up mom’s Magic Bars.
Except, when I looked back at her recipe, I realized that the bars she makes are made with graham crackers. Don’t get me wrong, I love graham crackers, but I love them in a S’more, or maybe dipped in cold milk (does anyone else do this?). Not in my chocolate bars. And that’s when I had the idea for pretzels. It’s not rocket science or genius by any means, but it sure made these Magic Bars just a touch more delicious than all the rest out there.
Bold statement, but in my eyes, it’s true.
Here are the details.
The things about magic bars? They’re EASY. Which is one part of the “magic”.
Just mix a bunch of pretzel crumbs with melted butter, then press that mix into a baking dish. Now layer on the sweetened condensed milk (this is the key ingredient that really holds everything together). Then add the coconut, so many chocolate chips, and salty peanuts…and bake.
Twenty minutes later you’ll have the sweetest, prettiest Salted Pretzel Magic Bars. Simple as that.
Since these bars are very, very gooey when they come out of the oven, it’s best to really let them cool before cutting them. Usually, I’m all about cutting into bars warms, but with these, you’ve got to let them set up before you cut…unless you want to eat your bars with a fork. In which case, by all means, enjoy these warm out of the oven.
Yummmm.
Otherwise, let them cool. If you want to add a little extra touch, you can drizzle the top of the bars with melted chocolate. It’s not needed, but I love the look of the chocolate drizzle and we all know you can never have too much chocolate.
And if you’re into it, a little sprinkle of sea salt on top really seals the deal!
And that’s it. Do you see?
So simple, they’re magic. But what else makes them magic…they’re chocolatey, salty, sweet, gooey, and have just the tiniest bit of CRUNCH. Basically, they’re everything you could want out of a dessert bar.
I love to double the recipe, then cut up the second batch and send them off with my brothers to gift to everyone they snowboard with. Red especially loves bringing his friends HBH treats and these are always the biggest hit.
As I said, they’re pretty hard not to love.
Soo with that, how about some Friday night baking? These are easy enough to have mixed up and baked in less than an hour. And my guess is that you already have all the ingredients on hand. Bake that double batch and save the second batch for Sunday’s game. They’ll make the perfect Super Bowl dessert!
Looking for more quick desserts? Here are a few to try:
Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Lastly, if you make these salted pretzel magic bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Salted Pretzel Magic Bars
Servings: 22 bars
Calories Per Serving: 341 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pretzel crumbs, plus extra pretzels for topping
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup roasted peanuts (or any other toasted nut)
- melted chocolate, for drizzling (optional)
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment. 2. In a bowl, combine the pretzel crumbs, butter, and vanilla. Press the mix into the prepared baking dish. Gently pour the condensed milk over the pretzels in an even layer. Sprinkle the coconut flakes evenly over the condensed milk, then add 2 cups chocolate chips in an even layer and then layer on the nuts. Sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Add a handful of pretzels, if desired. Press down with a fork to help submerge everything. 3. Bake the bars for 25 minutes. If desired, drizzle over a little melted chocolate. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (if desired). Let cool before slicing.
This post was originally published on February 5, 2021
Would love to make but need to sub out coconut. What’s your best recommendation? Thanks!
Hey Lisa,
I would use an equal amount of oats in place of the coconut. I hope you enjoy the recipe. Let me know how they turn out! xTieghan
What’s a good swap for the coconut flakes? I can’t stand them…
Hey Melissa,
I would use an equal amount of oats in place of the coconut. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I’ve been following you for awhile now and I just wanted to say how visually stunning your photographs are. I cannot wait to try all of your recipes!
Thank you so very much Renee:) xTieghan
I actually made these. ?
They’re really tasty, not too sweet IMO.
The pretzel’s saltyness offset the sweet, so I recommend. I used Cashews and Walnuts.
Good recipe.
Hey Sydney,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
These look fantastic. How long will they last before pretzels get stale? Thanks!
Hey Natalie,
They should be totally fine as long as your store in an airtight container. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I love this idea – I am not a fan of graham crackers and pretzel crumbs make so much sense (plus add a nice salty bite)!! will try this weekend 🙂
Thanks so much Laurie! I hope you love the recipe:) xTieghan
Everyone asking about the pretzel bits on top – I think this is when you’re supposed to put them on: “Sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Add a handful of pretzels, if desired. Press down with a fork to help submerge everything” So once you’ve put on the chocolate chips, then put the pretzels on top and then bake. At least that’s how I interpreted it.
And for pretzel crumbs I think you just blitz pretzels in the food processor, like in one of the first pics.
This looks delicious! Excited to try it out.
Thanks Heather! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
These look INCREDIBLE!! And such perfect photography from you, as always. I cannot wait to make these ASAP. Thanks for another go-to yummy recipe. Friyay night, snowy baking here I come. 🙂
Thanks so much Nicole! I hope you love the recipe:) xTieghan
I wanted to know about the pretzel sticks too!! Definitely making these for the weekend!
Hey Patrish,
The pretzel sticks are added at the end of step 2. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Graham crackers dipped in milk are a must. Or, spread some butter on the graham cracker and wash it down with some cold milk a la my childhood. This recipe looks awesome – can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Kelli! I hope you love the recipe:) xTieghan
It looks like yours have pretzels on top but the recipe doesn’t indicate that?
Hey Holly,
The pretzel sticks are added at the end of step 2. I hope you love them! xTieghan
Where are the pretzel sticks in the recipe? Thx
Hey Diane,
The pretzel sticks are added at the end of step 2. Let me know how they turn out! xTieghan
HI – any substitute suggestions for peanuts? Allergies in the house…
Hey Diane,
You could use cashews in place of peanuts. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I’ve never heard of pretzel crumbs…so I’m just going to do that on the fly…but when do you add the pretzels on the top? This is going on my super bowl menu thanks T your recipes are always visual beautiful in addition to delicious
Hey there,
You are going to add the pretzels on top at the end of step 2. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
The pretzel sticks on top take this to the next level visually. How and when do you garnish with the pretzels? Thanks.
Hey Emie,
The pretzels are added at the end of step 2. I hope you love these bars, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan