Chocolate caramel pretzel bark is the perfect sweet and salty treat. It is easy to make and fun to eat. It is topped with candies and chopped peanuts for extra crunch and the drizzle of caramel brings a little bit of chewy richness to bring it all together.

Close up of chocolate pretzel bark with caramel drizzle, chopped peanuts and m&ms on top.

Making homemade candy can be intimidating. Luckily this recipe is super simple using pantry staples and no candy thermometer.

If you can melt chocolate, you can make this tasty bark. The best part is you can easily customize it to make it perfect for your tastes or the occasion.

Side view of pieces of chocolate bark showing pretzel bits inside.

Ingredients ready to be made into chocolate caramel bark with peanuts and candies.

You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate if you prefer. You can even toss on some red and green candies if it is Christmas time.

If you like salted caramel, add an extra little sprinkle of sea salt at the end to make a salted caramel pretzel bark. Or if you prefer less salt, use unsalted peanuts or another kind of chopped nuts.

It is a perfect simple food gift for your favorite sweet tooth. Or make it as a tasty treat for a party or movie night.

Pan of bark with a layer of pretzels topped with chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and M&Ms.

chocolate pretzel bark broken into pieces on cutting board with some on a plate.

Storage

Chocolate bark stores well at room temperature as long as it isn’t in direct sunlight. Obviously slightly cooler temperatures are better so the chocolate doesn’t melt.

Making a Homemade Caramel to Drizzle

I like melting caramels or caramel bits with a little bit of cream to keep it simple, but you can make your own caramel using the recipe below.

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Ingredients:

1 cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1/4-1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt

Saucepan with amber colored caramelized sugar waiting for butter and cream.

Process:

In a medium saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium heat. Once the sugar is dissolved, stop stirring the mixture. Allow it to cook for 6-8 minutes or until it takes on a honey color. Then reduce to low heat and continue cooking for a few more minutes until the sugar is an amber color.
Once the sugar is amber in color, remove from the heat and add the butter. Be careful because the mixture may bubble and it is still really hot.
Stir the butter into the sugar until it is completely melted. Use a whisk to stir the sugar and butter. Drizzle the heavy cream into the mixture and stir.
Sprinkle in the sea salt. Once the caramel is done, pour over the pretzels. You may not use all of the buttery caramel on the bark, but you will surely not let it go to waste!

Ok, now let’s get to the star of the show, the recipe for the bark!

5 from 10 ratings

Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark

Author: Carlee

Servings: Servings

This yummy caramel chocolate pretzel bark could not be easier to make. It is sweet, salty, crunchy and delicious. Plus it is ready to eat in less than twenty minutes!

Prep: 5

Cook: 3

Additional Time 10

Total: 10

Ingredients

▢ 1½ cups mini pretzels
▢ 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
▢ ½ cup M&M’s
▢ ½ cup peanuts chopped
▢ 19 unwrapped caramels (about half 11 ounce bag)
▢ 1 Tablespoon milk or cream

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Arrange 1½ cups mini pretzels in a single layer over the wax or parchment paper.
Place two-thirds of the 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips in a medium glass bowl (eyeballing the amount is fine). Microwave on high in 15-30 seconds intervals, stirring each time, until chips are completely melted.
Add the remaining chocolate chips and stir to combine and melt. Continue to stir until all the chocolate is melted, smooth, and glossy. Don't be tempted to put it back in the microwave to finish melting added chips. It will eventually melt from the residual heat.
Pour melted chocolate over pretzels and spread out to form and even layer.
Sprinkle with ½ cup M&M’s and ½ cup peanuts.
Place 19 unwrapped caramels and 1 Tablespoon milk or cream in a small glass bowl. Melt on high in 30 second intervals until mixture is hot throughout, and the caramel is mostly melted. Stir until the mixture is completely smooth, then drizzle over the bark. The chocolate doesn't have to be set before drizzling on the caramel.
Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to set completely, then cut into pieces and serve.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in a cool dark place for up to a couple of weeks.

Notes

You can also try this recipe with rich dark chocolate or creamy milk chocolate if you prefer. You can even try white chocolate for something different. Bark recipes are meant to be fun and can be easily adapted to your tastes.