This pretzel crack is crunchy, creamy and chocolaty! This quick and easy recipe is ready in under 25 minutes. It has amazing salty and sweet flavors. Make this fun snack for the Christmas holiday season, birthdays and more!

Pretzel crack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This pretzel crack is quick and easy.
  • Only a few ingredients needed. This Banana Bark and this Valentine’s Bark are just as easy!
  • The salty pretzels and sweet chocolate work so well together.
  • Both kids and adults love this recipe.
  • These Christmas Oreos are another fun recipe.
  • This is great for Christmas.
  • Serve in a gift box, as part of a charcuterie board or by themselves.
  • This recipe can be made gluten free.
  • Check out this Rolo Pretzels Recipe for another holiday favorite!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for pretzel crack. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Use either regular or gluten free pretzels. Any type of pretzels work except pretzel rods may be tricky. If desired, replace with graham crackers or saltine crackers. Try these 7 Layer Bars too!

I used gluten free pretzels for this gluten free Christmas crack.

Use unsalted butter. Dairy free or Vegan butter can be used if needed.

Light brown sugar adds the caramel flavor. When baked, it tastes like a delicious toffee.

Melted chocolate adds the smooth creamy top layer. Feel free to use sugar free or Vegan chocolate if needed.

Lastly, top with sprinkles. Or, consider topping with toffee bits, chopped walnuts or pecans.

Pretzels, chocolate and butter.

What is Christmas Crack?

Christmas crack is a fun holiday treat usually consisting of saltine crackers, caramel sauce, chocolate and toffee.

The layers are as follows: saltine crackers, homemade caramel, melted chocolate, then toffee bits on top.

After freezing, then break into pieces.

Christmas crack is quick and easy to make. Serve it in tin boxes as gifts (maybe alongside some popcorn). Or, eat it by itself.

This pretzel crack is made with pretzels instead of crackers. Other variations include graham crackers.

Taste & Texture

This Christmas crack with pretzels is sweet and salty. It tastes exactly as it looks. The caramel sauce has a slight toffee flavor.

The textures are crunchy, creamy, and smooth.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Place the pretzels in one even layer.

Pretzels on pan.

Step 3

In a saucepan, add the butter and light brown sugar.

Butter and brown sugar in pan.

Step 4

Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes or until thickened. Stir constantly.

Bubbly caramel sauce.
Homemade caramel sauce.

Step 5

Remove caramel from heat. Pour over the pretzel layer.

Caramel pretzels.

Step 6

Then, place pan in oven. Bake for 5 minutes.

Step 7

Remove pretzel crack from oven. Pour over melted chocolate.

Chocolate spread on pan.

Step 8

Carefully spread chocolate into one even layer. Top with sprinkles if desired.

Melted chocolate in pan.
Christmas holiday sprinkles.

Step 9

Place pan in freezer for at least 15 minutes or until hardened.

Chocolate covered pretzels in pan.

Step 10

Finally, remove pan from freezer. Break bark into bite sized pieces.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Use fresh pretzels, not stale.

Stir the caramel sauce constantly to prevent burning.

Allow the bark to freeze for at least 15 minutes. This is the bare minimum.

For easy breaking and eating, freeze for 1 hour or more.

Holiday pretzel crack bars.

Flavor Variations & Add Ins

Consider these fun flavor variations.

Instead of pretzels, use saltines or graham crackers.

Use melted white chocolate.

Use melted mint chocolate.

Sprinkle toffee bits on top.

Sprinkle walnuts or pecans on top.

How to Serve & Store

Serve pretzel crack once hardened.

For the holidays, serve alongside other Christmas sweet treats.

They are great with these Puff Pastry Christmas Trees, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and Vegan Gingerbread Cookies.

Wrap it up and serve as a gift.

Store in the fridge or freezer. They should not be stored at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace the pretzels?

Sure! Use saltine crackers or graham crackers.

Can I use store bought caramel?

Sure. It may be a little more gooey but it should work.

What type of chocolate should I use?

Any type of chocolate that melts well will work.

What type of pretzels should I use?

Other than pretzel rods, use any type of pretzels.

Caramel pretzel bars.

You May Also Like

If you make this pretzel crack recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Christmas Recipes.

Pretzel crack.
At a Glance:
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Chill Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes

Get the Recipe: Pretzel Crack

This pretzel crack recipe is crunchy, creamy and chocolaty! It has the best sweet and salty flavors. This recipe requires only a few ingredients and few minutes to make. It is especially great for the Christmas holiday season!
4.60 from 5 votes
US Customary – Metric
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 ½ cups pretzels, regular or gluten free
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup melted chocolate
  • sprinkles, optional

Instructions 

  • First, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Place the pretzels in one even layer in pan.
  • In a small saucepan, add butter and light brown sugar.
  • Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly.
  • Remove caramel from heat. Pour over pretzels.
  • Then, place pan in oven. Bake for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from oven. Pour over melted chocolate.
  • Carefully spread chocolate into one even layer. Top with sprinkles if desired.
  • Place pan in freezer for at least 15 minutes or until hardened.
  • Finally, remove pan from freezer. Break bark into bite sized pieces.

Notes

  • Use gluten free or regular pretzels.  Or, consider using saltine crackers.
  • I recommend using unsalted butter.  The pretzels provide enough salt.
  • Constantly stir the caramel sauce as it cooks.  It can easily burn if left unattended.
  • Caramel will start to bubble and thicken up.  See photos above for reference.  Do not burn.
  • Freeze for at least 15 minutes.  This is the bare minimum.  At this point, the caramel will still be a little sticky and soft.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Calories: 317kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Sodium: 196mg, Potassium: 205mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 29mg, Iron: 2mg
Author: Addison LaBonte
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American

Love this holiday healthy pretzel crack? You can sign up here to receive healthy meal plans, exclusive new recipes and updates!