a crowd). Use a small spatula to lift the bars out of the glass dish. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Variations & Tips
For a slightly less sweet version, use dark chocolate chips (60–70% cacao) instead of semi-sweet; the bitterness balances the caramel nicely. If you only have unsalted pretzels, add a small pinch of fine salt to the crushed pretzels when you mix them with the melted butter to keep that classic sweet-and-salty contrast Grandma Doris loved. You can also vary the texture by crushing the pretzels more finely for a firmer, cookie-like crust or leaving larger chunks for extra crunch.
For a thicker caramel layer, increase the caramel sauce to 1 1/2 cups, but be sure to chill fully so the bars slice cleanly. If your caramel sauce is very loose, simmer
