A delightful blend of sweet and salty, these chocolate pretzel bars are a decadent treat. Crafted by Justin Chapple of Food & Wine, this simple recipe yields a rich and satisfying dessert.
What is a Pretzel?
Wheat flour dough forms the base of a pretzel, a popular baked good known for its distinctive knotted shape. After boiling the dough in an alkaline solution, bakers bake it, resulting in a unique brown color and crisp exterior. Salt often flavors pretzels, but sugar, cinnamon, or other seasonings can also enhance their taste.
What are the Key Ingredients in Pretzels?
To create those classic, chewy pretzels, you’ll need a few essential ingredients:
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the dough.
- Water: This is used to hydrate the flour and create the dough.
- Yeast: This leavening agent helps the dough rise and develop its characteristic airy texture.
- Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the pretzels and controls the yeast activity.
- Sugar: A small amount of sugar feeds the yeast, promoting its growth.
- Oil: Oil is used to coat the dough and prevent it from sticking.
- Baking soda: This alkaline solution gives pretzels their distinctive brown color and crisp exterior.
Why Aren’t My Chocolate-Covered Pretzels Hardening?
If your chocolate-covered pretzels aren’t hardening, there are a few potential culprits. Let’s explore some common reasons and solutions:
1. Temperature Issues:
- Room Temperature: Ideal room temperature for chocolate work is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (18-20 degrees Celsius). Higher temperatures can prevent the chocolate from setting properly.
- Refrigerator Time: If your pretzels are still soft after cooling at room temperature, placing them in the refrigerator for a short time can help accelerate the hardening process.
2. Chocolate Quality:
- Tempering: Ensure that your chocolate is properly tempered. Tempering involves heating and cooling chocolate to specific temperatures, which stabilizes the cocoa butter crystals and improves the chocolate’s shine, snap, and melting properties.
- Chocolate Type: Using a high-quality chocolate with a good cocoa butter content is crucial for proper setting. Dark chocolate, in particular, tends to set faster than milk or white chocolate.
3. Coating Technique:
- Excess Chocolate: Too much chocolate can hinder the hardening process. Aim for a thin, even coat.
- Dipping Technique: Dip the pretzels quickly and smoothly to avoid creating air bubbles, which can prevent the chocolate from setting properly.
By addressing these factors, you can ensure that your chocolate-covered pretzels harden to perfection, resulting in a delicious and visually appealing treat.
Ingredients Sweet and Salty Chocolate Pretzel Bars:
- 14 ounces graham crackers, finely ground
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (10-ounce) bag bittersweet chocolate chips
- 6 ounces thin hard pretzels, broken
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions Sweet and Salty Chocolate Pretzel Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides.
- Mix and Firmly Press: In a medium bowl, whisk together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Press the mixture down firmly into the prepared pan.
- Make the chocolate filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Pour the mixture over the crust.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the pretzels over the chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are firm.
- Cool and serve: Let cool completely before refrigerating for at least 45 minutes. Cut into bars and enjoy.
Tips:
- For a nuttier flavor, add chopped nuts like pecans or almonds to the crust.
- Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Typical Nutrition Information per Serving (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 150-180
- Total Fat: 6-8g
- Saturated Fat: 2-3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 100-150mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 20-25g
- Dietary Fiber: 1-2g
- Total Sugars: 10-15g
- Protein: 2-3g
