Pretzel Crusted Brownies

A crunchy pretzel crust under a fudgy banana brownie topped with the most heavenly hazelnut chocolate ganache ever created. These Pretzel Crusted Brownies are absolute heaven in a pan!

If you love brownies as much as we do, be sure to check out our list of 25 Favorite Brownie Recipes!

Sweet & Salty Brownies

Chocolate Brownies are my love language. Milky Way Brownies, Mint Brownies, Cookie Dough Brownies – fresh from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it 100% impossible for me to pass up every. time.

These pretzel brownies are a delicious variation that needs to happen in your home this week! They are deliciously fudgy on top, with a salty pretzel crust that’s simply amazing!

Ingredients You’ll Need

for the crust – 

• pretzels + melted butter

for the brownies – 

• butter
• cocoa
• water
• sugar
• vanilla
• mashed banana
• eggs
• flour
• baking powder
• salt

for the ganache

• Nutella + heavy whipping cream
• crushed pretzels, to sprinkle on top when the pretzels are cooled

How To Make Pretzel Crusted Brownies

Prep – Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Next, place the pretzels in a large bag and seal it. Then crush them into small pieces with a rolling pin or heavy spoon.

Crust Prep – What makes these brownies amazing, is the pretzel crust. To make it, add the pretzel crumbs to a 9×13 pan and drizzle 5 tablespoons melted butter over the top.

Flatten – Stir the butter and pretzels together to combine and then press everything onto the bottom of the pan to form the crust. Then set the pan aside.

Brownies – Now it’s time to make the brownies. Grab a large bowl, melt the butter, then stir in cocoa, water, sugar, vanilla, banana, and eggs. Then, stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.

Spread – Pour the brownie batter on top of pretzel crust and carefully spread to edges forming an even layer on top.

Cook – Bake the pretzel brownies for about 20-25 minutes or until they have set. Then let the brownies completely cool.

Topping – Now it’s time to make the delicious topping. Using a medium bowl, add in the Nutella and whipping cream and then microwave it for about a minute.

Spread – Whisk everything together until it’s completely mixed and then spread it on top of cooled brownies.

Chill – Refrigerate the pretzel brownies for about 4 hours prior to serving. The longer the brownies are refrigerated, the more set the ganache will be.

Serve – Sprinkle with crushed pretzels, and ENJOY! Here is the printable recipe card for your convenience.

More Easy Brownie Recipes

• Best Homemade Brownie Recipe
• Easy Cake Mix Brownies
• Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies
• Toasted Coconut & Dark Chocolate Brownies
• Caramel & Chocolate Brownie Recipe

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Pretzel Crusted Brownies

Servings: 12 brownies

A crunchy pretzel crust under a fudgy banana brownie, topped with the most heavenly hazelnut chocolate ganache ever created. These Pretzel Crusted Brownies are absolute heaven in a pan!

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:25 minutes mins

refrigeration time:3 hours hrs

Total Time:3 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

for the crust –

• 3 cups pretzels
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted

for the brownies –

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1-2/3 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 banana, mashed
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1-1/3 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

for the ganache

• 13 oz. Nutella
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• crushed pretzels, to sprinkle on top when the pretzels are cooled

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large food storage bag, add pretzels and seal. Crush into small pieces with a rolling pin or heavy spoon.
  
• Add pretzel crumbs to 9×13 pan and drizzle with 5 tablespoons melted butter. Stir to combine and then press onto the bottom of the pan to form the crust. Set aside.
  
• In a large bowl, melt 3/4 cup butter. Stir in cocoa, water, sugar, vanilla, banana, and eggs. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
  
• Pour brownie batter on top of pretzel crust and carefully spread to edges.
  
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the brownies are set. Let the brownies cool completely.
  
• In a medium bowl, add Nutella and whipping cream and microwave for one minute.
  
• Whisk together and then spread on top of cooled brownies.
  
• Refrigerate 3-4 hours prior to serving. The longer the brownies are refrigerated, the more set the ganache will be.
  
• Sprinkle with crushed pretzels, and ENJOY!
  

Nutrition

Serving: 1 brownie · Calories: 505 kcal · Carbohydrates: 49 g · Protein: 7 g · Fat: 33 g · Saturated Fat: 23 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 91 mg · Sodium: 475 mg · Potassium: 317 mg · Fiber: 4 g · Sugar: 24 g · Vitamin A: 766 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 71 mg · Iron: 3 mg

Other Notes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brownies, chocolate, nutella

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Melanie is the delicious food blogger from Melanie Makes. She loves to make everyday eats a bit more interesting, and believes that every dessert can be made better with chocolate ganache! Melanie was a food contributor on Somewhat Simple in  2014.