These Cracker Jack Pretzel Bars are a quick and easy no-bake dessert that will please everyone! They are loaded with sweet and salty goodness, and they just take a few minutes to put together. Plus, they are so pretty that they would be perfect for any special occasion!
Cracker Jack Pretzel Bars - Easy No-Bake Dessert
I am a huge fan of anything that is sweet and salty. And these Cracker Jack Pretzel Bars definitely fit the bill! They are so easy to make, and they are always a big hit whenever I bring them to a party or potluck.
If you are looking for an easy no-bake dessert that is sure to please, then you need to try these Cracker Jack Pretzel Bars!
How do you serve this easy no-bake dessert?
I like to cut them into small squares and serve them as a finger food. But you could also cut them into larger bars and serve them as a dessert.
If you are serving these at a school party, I would recommend that you put each one in an individual cupcake container because there's a bit of stickiness to the top layer and you don't want them sticking together.
What Goes into Making Cracker Jack Pretzel Bars?
There are so few ingredients required and that makes this easy no-bake dessert that much easier to make! Here are the few items you'll need:
- ¾ cup butter
- 5 ½ cups marshmallows
- 7 cups cracker jacks
- 4 cups coarsely chopped salted mini pretzels
- 1 cup cocktail peanuts
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Kitchen Tools Needed
How to Make Cracker Jack Pretzel Bars
Generously coat a cake pan with butter and set aside.
In a bowl, add 3 cups of the marshmallows, cracker jacks, chopped pretzels, peanuts, and salt, then set aside.
Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter starts to brown.
Remove the butter from the heat then pour it over the cracker jack mixture.
Stir until well mixed.
Place the cracker jacks mixture into the butter-coated pan, pressing it into the bottom to kind of compress the items together a little.
Set the pan in the fridge in order to chill and set for 10 minutes.
With the remaining marshmallows, place them in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the marshmallows are melted and smooth.
Pour the melted marshmallows over the crackerjack mixture in the pan, spreading it across the top in a thin layer quickly before the melted marshmallow cools.
Return the cake pan to the fridge for an additional 10 minutes.
Remove the cake pan from the fridge and cut the candy into bars and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do they call it "cracker jack"?
The term "cracker jack" is actually a brand name. It was first used in 1896, and it comes from the Cracker Jack candy company. The term "cracker jack" has become a generic term for anything that is sweet and salty. And these bars definitely fit that description!
What kind of pretzels should I use?
I like to use mini pretzel twists for this recipe, but you can really use any type of pretzel that you like. If you want to make things even easier, you could use pre-made pretzel chunks!
Can I add other toppings to these bars?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and add your own favorite toppings. Some other ideas that would be delicious are chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit. Maybe even a drizzle of caramel would be a fun addition!
Tips for Storing Cracker Jack Pretzel Bites
These Cracker Jack Pretzel Bites will last for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container. But if you are anything like me, they probably won't even make it that long! They are just too good to resist!
So if you find yourself with leftovers, be sure to share them with your friends and family. I'm sure they will be just as thankful as I am for this delicious treat!
And who knows...maybe they'll even be inspired to come up with their own creative toppings! Either way, enjoy!
Looking for More No-Bake Desserts?
If you love the idea of a no-bake dessert so your kitchen doesn't heat up unnecessarily, join the club! We will be adding more delicious ideas here soon, but for now, check out these favorites that are often on our dessert menu. Make sure you bookmark the recipes or print them out so you will have them on hand when you need an easy treat!
Recipe
Cracker Jack Pretzel Bars
Simple and fast, this is a fun and unique treat that is perfect for any potluck. And no one is going to turn down cracker jack pretzel bites for a sweet and salty dessert.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (170g) butter
- 5 ½ cups (275g) marshmallows
- 7 cups (392g) cracker jacks
- 4 cups (180g) coarsely chopped salted mini pretzels
- 1 cup (112g) cocktail peanuts
- ¾ teaspoon (4.5g) kosher salt
Instructions
- Generously coat a cake pan with butter and set aside.
- In a bowl, add 3 cups of the marshmallows, cracker jacks, chopped pretzels, peanuts, and salt, then set aside.
- Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter starts to brown.
- Remove the butter from the heat then pour it over the cracker jack mixture.
- Stir until well mixed.
- Place the cracker jacks mixture into the butter-coated pan, pressing it into the bottom to kind of compress the items together a little.
- Set the pan in the fridge in order to chill and set for 10 minutes.
- With the remaining marshmallows, place them in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the marshmallows are melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted marshmallows over the crackerjack mixture in the pan, spreading it across the top in a thin layer quickly before the melted marshmallow cools.
- Return the cake pan to the fridge for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove the cake pan from the fridge and cut the candy into bars and serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
18Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 6Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 44mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
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