Peanut Butter Pretzel Caramel Chocolate Bars

CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD:
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup natural unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup (8 ounces, 16 tablespoons) butter, melted (I use salted)

CARAMEL LAYER:
14 ounces soft caramels, unwrapped (Trader Joe's, Brach's etc)
1/4 cup heavy cream
1-1/2 cups (4 to 4.5 ounces) lightly crushed or broken pretzel sticks

PEANUT BUTTER LAYER:
1 cup creamy peanut butter (see note)
1/4 cup (4 TBS) butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS
1. For the shortbread layer: preheat the oven to 350℉. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan (can also line with parchment paper). Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until a soft dough forms. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set (I like the crust slightly under baked so it's not dry and crumbly). Cool completely.

3. For the pretzel caramel layer: in a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels and cream and microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and melted. Option 1: spread caramel over the cooled chocolate shortbread layer and sprinkle with crushed pretzels. Option 2: stir the pretzels into the warm caramel and dollop across chocolate shortbread layer, pressing into an even layer with greased hands.

3. For the peanut butter layer: in a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and vainlla, and beat with an electric mixer until creamy and fluffy, 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Spread over the pretzel caramel layer. Refrigerate while making the chocolate ganache.

4. For the chocolate ganache: add the chocolate chips to a medium bowl. Microwave or heat the cream on the stovetop until just below a simmer. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Let sit for 2-3 minutes. Stir to combine until glossy and smooth. Let cool for a few minutes until no longer warm. Spread over the peanut butter layer. 

5. Refrigerate the bars until set, at least 20 minutes but up to 24 hours. If refrigerated longer than an hour or so, take the bars out 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving so the caramel layer softens just a bit.

from Mel's Kitchen Cafe