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Just because it’s Friday…Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Blondies. You don’t need to be a skilled baker to bake up these deliciously EASY blondies. These bars require just one bowl, pantry staple ingredients, and take almost no effort to make. They’re sweet, salty, peanutty, extra chocolatey, and every last bite is truly delicious. The perfect treat to bring along to your next fall dinner or game day outing. Nothing not to love!
The first Friday in September requires something chocolatey and something peanutty, don’t you agree?
I didn’t do this intentionally, but looking back at the first Friday of September over the past couple years, I’ve shared a new peanut butter and chocolate dessert each time. Last year it was these crazy good brownies and the year before, it was buckeye ice cream. It’s clear this time of year has me thinking about all things peanut butter and chocolate…and all things football too.
Why? Because I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. And you want to know possibly the best thing to come out of the state of Ohio?
Buckeyes.
And no, not the ones that fall from the trees, the peanut butter and chocolate kind. Anyone from Ohio knows what I’m talking about, buckeyes are simply the best. If you’re unfamiliar, they are peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. And even though they are simple, they are so so good.
We could not love them more, and to me, they also represent the start of football season. My mom used to make buckeyes every single fall around this time. She was a true pro and I really need to get her recipe and recreate them. I’ve made a healthier version, but not the real deal. Until then, let me tell you about these blondies.
Originally, I had something else planned for today. But the recipe I had planned to share still needs some adjusting, so these blondies came into play. And to be very honest, I like these so much more than what I had planned on sharing anyway. Like so much more.
These blondies are a game-changer. First of all they could not be easier to make. Pantry ingredients, 1 bowl, 15 minutes to prep, 25 minutes to bake, and that’s it. Simple. Simple.
Most importantly though? These blondies are mouthwateringly good. Doughy, peanutty, chocolatey, sweet, and just perfectly salty. Pretty much the best dessert combo there is.
To make these blondies the process is pretty effortless.
Start out by browning salted butter on the stove. Browning the butter really adds a rich nutty flavor to these bars and makes them just a touch cozier. Perfect as we slowly head into the cooler days of Autumn. Once the butter is browned, remove from the stove and dump in all the remaining ingredients. Yes, everything just goes right on in.
Well, don’t add the chocolate chips. Those go in very last after the dough has had a few minutes to cool off a bit.
OK, and don’t add the pretzels either, those go on top.
But everything else? The eggs, the peanut butter, vanilla, flour, etc…it all goes into one pot. Once the dough has cooled off, stir in the chocolate chips, then press the dough into the baking dish, swirl in some additional peanut butter, add the pretzels on top, and bake. Twenty..ish minutes later you’ll have the best, gooiest blondies.
I really can’t describe how good these are. Just trust me here.
Make these this weekend for Sunday’s football game. Then keep the recipe in your back pocket for upcoming fall gatherings, tailgate parties, and soon enough…the holidays. These blondies will be great for it all.
And if you’re looking for something sweet for your Friday night, make these! The combination of peanut butter, sweet chocolate, and salty pretzels is pretty hard not to love. And if you don’t have time to wait for them cool? Grab a fork and dive in – family style.
Warm peanutty, chocolatey, salty blondies…SO GOOD.
So, with that enjoy your weekend, bake blondies, and I’ll see you back here Sunday!
If you make these chocolate peanut butter pretzel blondies be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Blondies
Servings: 20
Calories Per Serving: 1184 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 20 mini pretzel twists
- 1-2 ounces milk chocolate, melted (optional)
- flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.2. Add the butter to a medium pot set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir often. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter, the brown sugar, and sugar. Let this cool until no longer hot, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, and vanilla. Add the flour and baking powder. Transfer the dough to the freezer and chill 5 minutes or until the dough is no longer warm to the touch. Stir in the chocolate chips. 3. Spread 1/2 the dough out into the prepared dish. Dollop and then gently swirl the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter into the dough. Add the remaining dough over top, don't worry if it does not fully cover the peanut butter. Arrange the pretzels over top the dough, gently pressing to adhere. Transfer to the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, just until set in the center. Remove from the oven and drizzle with melted milk chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt (if desired). Let cool. Cut into bars. Store for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
These look amazing! Would recipe work if halved and baked in 8×8 pan?
Hey Andrea,
Yes that should work! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi will it matter if I use Baking soda instead of baking powder? There was none at the store tonight.
Hey Melissa,
So sorry I haven’t tested these with baking soda, but you could certainly give it a go! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Thank you for this recipe!! I have it a twist by replacing the dolloped 1/4 cup peanut butter with black sesame paste and loved the added extra nutty, slightly bitter notes of the black sesame. Next time I think I’ll try adding in some crushed peanuts for even more texture. Love your recipes generally but I think this is the first sweet one I’ve tried – I’m sure it won’t be the last!
Thank you so much Juliana! I am so glad this turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
If you get the chance to eat one of these while it is still warm, go for it!! Made this dessert for our weekly porch party and everyone loved them. Love the salty and sweet combo! My fave! ❤️
Thank you Wendy! I am so glad you loved this one! xTieghan
I made these. Huge hit, huge! It’s peanutty so I can’t send them to school with the kids but I shared the pan with work. They are just the right combination of peanuts, chocolate and pretzels. Will be making them again. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Tricia! I am so glad you loved this recipe! xTieghan
I forgot to buy pretzels at the store but this was still amazing, and so so easy to make! Thank you!
I love that! Thank you so much Beata! xTieghan
Truth is, I have never had a buckeye before. It’s not much of a West Coast recipe and I–get this–have been to absolutely NO state in the Mid-West. Like, NO STATE. Crazy right?! But anyways, these blondies look stunning, superb, absolutely decadent, and I need to try veganizing them to DIG RIGHT IN.
Do you think you could use almond butter for this recipe?
Hi Margaret! I am sure almond butter will be great! Love that idea! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
These look SO good! We make blondies all the time but never have added peanut butter! I recently made your strawberry pop tarts, so after I try the chocolate ones, i’ll make it to these. [gorgeous photography as usual! What lens is this?]
Thank you so much! I hope you love these when you get a chance to try them! Also, so glad you loved the poptarts! I have everything I use for photography linked in my shop page, and I will link it here for you as well! xTieghan
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/shop/photography/
Hey Tieghan – I’m in Cleveland ! What side of the city did you grow up in ? I am making these today to take down to my son tomorrow who is an OSU Buckeye ! I have made so many recipes from your blog and loved every single one of them – I always go first to your blog when looking for something new to make – thanks so much for such a great blog !
Hi Patricia! I grew up on the West side! That is so sweet of you to bring these down to him! I love that! Thank you so much for trying these, I hope he loves them! xTieghan
These blondies are just what Friday needs!
Right?! I totally agree! So glad you love these Laura! xTieghan
Sounds good…Would it work to mix in some crushed pretzels?
Hi Theresa! I am sure mixing in a few crushed pretzels will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!❤️These seem to fulfill both my ‘i need chocolate & peanut butter in any way I can have them’ and my ‘I want a chocolate covered pretzel ASAP’ in one simple recipe- amazing!! Quick question- can I use natural peanut butter in these? It seems that in many recipes calling for peanut butter, many have failed me when I use natural rather than a good old school 80s processed one. Just wanting to know if it is a deal breaker before I make them. Thanks so much!! Xo
Hey Gia! I would recommend a no-stir peanut butter. I use whole foods 365 brand. Just don’t use an oily peanut butter. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I’m going to make these tonight! If you don’t want the pretzel on top, would you crumble on top or mix in?
Hey Tracey, You can mix the pretzels in, but lightly crush them first. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Yum, they do look good and I do agree, here in Germany it does feel like fall, so this sounds perfect!
Yes so perfect! I hope you love these Jenny! xTieghan