Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookie Bars

As soon as I saw this recipe, I knew I would love it. Combining the salty crunch of pretzels with the sweet, chocolatey bliss of a chocolate chip cookie?? Brilliant. I had high expectations for this recipe, and I'm happy to tell you it did not disappoint! I made these for our Super Bowl party, and they were a huge hit. Now I'm just waiting until our next gathering so I have an excuse to make them again. I hope you enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookie Bars

Recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Yield: One 9 x 13 pan or about 32 squares

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

12 oz bag semisweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups pretzels, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup chocolate chips, for drizzling

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan. 

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. 

3. With a stand or hand mixer, beat the butter and sugars together at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Keeping the mixer on low speed or "stir" mode, beat in dry ingredients until just incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips and pretzel pieces with a spatula.

4. Pour the batter in the pan and press it down with a spatula. Batter will be very thick. Bake for 30 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and middle is just set. 

5. If desired, melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips in sandwich size baggie in the microwave. Cut a small corner in the bag then drizzle over top of the bars. Cool completely before slicing.