Buttery Pretzel Chocolate Cake starts with a chocolate cake mix, combined with simple ingredients, and then is topped with chocolate chips, crushed buttery pretzels, and a caramel drizzle. Serve it with a side or topping of ice cream.

Why I love this recipe

It is soft and moist, has a lovely salty pretzel crunch on top, and takes just 9 ingredients and 6 easy steps.

Buttery Pretzel Chocolate Cake in a 9x13 dish. — Buttery Pretzel Chocolate Cake

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Substitutions

Instead of crushed pretzels, omit the butter and add chopped pecans, peanuts, or walnuts.

Equipment used for this recipe

How to make Buttery Pretzel Chocolate Cake

For the cake:

Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2 – In a large bowl, add applesauce, 4 tablespoons of melted butter, milk, and eggs, and mix until smooth.

applesauce, 4 tablespoons of melted butter, milk, and eggs whisked in a bowl.

Step 3 – Add cake mix and mix until just combined. Do not to over-mix.

cake mix, applesauce, 4 tablespoons of melted butter, milk, and eggs

Step 4 – Spray the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray and pour the cake batter into it.

cake batter spread into a 9x13 cake pan.

For the topping:

Step 1 – In a separate bowl, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter, then stir in the crushed pretzels until they are well coated.

Step 2 – Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the cake batter, followed by the pretzel bits, and then drizzle the caramel over the top.

cake batter spread into a 9x13 cake pan and topped with crushed buttery pretzels, chocolate chips, and caramel sauce.

Step 3 – Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes.

Pro Tips

Store leftovers in an air-tight container.

This cake is best eaten in the first day or two. The pretzels will soften a little more each day.

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Buttery Pretzel Chocolate Cake

Zona House

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Cool 15

Total Time 1 5

Course Sweet Treats

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 429 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 ¼ cups applesauce
4 Tablespoons melted butter
⅓ cup whole milk
3 large eggs
1 box chocolate cake mix

For the topping:

2 Tablespoons butter
1 cup crushed pretzels
10 ounces dark chocolate chips
1 cup Caramel sauce

Instructions

For the cake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, add applesauce, 4 tablespoons of melted butter, milk, and eggs, and mix until smooth.
Add cake mix and mix until just combined. Do not to over-mix.
Spray the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray and pour the cake batter into it.

For the topping:

In a bowl, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter, then stir in the crushed pretzels until they are well coated.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the cake batter, followed by the broken pretzel pieces, and then drizzle the caramel over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes.

Notes

This cake is best eaten in the first day or two. The pretzels will soften a little more each day.
Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 429kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 7gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 533mgPotassium: 341mgFiber: 2gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 273IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 154mgIron: 2mg

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Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I love creating recipes for easy dinners or desserts.