Are you a sweet-sweet person or a salty-sweet person? Growing up, I was a sweet-sweet person. I didn’t want any of those peanuts or pretzels mingling in the party with my chocolate chips or M and M’s, no siree. My mom on the other hand, has always been a huge fan of mixing together a sweet salty mix. I have childhoof memories of her grabbing a small bowl from the kitchen cabinets and pouring in equal parts chocolate and peanuts, blending the perfect balance of sweet and salty dessert combination. It was only until later in my 20’s that I also started appreciating the perfect mix of salty peanuts and sweet chocolate chips. Plus, there’s no added sugar and the dates give the peanut butter layer a caramel flavor, seriously, this is one of my favorite desserts to date.
I can’t even tell you how long it’s taken to finally get around to doing this recipe justice. My recipe idea list always seems to include some variation on the super awesome/classic chocolate and peanut butter combination. Mostly because I always have both of those ingredients on hand and also because, chocolate and peanut butter usually create no-fail dessert recipes, each and every time. The first time I tried to make this recipe I baked the bottom peanut butter layer and came out with a more of a crumbly, cookie situation, which wasn’t what I was really going for. The second time I tried the recipe, the cookie part was flat and just kind of sad, also, not what I was going for (who wants a sad bar cookie?). I decided to scrap the whole baked cookie layer and go for more of a freezer fudge, streamlining the process a bit. In the end, easy and no-bake won out over trying to make a cookie layer, layering on a chocolate layer, and then waiting for them to firm up in the freezer. This is best prepared the night before and setting it out for a few minutes before cutting and serving.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Fudge (No Bake, Vegan)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- For the peanut butter layer:
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 6–8 dates (soaked in warm water and drained if they are dried out)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- For the chocolate layer:
- 1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1–2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cup pretzels (crushed)
Instructions
- Lightly grease an 8×8 square pan and set aside.
- In a high-powered blender or food processor, pulse together the peanut butter, dates, vanilla extract and almond milk until smooth. You may need to add more almond milk to keep the mixture going. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan and place in the freezer while you prepare the chocolate layer.
- In a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Melt in the microwave for 1 minute, until chocolate can be stirred until smooth. Remove the pan from the freezer and spread the chocolate layer on top. Sprinkle with the crushed pretzels. Let set in the freezer for at least 3-4 hours, or until firm.
Lindsey | Mabel & the Wooden Spoon says
Lady, these look AMAZING. I’ve been craving salty sweet like nobody’s business. This weekend, you’ll find me on the couch with a pan of these 😉
The Frosted Vegan says
Thanks love! 🙂
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
As a kid I was 100% a sweet sweet person. But as I got older, I began to love saltiness in sweets! I’m working on my own chocolate/pretzel recipe right now, but I just want to scrap it and go make yours because it looks so good!
The Frosted Vegan says
Ohh girl I want to make that popcorn you just posted too, SWOON!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
The only thing I was growing up was a HUGE pain in the a**. I wasn’t a sweet-sweet or a sweet-salty because no two foods could touch each other. That would result in a tantrum. Luckily, I’ve come a long way! Ha ha ha! Love the salty-sweet combo here. YUM!
The Frosted Vegan says
Haha Liz! I used to be weird about foods touching too, it must be a teenage thing 🙂
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T says
The perfect sweet and salty snack! Thanks for sharing!
The Frosted Vegan says
Of course! Thanks for stopping by!
Sara @ Cake Over Steak says
YYUUUUUUMMMMMMM. That’s all I have to say.
The Frosted Vegan says
That’s pretty much all you have to say, right?! 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I love sweet and salty, and this sounds amazing because I love even more when that salty involves peanut butter!
The Frosted Vegan says
Agreed!!
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says
As a kid I was a sweet-sweet person too. Now I am actually more of a crunchy-salty snack person or a sweet-salty. I love how you turn it into a fudge instead of a cookie. I am drooling over the combination of sweet-salty-and fudgy.
The Frosted Vegan says
Thanks Amanda! I feel the same way, I used to just want all sweets, all the time, but now I need some salt in there too!
Our Fresh Kitchen says
This looks incredibly delicious. What can go wrong with chocolate & pretzels?
The Frosted Vegan says
Nothing at all, right?!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Yum to the max! Love this recipe and I’m beyond obsessed with the pictures. Pinned!
The Frosted Vegan says
Thank you Medha! xoxo
GiGi Eats says
THIS LOOKS LIKE ONE HUGE BINGE for me! LOL! If those were in my house, MAN I WOULD GO CRAZYYYY!!! Peanut Butter + Chocolate… Plus a little salt from the pretzels, OH BABY!
★★★★★
The Frosted Vegan says
That’s EXACTLY how I feel!
Kathryn says
So good! I’m such a big fan of the sweet-salty combination (particularly when it involves peanut butter) and this fudge sounds like the perfect treat.
The Frosted Vegan says
It is so perfect! I took it to work today so I wouldn’t eat it all myself 🙂
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
I”m 1005 a salty-sweet person. This fudge looks amazing!
The Frosted Vegan says
I totally am now too Lauren! Thank you 🙂
amymak says
This looks very tasty. I’m a mom and runner and always looking for good sweets that are a little more healthy. Thanks for this!
Jocelyn @ Peace Love Nutrition says
Yum! There’s nothing better than sweet and salty
★★★★★
mymansbelly says
This looks like something that wouldn’t last the afternoon at my house. 🙂
Lisi says
These look amazing !do you keep them in the freezer ?and take them out just before serving ?thanks !!
The Frosted Vegan says
Yes! You can let them thaw for a few minutes and they are ready to serve!
Lisi says
Thanks so much !made them today with my kids..they look delicious they are in freezer now !mine came out a much lighter colour and don’t look as fudgy..any reason for that that you could suggest ?thanks so much !
The Frosted Vegan says
Hi Lisi! I’m not sure about that one, it might depend on the dates you are using or how powerful your blender is! Let me know how you like them!