I am loving the “sweet treats” Starbucks has come out with- little dessert treat under 200 calories. One of my favorite’s by far Starbuck’s Caramel Pretzel Square.
I tried making several recipes on the Internet that I found and none of them quite hit the right note of salty and sweet.
Soo… After a few attempts and some tweaking here is MY version of Starbucks Caramel Pretzel Square Recipe.

Tastes Like Starbucks Caramel Pretzel Square Recipe

Base:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine ( I used both and butter does taste MUCH better- also better texture)
1 tsp. REAL vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Topping
4 tablespoons milk
70-80 Kraft caramels ( or similar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup chopped nuts ( pecans or walnuts)
2 cups of crushed pretzels STICKS

Fudge
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk ( can use low fat no problem)
2 tbsp. butter
2 cups marshmallows
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 375F

Mix together is mixing bowl at medium speed the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla until thoroughly mixed.. Bleand in flour. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife.
Press the mixture into 8 inch square pan. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes.

Combine milk and caramels and cook in double boiler or use microwave ( check at 30 second intervals) . Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and remove from heat.

Remove the crust from oven. Pour the caramel mixture (reserve some caramel for top) t. Sprinkle with pecan and pretzel mixture. Bake again at 375° for 15 minutes. Let cool.

Combine sugar, evaporated milk and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring often. Boil 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate and marshmallows . Stir until combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Pour fudge mixture on top of cooled squares, then warm reserved caramel in microwave and add a pinches of salt and drizzle over the fudge layer. Take knife and gently run it through the salted caramel ribbon to make sure its swirled throughout.

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