Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Overhead shot of Salt River Bars stacked on a board, featuring layers of caramel, crackers, and chocolate, styled like Milk Chocolate Ritz Bars and Salt River Bar Cookies, showcasing this Salt River Bars Recipe as a twist on Ritz Bars and a simple Salteen Cracker Dessert, perfect for fans of Saltine Dessert Recipes, beautifully arranged like Chocolate Candy Bars On Tray with a hint of Sweet & Salty S'mores Bars inspiration.

Decadent Salt River Bars With Heavenly Chocolate Layer – Milk Chocolate Ritz Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Jennifer
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 30 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert

Description

Imagine a bar that hits every craving at once — a little sweet, a little salty, a whole lotta crunch, plus a creamy caramel middle and a silky chocolate top. These Salt River Bars are the kind of treat people taste once and immediately ask, “Uh… where have these been all my life?”


Ingredients

Scale
  • 90 Club crackers
  • 1 cup salted butter
  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
  • ½ cup butterscotch chips
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • Maldon sea salt, for topping


Instructions

  1. Prep your pan.
    Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure the long sides hang over so you can lift the bars out later. Lightly coat the parchment and pan sides with nonstick spray.

  2. Lay down the crackers.
    Arrange a full, even layer of Club crackers across the bottom. Trim pieces if needed so the whole surface is covered. (Five rows of six usually do the trick.)

  3. Cook the caramel base.
    In a sturdy medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, graham crumbs, and heavy cream. Set it over medium heat and stir nonstop as everything melts together.

  4. Boil the mixture.
    Once it starts bubbling, keep it at a steady boil for 7 minutes, stirring the whole time so nothing scorches.

  5. Build the first layers.
    Pour half the hot caramel over the crackers and smooth it out to the edges. Quickly add a second full layer of crackers on top before the caramel firms up.

  6. Add the rest.
    Spread the remaining caramel over that second cracker layer, then top off with a final sheet of crackers.

  7. Chill the base.
    Pop the pan into the fridge so the caramel can firm up while you prep the chocolate topping.

  8. Make the chocolate layer.
    Combine the milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30–45 seconds, stir, then continue microwaving in 15-second bursts until everything melts smooth and glossy.

  9. Finish the top.
    Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the chilled cracker stack and spread it evenly. Add a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt — a light scattering does wonders.

  10. Final chill and slice.
    Refrigerate for 1–2 hours until fully set. Use the parchment overhang to lift the whole slab out of the pan, then slice with a sharp knife. Wiping the blade between cuts keeps the squares clean and neat.



Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Bar
  • Calories: 269
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 192mg
  • Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 8.3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6.8g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3g
  • Carbohydrates: 29g
  • Fiber: 0.8g
  • Protein: 2.7g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg