Salt River Bars
There’s a restaurant in the East Valley here in Phoenix called Liberty Market that has become a local favorite. Operated out of an old historical building, the establishment has some delectable menu items including absolutely wonderful wood-fired pizza. However, as you can see, this post isn’t about pizza. There’s no way I could recreate wood-fired pizza at home (unless I was lucky enough to have a wood-fired oven in my backyard like Elijah Wood). Today I’m talking about a delightful little confection served at Liberty Market called the Salt River Bar. Why it’s called that, I do not know. What I do know is that the bar consists of layers of buttery, salty Club crackers, peanut butter, caramel, and is topped with chocolate which is sprinkled with sea salt. It’s heavenly. You can imagine my excitement when I saw the recipe start to pop up all over the internet. It’s crazy how a little local establishment’s one recipe has become accessible world-wide. Thanks, internet.
Taste: The combination of caramel, peanut butter, chocolate, and salt is out of this world.
Texture: Crispy, crunchy, smooth, creamy.
Ease: No baking involved! And only a few ingredients. Pretty much just assembly and melting.
Appearance: It’s a little curious looking but nevertheless scrumptious.
Pros: Tasty, fast, simple treat.
Cons: None, well maybe except that it isn’t exactly like the Salt River Bars at Liberty Market. Guess I’ll just have to go back again and again
Would I make this again? Yes.
Salt River Bars
Makes about 15 bars
From Bakergirl
To melt the chocolate chips, place in a microwave-safe container and microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until smooth and melted. Do not overheat.
- 45 Club crackers
- 1 cup peanut butter chips, divided
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
- Coarse sea salt
Line an 8×8 pan with tin foil, allowing the edges to hang over sides. Spray foil with nonstick spray.
Place 15 crackers in the bottom of the pan in 3 rows of five. Sprinkle 1/2 of the peanut butter chips over crackers.
In a small saucepan melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly, until bubbly and creamy caramel forms, about 4 minutes.
Pour half of the caramel over peanut butter chips and crackers. Add another layer of 15 crackers, top with peanut butter chips, then pour remaining caramel over. Top with another layer of 15 crackers then spread melted chocolate over. Sprinkle with sea salt.
I've been following your blog and had no idea that you were local! I love Liberty Market; everything there is delicious. Their burgers are amazing and their paninis are excellent, especially the italian style one. Its unfortunate to say but I have never ordered their desserts. The Bf and I usually go for dinner, but we may have to make a trip for just dessert!
Oh yum. These look and sound absolutely delicious. I'll have to try this.
And, “hello.” I just started following your feed and so many of your recipes sound gorgeous. Can't wait to try as many as I can.
Also, OpenID doesn't seem to be working on the comment form.
these look yummy!!! Gotta add to my list of recipes to try for my husband — he loves peanut butter!!!
Tessa these look amazing, I have done the saltines with caramel and chocolate, but I have not ever done this one. I have got to try this on my gang here, they will love it!
These look and sound yummy! I also make the toffee with saltines, caramel and chocolate which need to be baked for 10 minutes. Does this recipe need to be baked at all or do you just need to let it set up and than cut?
Thanks!
handleheat replied: — December 17th, 2011 @ 3:56 am
It does not need to be baked. It should set up just fine – especially if you live somewhere that's currently cold. If you'd like it to set up faster go ahead and refrigerate it.
deb replied: — January 10th, 2012 @ 8:04 pm
Thanks! I can't wait to try them!
I've never heard of these but oh man do they sound and look delish.
sounds good!
I love the combination of flavors here. Sweet and salty is the best. I never would have though to use club crackers in a dessert but it really seems to work well here!
I love that something with just a few ingredients can taste so amazing!
Love this idea!
They are delicious!!
Thanks internet indeed!
I love small little local establishments! They're…friendly…
Yummy and will have to make- probably named after the Salt River near Mesa?
handleheat replied: — December 19th, 2011 @ 4:53 am
Probably – I just don't know why! It's not like chocolate and peanuts and club crackers grow wild around that area
Could you use Kosher salt, do you think? Or would it need to be sea salt?
handleheat replied: — December 19th, 2011 @ 4:54 am
Sea salt would be best. If you don't have sea salt I would omit the salt altogether – you'll still get some saltiness from the Club crackers.
A friend and I made these yesterday and they're absolutely delicious!
These sound like the perfect sweet and salty combo! I can't wait to try them out.
I didn't think these would be very good because I don't like crackers by themselves. Let's just say I was wrong and have a new favorite dessert.
Great recipe. Since I am not a peanut butter fan, i will substitute Nutella. Can’t wait to try it!