Pretzel Crusted Brownies

These brownies were the bomb! I am a big chocolate lover anyhow so brownies are a hit most of the time and then you go and add the salty layer of the pretzels and that just upped them a notch! I didn't go all out with the buttercream frosting, sometimes I feel like that just goes too far and gets to be a little too much, but I did pair it with some ice cream and chocolate syrup... YUMM!!



Pretzel Crusted Brownies
(recipe found on pinterest via www.alliescleanplateclub.com)

Crust:
4 cups pretzels
1 1/2 cups butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar

Brownie:
use your favorite brownie recipe or box mix (I used this new homemade brownie mix recipe that I love!!)

Buttercream Layer:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk

Preheat oven to 400. Line 9x13 pan with foil, allowing some to overhang the edges for easier removal. Spray with cooking spray. Process pretzels in a food processor (or use a ziplock with a rolling pin to crush) until pretzels are small pieces but not a fine powder. Mix pretzels with butter and sugar until combined. Press into baking pan and bake for 10 minutes or until crust is set. Allow to cool. Set oven temperature to 350. Mix up your brownie mix and pour over the top of the cooled pretzel crust, spread evenly over top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking for doneness as you go. Allow to cool once again while making up the buttercream frosting layer. Beat butter with mixer until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until combined. Mix in vanilla and milk, adding more milk if needed to form the right consistency. Frost cooled brownies and serve!