Pretzel-Crusted Brownies Recipe

I am all about easy recipes, which probably explains how I can't get enough of Rachael Ray, Ina Garten, and Mario Batali. And this is a very easy dessert! I actually don't care for pretzels unless I'm baking with them or they are of the soft variety. I had some left over from Christmas and was thinking about what to make with them. Then, this idea hit me. I'm not saying I'm the first who had it (and whoever did was a complete genius, by the way), because who doesn't love the salty and sweet combination?! I prefer salty to sweet, so this was a perfect dessert for me. On to the good stuff!

Ingredients for Brownies:
(if taking easy route - no judging here!) 1 box of brownie mix prepared like box suggests

or

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup of flour
1/3 cup of cocoa powder
1/2 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp of baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
some Nutella or peanut butter, if you want to be really decadent

Ingredients for Pretzel Crust:
2-3 cups of crushed and broken pretzels - You may want more, this was good for a 9X9 pan
melted butter - I used a little under a cup
1/4 cup of sugar

Cooking Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Prepare brownie mix.
3. Prepare crust mix and spread out evenly on a lightly greased pan.
4. Pour and spread brownie mix on top of the crust.
5. Bake around 25 minutes (or follow your brownie mix directions). Do the toothpick test to make sure it comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool. Cut and serve. Delicious!

If you try the recipe, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. The batch didn't last long in our house!