Spicy Ranch Pretzel Chaos Cake (Printable Version)

Crunchy pretzels meet tangy ranch and savory spice in a bold, shareable snack cake for any festive occasion.

# Components:

→ Dry Mix

01 - 3 cups salted pretzels, roughly crushed
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
04 - 1 ounce ranch seasoning mix
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

→ Wet Mix

09 - 3 large eggs
10 - 1 cup buttermilk
11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
12 - 2 tablespoons hot sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

→ Topping

14 - 1/2 cup mini pretzels
15 - 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños
16 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

# Method Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mix crushed salted pretzels, all-purpose flour, cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, baking powder, and baking soda until evenly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, melted unsalted butter, hot sauce, and Dijon mustard until fully blended.
04 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold gently until just incorporated without overmixing.
05 - Transfer batter to the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface. Evenly scatter mini pretzels, chopped pickled jalapeños, and grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
06 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the top is golden brown.
07 - Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Move to wire rack, slice, and serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Packed with bold ranch and spicy flavors
  • Easy to make with simple ingredients
02 -
  • Contains wheat, milk, eggs and may contain soy and mustard from pretzels.
  • A great pairing with cold beer or a tangy ranch dipping sauce.
03 -
  • Use pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
  • Substitute plain yogurt for buttermilk in a pinch.
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