Gourmet Pretzel Rods – Pretzel +Caramel + Chocolate = Heaven
I have been holding out on you and I’m sorry.
This recipe should have been one of the very first I ever shared. It was my very most favorite class to teach when I taught classes years ago with Cake ‘n Crumbs because it was easy, everyone loved them, and I had great sales to go along with it.
But, now that I’m not teaching classes anymore, I don’t make them nearly enough. Once you have one, you will want more. There have been many years at Christmas that this is what we make for teachers gifts and they never once complained. Who would? You take a pretzel, cover it in caramel, then chocolate, and then sprinkle on some crushed up candy bars. Oh my!
Now last week I did teach my daughter’s Foods and Nutrition class at school how to make these and I’ll blog all about that experience hopefully next week – it was such a positive one.
So let’s get started!
First, melt your caramel. For full instructions on how to melt your caramel and what to put in it, see my post here. It’s one of the most visited posts on my site. Once the caramel is melted, lightly spoon it on over the top of the pretzel and place on a non-stick mat or parchment paper. DO NOT use wax paper for this step. The caramel may be too hot and melt into the wax paper and then you have a mess.
Once you’ve done about 25 – 30 pretzels, the first ones should be set up enough to start the chocolate dipping process.
To lift pretzel off the mat, use an offset spatula to help loosen up the caramel and pretzel. If you pull the end of the pretzel rod straight up, you have a very good chance of breaking your pretzel in half.
Melt your candy coating and spoon it on top of the caramel covered pretzel.
Put back onto your non-stick mat, sprinkle on some crushed up candy bars, cookies, nuts, or accents while the chocolate is still wet. Let set for 10 – 15 minutes and they are ready to eat!
See, I told you it was easy but a little more time consuming than some desserts. You won’t be disappointed if you try these – I promise!
Print RecipeGourmet Pretzel Rods
This recipe should make up to 30 pretzel rods but it will depend on the amount of caramel and chocolate you apply to them. Many times the pretzel rods will be broken in the bag. Go ahead and use them. Dip the broken end into the caramel so you have a smooth end to hold onto. Many people prefer a smaller portion and half a pretzel rod is the perfect amount to just get a taste.
Yield: 25 - 30 pretzel rods
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
25 - 30 pretzel rods
11 ounce bag of Kraft Caramel Bits
3 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream
1 pound of milk chocolate candy coating
Variety of crushed up candy bars, toffee bits, nuts, cookies, or accents
Directions:
1. Melt caramel and heavy whipping cream, stir until smooth.
2. Gently spoon caramel over each pretzel rod. Let set on non-stick mat.
3. Once caramel has set, spoon melted candy coating over entire pretzel.
4. Top with accents immediately.
5. Let set for 10 – 15 minutes.
6. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Wife, mom, business owner, volunteer, lover of chocolate, procrastinator of cleaning, experiencing life in my 40’s and not putting off to tomorrow what I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I stop lookin’ and get cookin’ in all areas of life.
