Description
These Caramel Chocolate Pretzel Rods combine salty crunch with sweet, creamy caramel and rich chocolate, making a perfect homemade treat for gifting or indulging. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients, these rods offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzels
- 14 thick pretzel rods
Caramel Coating
- 40 soft caramels (e.g., Werther’s Original)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Chocolate Coating
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate melting wafers
Toppings
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. This prevents the caramel and chocolate from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Melt the caramel: Unwrap all 40 soft caramels and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to the caramels. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between intervals until the caramel is fully melted and smooth without any lumps.
- Dip pretzels in caramel: Holding a pretzel rod, dip it into the melted caramel, covering most of the rod but leaving a few inches at the top uncovered for easy handling. Allow the excess caramel to drip off before placing the coated pretzel on the prepared baking sheet.
- Set caramel coating: Let the caramel-coated pretzels set for about 15-20 minutes. For a firmer set, place the baking sheet into the refrigerator until the caramel hardens.
- Melt the chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the 12 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate wafers in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, melt the chocolate using a double boiler on the stovetop, stirring until fully melted and silky.
- Dip caramel-coated pretzels in chocolate: Once the caramel has set, dip each caramel-coated pretzel rod into the melted chocolate, fully covering the caramel layer. Gently shake off any excess chocolate to avoid drips.
- Apply toppings: Immediately after dipping, while the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle the pretzel rods with flaky sea salt or other desired toppings such as crushed nuts or sprinkles for added texture and flavor.
- Set chocolate coating: Let the chocolate fully set at room temperature, or speed up the process by placing the pretzel rods in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes until firm.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the chocolate is firm, your caramel chocolate pretzel rods are ready to eat or package for gifting.
Notes
- These pretzel rods make a great sweet and salty snack or a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Chilling the caramel-coated pretzels before dipping in chocolate helps the layers remain distinct and reduces melting.
- You can customize toppings by using crushed nuts, sprinkles, or even drizzles of white chocolate instead of sea salt.
- Store the finished rods in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge to maintain freshness and crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel rod
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
