Caramel Covered Pretzels

Caramel-covered pretzels are a delightful combination of sweet and salty flavors. They are perfect as a snack, dessert, or even as a homemade gift. Here’s a simple recipe to make delicious caramel-covered pretzels at home.

Ingredients

• 1 bag of pretzel rods or mini pretzels
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: melted chocolate for drizzling or dipping

Instructions

Prepare the Pretzels:

1. Line a Baking Sheet:
   • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the pretzel rods or mini pretzels in a single layer.

Make the Caramel:

1. Melt Butter:
   • In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add Brown Sugar and Corn Syrup:
   • Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup. Continue stirring until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
3. Add Condensed Milk:
   • Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Cook Caramel:
   • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the caramel reaches the soft-ball stage (about 235°F or 113°C on a candy thermometer).
5. Add Vanilla:
   • Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Coat the Pretzels:

1. Dip Pretzels:
   • Carefully dip each pretzel rod or mini pretzel into the hot caramel, using a fork or tongs to help coat it evenly. Allow any excess caramel to drip off.
2. Place on Baking Sheet:
   • Place the coated pretzels onto the prepared baking sheet. Let them cool and harden for about 30 minutes.

Optional: Add Chocolate:

1. Melt Chocolate:
   • If you want to add a chocolate coating or drizzle, melt your favorite type of chocolate (milk, dark, or white) in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
2. Dip or Drizzle:
   • Dip the caramel-coated pretzels into the melted chocolate or use a fork to drizzle the chocolate over them. Return to the baking sheet to set.

Tips

• Caramel Handling: Be very careful when working with hot caramel, as it can cause severe burns.
• Cooling: Let the caramel-covered pretzels cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container for storage.
• Storing: Store in a cool, dry place. If your kitchen is warm, you might want to keep them in the refrigerator to prevent the caramel from getting too soft.
• Customization: Add sprinkles, crushed nuts, or sea salt on top of the chocolate coating for extra flavor and texture.

Enjoy your homemade caramel-covered pretzels as a sweet treat or gift them to friends and family for a delicious surprise!

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