Description
These Christmas Caramel Pretzel Bites are a festive and easy-to-make holiday treat featuring soft caramel nestled between mini pretzels, drizzled with colorful red, green, and white candy melts, then topped with holiday sprinkles for a delightful sweet and salty bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 48 mini pretzel twists
- 12 soft caramels, unwrapped and cut in half
Candy Melts
- 1 cup red Candy Melts
- 1 cup green Candy Melts
- 1 cup white Candy Melts
Other
- 1-2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Arrange pretzels and add caramel: Place half of the mini pretzel twists on the baking sheet in a single layer. Top each pretzel with one half of a soft caramel, placing it right in the center.
- Bake caramels: Bake the pretzels and caramel for 5 minutes or until the caramels have softened but not fully melted.
- Top with pretzels: Remove from the oven and immediately press a remaining pretzel on top of each softened caramel, sandwiching the caramel between two pretzels. Leave them on the baking sheet to cool completely.
- Melt red candy melts: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the red candy melts with 1 teaspoon of vegetable shortening. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring thoroughly between each, until smooth. Add more shortening a teaspoon at a time if needed for a smooth consistency.
- Drizzle red candy melts: Transfer the melted red candy to a piping bag or a plastic baggie with the corner clipped off, then drizzle over each pretzel bite.
- Melt and drizzle green candy melts: Repeat the melting process with the green candy melts and 1 teaspoon shortening, then drizzle over the pretzel bites.
- Melt and drizzle white candy melts: Repeat the melting and drizzling process using the white candy melts and shortening, then immediately top with holiday sprinkles while the coating is still wet.
- Set and store: Allow the candy melts to set completely at room temperature before storing in an airtight container for up to one week or refrigerate for longer storage.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, keep the pretzel bites refrigerated; allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
- If candy melts are too thick, add vegetable shortening a teaspoon at a time to thin the consistency.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Be sure to press the pretzels together quickly after baking to ensure the caramel solidifies as a glue.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
