Description
Christmas Caramel Pretzel Bites are a festive holiday treat combining crunchy mini pretzels with soft, gooey caramel and smooth melted chocolate. Finished with colorful holiday M&M’s or sprinkles, these sweet-and-salty bite-sized snacks are perfect for parties, Christmas cookie trays, or as edible gifts.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pretzel Sandwiches
- 40 mini pretzels
- 20 soft caramel candies (such as Kraft)
For the Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (or melting wafers)
- 1 tsp coconut oil or shortening (optional, for smoother chocolate)
For Topping
- Holiday M&M’s or festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange half of the mini pretzels in a single layer on the prepared sheet.
- Soften Caramel: Unwrap each caramel candy and place one on top of each pretzel on the baking sheet. Bake for 5–6 minutes, just until the caramels become soft but have not fully melted.
- Form Pretzel Sandwiches: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately press a second pretzel on top of each softened caramel to create sandwich bites. Allow them to cool slightly so caramel firms up a bit.
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. Stir in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening if desired for a silkier texture.
- Dip and Decorate: Dip each pretzel sandwich halfway into the melted chocolate, then place back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Quickly sprinkle with holiday M&M’s or festive sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
- Set Chocolate: Let the pretzel bites sit at room temperature or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes until the chocolate hardens completely.
Notes
- Swap semi-sweet chocolate for dark, white, or colored melting chocolates for flavor and appearance variety.
- Store the finished bites in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to one week.
- These bites are addictive; consider making a double batch to ensure there are plenty for your holiday gatherings.
