Caramel Toffee Pretzels Recipe
Introduction
Caramel Pretzels, also known as Butter Toffee Pretzels, offer a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with a satisfyingly crunchy texture. This easy-to-make treat is ideal for snacking or gifting during the holidays.
Ingredients
- 4 cups miniature pretzels
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a cooling rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Step 2: In a medium heavy saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, water, and salt over medium-low heat, stirring often with a wooden spoon.
- Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 305°F. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Quickly pour the hot toffee mixture over the pretzels and stir to coat evenly. Using a toothpick or fork, transfer the pretzels a few at a time to the prepared cooling rack, laying them side-by-side without touching.
- Step 5: Bake the pretzels at 200°F for 20–30 minutes to dry them out and prevent stickiness. Once done, transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Step 6: After cooling, leave the pretzels uncovered on the counter overnight to set fully. Then store them in an airtight container.
Tips & Variations
- Use a candy thermometer for accurate toffee temperature to avoid burning or undercooking.
- Try adding chopped nuts or a sprinkle of sea salt on top for extra flavor and texture.
- Substitute coarse salt with smoked salt to add a smoky twist to the flavor.
Storage
Store caramel pretzels in an airtight jar or bowl at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to 3 weeks. If the pretzels soften, re-crisp them in a low oven for a few minutes before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular-sized pretzels instead of mini pretzels?
Yes, regular-sized pretzels can be used, but you may need to adjust the coating time and spacing on the rack due to their larger size.
Why do I need to bake the pretzels after coating them?
Baking dries out the caramel coating to prevent stickiness and helps the toffee set properly, resulting in a crisp and crunchy texture.
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Caramel Toffee Pretzels Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus overnight drying
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups of caramel pretzels 1x
Description
Delicious homemade caramel pretzels coated in rich butter toffee, providing a perfect sweet and salty snack that combines crunchy pretzels with a smooth caramel coating. These buttery toffee pretzels are baked in the oven to achieve a non-sticky, crispy finish and make a great treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 cups miniature pretzels
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Cooling Rack: Preheat your oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a cooling rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
- Melt Ingredients for Toffee: In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, water, and coarse salt. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to melt and blend the ingredients uniformly.
- Boil to Hard Crack Stage: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while maintaining medium-low heat. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. When the mixture reaches 305°F (hard crack stage), remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract quickly and thoroughly.
- Coat Pretzels with Toffee: Pour the miniature pretzels into the hot toffee mixture and stir quickly to coat all pretzels evenly. Using a toothpick or fork, transfer coated pretzels in small batches onto the prepared cooling rack placed over the baking sheet. Arrange pretzels side-by-side but avoid touching to prevent clumping.
- Bake to Set Coating: Place the baking sheet with the coated pretzels in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes to dry out the toffee coating, ensuring the pretzels are no longer sticky and will have a crispy finish.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pretzels from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the cooling rack at room temperature. Once cooled, leave them uncovered overnight on the counter to further harden and dry out.
- Store Properly: Store the caramel pretzels in an airtight container or jar to maintain freshness. They will keep well for up to 3 weeks.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer to ensure you reach the correct temperature for proper toffee hardness.
- Spraying the cooling rack helps prevent the pretzels from sticking once coated.
- The overnight drying time is important for achieving the ideal crunchy, non-sticky texture.
- Store pretzels in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crunchy for up to 3 weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel pretzels, butter toffee pretzels, homemade snack, sweet and salty snack, buttery toffee, crunchy pretzels
