A lesser known, but just as loved way to use your caramel is to cover pretzel rods in the sticky, sweet caramel. The salty and crunchy combination with the chewy buttery caramel is divine. Then add on a layer of chocolate and you’ve reached treat heaven. We sell thousands of bags of pretzel rods every year because the people just can’t get enough.
These are a fun treat to make in large quantities as thank you gifts, party favors, or christmas goodies. After dipping, they stay shelf stable for a long time, so no need to worry about them going bad on you. You can make them in November to have ready for every Christmas party coming up this season.
One pound of melted Peter’s Caramel will cover approximately 30 pretzel rods with the caramel halfway up the pretzel. If you want thicker caramel, or to have more of the pretzel rod covered, you will need additional caramel.
Ingredients:
- Peter’s Caramel
- Pretzel rods
- Dipping Chocolate – check out this post to help you choose which type of chocolate you’ll want to use. For the ones pictured here, we used the Callebaut Snaps.
- Topping ideas: toasted coconut, colorful sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles
Tools:
- Bowls for melting caramel and chocolate
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Let’s make them!
To dip the pretzel rod in caramel, you’ll start by melting the caramel. For tips on how to do this, check out this blog post.
Once the caramel is ready, pour caramel into a large, deep cup or bowl. This gives you a deep pool of caramel to dip from. Hold the caramel container in your non-dominant hand, and tip the container to the side to make the caramel as deep as possible. Holding the pretzel rod in your dominant hand, slowly lower the pretzel rod into the caramel. Then carefully pull the pretzel rod straight up and out of the caramel.
Let extra caramel drip back into the container. You can even scrape one side of the rod along the edge of the container to create a sort of flat side for the bottom of the pretzel rod. Hold the rod for 60-90 seconds to help the caramel set, this will help keep the caramel from pooling at the bottom. If your caramel starts to thicken, warm it back up to keep it nicely melted.
Set pretzel rod on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let caramel cool and set. You can speed this process up by placing pretzel rods in the fridge. Once all your rods are covered in caramel, jump down to the chocolate step!
Once all your rods are covered in caramel, you’ll want to melt your chocolate. We feel like pretzel rods are the perfect time to use compound chocolate. Check out this blog post to learn which type of chocolate you have and how to use it.
Once your chocolate is melted, pour your chocolate into a large cup or deep and narrow bowl. This will give you a deep reservoir of chocolate to dip in.
Now, holding your pretzel rod in your dominant hand and the cup of chocolate in your non-dominant hand, tip the cup toward your pretzel rod. Dip the pretzel into the chocolate, covering all the caramel, but leaving a handle on the pretzel. Now, place the cup on the counter and pull the pretzel rod straight out of the chocolate. Let the chocolate drip back into the cup, until chocolate is no longer coming off in a stream. You can gently shake the chocolate to speed up the process. The longer they drip, the cleaner your pretzel rod will look. If your chocolate starts to cool, warm it gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and resume dipping!
After dipping, place the pretzel rod on a piece of parchment paper and sprinkle with desired toppings. Now, let the chocolate cool and set up. You can move the pretzels to the fridge to expedite the cooling, reducing the amount of chocolate that will pool at the base.
Once your chocolate has cooled, you are ready to enjoy your Caramel Pretzel Rods. Or you can save them for a later day! These rods will stay fresh in a sealed container for over a month! So, make them prior to your party for an easy favor or treat. They are also a great activity to keep little hands busy during your festivities! Basically, they are good – always!
These Wrapped Pretzel Rods are also a fun option. Using the same ingredients as above, you get a fun whimsical version of the same treat. Try both and see which one you like best!
