These chocolate covered pretzel rods are swirled with a thick rope of caramel, dipped in milk chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate. They're the perfect holiday gift idea or snack that everyone loves!
Chocolate covered pretzel rods have become a tradition that we make as a family every year around the Holidays to gift to friends and neighbors. They're easy to make a huge batch of, and are perfect for wrapping up and taking to someone.
If you love chocolate and caramel together you should also try my chocolate roll cookies, my slutty cheesecake bars, or my oatmeal toffee carmelita bars.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- CARAMEL: I swear by the block of Peter's caramel that can be purchased from some specialty stores like Orson Gygi, and can also be found on Amazon. It is a large block, but can be used for so many things.
- CHOCOLATE: Trader Joes pound plus milk chocolate bar is my favorite for these.
- PRETZELS: Short and long pretzel rods will work great. They make gluten free ones as well if needed.
- WHITE CHOCOLATE: Guittard and Ghirardelli are my favorite brands of white chocolate to buy from the store.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
STEP ONE: Take about ½ an ounce of caramel in your hand and roll to make it like a rope. Wrap the caramel down the pretzel rod, securing both ends, and leaving about 3 inches on the bottom to be able to hold the pretzel. Wrap all pretzels in caramel before melting chocolate.
STEP TWO: Chop up chocolate bar into small pieces so its easier to melt. Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 45 seconds, stir and then continue in 15 second intervals until all melted. You do not want to over cook the chocolate or it will turn tough.
STEP THREE: Pour chocolate into a cup that is at least as tall at the pretzel rods. Dip each pretzel into the cup, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. Set each pretzel back onto the parchment paper to set up.
STEP FOUR: Melt white chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until melted. Drizzle white chocolate onto pretzels. Allow them to sit and firm up completely before eating.
FAQ
If you over cook your chocolate and it starts to seize or turn lumpy, just place about 1 teaspoon of oil into it and stir. This will help it smooth out and bring back some moisture.
I have found that because chocolate chips don't melt the same as a chocolate bar, they do not turn out as smooth and glossy. You can do it if necessary, but they probably won't look the same.
STORING
These chocolate covered pretzel rods will keep fresh for about a week if stored in an airtight container or bag. I like to make sure my chocolate is completely firm before storing so the chocolate doesn't become messy.
OTHER HOLIDAY TREATS TO TRY
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cranberry Sour Cream Bundt Cake
For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment below if you make them and love them as much as I do.
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Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
Ingredients
- 11 ounces peter's caramel or other soft block of moldable caramel
- 22 pretzel rods
- 16 ounces milk chocolate I used one lb plus bar from trader joes
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips for drizzling on top
Instructions
- Take a cookie sheet and turn it over so there is a ledge, and place a piece of parchment paper on it.
- Take about ½ an ounce of caramel in your hand and roll to make it like a rope. Wrap the caramel down the pretzel rod, securing both ends, and leaving about 3 inches on the bottom to be able to hold the pretzel. Wrap all pretzels in caramel before melting chocolate.
- Chop up chocolate bar into small pieces so its easier to melt. Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 45 seconds, stir and then continue in 15 second intervals until all melted. You do not want to over cook the chocolate or it will seize and turn tough.
- Pour chocolate into a cup that is at least as tall at the pretzel rods. Dip each pretzel into the cup, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. Set each pretzel back onto the parchment paper to set up.
- Melt white chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until melted. Drizzle white chocolate onto pretzels. Allow them to sit and firm up completely before eating.
Debbie
Hi there!!
I’m wondering how the chocolate holds up as far as smudging, etc. Does it dry hard enough without adding a bit of oil (like crisco)? Thank you!
brooke
Hi! Once the chocolate had solidified it holds up perfectly without smudging. I've never needed to add any oil to it, but you could add a teaspoon if you wanted.