Christmas Pretzel Rods with Caramel
These Christmas Pretzel rods with chocolate and caramel are a delicious and festive addition to any holiday dessert table. They bring together the perfect balance of flavors, combining the salty crunch of pretzels with the rich sweetness of chocolate and caramel.
Equipment
- 2 Microwave-safe bowls
- 1 Rubber spatula
- 2 Pastry bags or tablespoon
- 2 sheet pan or platter
- 2 Parchment paper or silicone mat or wax paper
- 2 Narrow drinking glasses for dipping pretzels in caramel and almond bark
Ingredients
- 1 pound Almond bark use white bark
- 10 ounces Soft caramels Such as Werther's
- 1 Tablespoon Water to help melt caramels
- 1 teaspoon Coconut oil or vegetable oil (optional)
- 24 medium Pretzel rods approximately 5" long
- Red and green powdered food coloring or use colored candy melts or royal icing for drizzling pretzels
Instructions
Caramel dip
- Unwrap the caramel squares and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to help the caramels melt smoothly. Microwave 50% power for 20-second intervals. Stir well after each interval to make sure the caramels melt evenly. Repeat until the caramels are completely melted and smooth.
- Dip two-thirds of each pretzel rod into the melted caramel. Gently shake off excess caramel.
- Place dipped pretzels on a sheet pan or platter. Set aside until caramel sets and is just tacky to the touch (approximately 30 minutes).
Almond bark dip
- To melt almond bark, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, you'll place the almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave at 50% power for 20-second intervals, stirring well each time until it's completely melted. Once melted, pour the almond bark into a narrow drinking glass.
- Dip two-thirds of each pretzel rod into the melted almond bark. Gently shake off excess.
- Place dipped pretzels on a sheet pan or platter. Set aside until almond bark is set (approximately 15 minutes).
Decorating
- For this step use red and green powdered food coloring. Do not use water-based food coloring - it will cause the almond bark to seize up and you won't be able to pipe it.
- Note: alternatively you may also use colored candy wafers or royal icing to drizzle the pretzels.
- Color ⅓ cup of melted almond bark red and ⅓ cup of almond bark green. Transfer colored almond bark to piping bags.
- Cut a tiny hole in each piping bag. Drizzle red and green over each pretzel. Add sprinkles or other decorations while the drizzle is still wet.
- Set pretzels aside for 20 minutes or until dry. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Storage: Place fully set pretzels in an airtight container - if stacking the pretzels, use parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources. If your room is warm, place the container of pretzels in your refrigerator.
- Be cautious when melting almond bark and caramel, as they can both scorch easily if overheated or heated too quickly. To ensure the best results, follow the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging closely. Using low and steady heat, whether in a microwave or on the stovetop, will help prevent burning and keep the texture smooth and ideal for dipping.
Nutrition
Calories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 0.1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 19mgPotassium: 2mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 4gVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 0.3mgIron: 0.05mg
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