Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods

These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods make a great gift or party treat if you’re able to stop yourself from eating them all first. This delicious treat combines crispy crunchy pretzel rods, creamy salted caramel, and smooth dark chocolate to create the perfect bite.

Is there anything better than salty and sweet together? The only thing that can make dark chocolate and pretzels more delicious is the addition of salted caramel. These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods are my take on one of my favourite treats from a local coffee shop. There’s nothing like having a little something sweet with your afternoon coffee, and these are the perfect thing.

These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods make a great gift or party treat if you’re able to stop yourself from eating them all first. This delicious treat combines crispy crunchy pretzel rods, creamy salted caramel, and smooth dark chocolate to create the perfect bite. They are incredibly simple to prepare and absolutely addictive. I’m certain that once you start making your own, you’ll never go back to the store bought version.

TOTAL TIME

• Preparation Time – 10 minutes
• Cooking Time – 15 minutes, plus at least 2 hours to chill
• Total Time – 2 hours and 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS FOR CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PRETZEL RODS

All the ingredients for this delicious treat are easy to source from any local grocer.

• 1/2 cup Heavy cream
• 1 cup White sugar
• 1/2 tsp Fleur de sel
• 300 g Dark Chocolate (78% cocoa)
• 50 g White Chocolate
• 12 Pretzel Rods

WHAT IS FLEUR DE SEL?

Fleur de Sel (flower of salt) is essentially sea salt. However, unlike coarse or fine sea salt, it has a flaked texture as a result of crystallization on the surface of the sea water as it evaporates. It is harvested by hand, and is an ideal finishing salt because it’s light texture adds a slight taste of salt without being excessively heavy.

WHAT IS A PRETZEL ROD?

A pretzel rod is a thick long pretzel stick. Although you can snack on these , they are best used for dipping and decorating. Because they are so substantial, they hold up well when coated in caramel and chocolate.

WHAT IS WHITE CHOCOLATE?

White chocolate is not actually chocolate as it doesn’t contain cocoa solids. White chocolate is made from cocoa butter, sugar, milk, and sometimes vanilla. It is much sweeter than regular chocolate, and is often an acquired taste. I like it in small portions, and find it offsets dark chocolate nicely.

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS

CAN I USE MILK CHOCOLATE INSTEAD OF DARK?

Milk chocolate can definitely be substituted for dark in this recipe if you wish. However, keep in mind that caramel is very sweet and you might end up with an overly sweet treat. Regardless of what cocoa percentage you use, make sure to purchase a good quality chocolate: after all, what’s the point in making a dessert that’s sub par?

CAN I USE REGULAR PRETZELS?

I use pretzel rods in this recipe because they are substantial and hold up to the chocolate and caramel well. A regular pretzel is thinner, and might break under the weight of the toppings. If you are unable to find pretzel rods, I would suggest using a thicker pretzel.

CAN I USE A LIGHTER CREAM?

You could theoretically substitute a lighter cream in place of the heavy cream in this recipe. However, a lower milk fat percentage will result in a thinner cream which in turn will make a runnier caramel, and the resulting bark may not be as solid as you would like.

EQUIPMENT FOR CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PRETZEL RODS

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Below is a list of the main equipment/kitchen tools needed to make Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods:

• Heavy bottomed pan

• Spatula – I always use my Le Creuset spatula when making caramel. It allows me to easily scrape down the sides of the pan and ensure that there is no sugar left unmelted. It easily stands up to high heat without issue, and as an added bonus the silicone head is removable and can be tossed in the dishwasher!

• Baking tray

• Parchment Paper – I highly recommend lining your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the pretzel rods don’t stick. Paper Chef is my favourite brand, and comes in a large format roll that is easy to cut to any size.

• Heat Proof Bowl

• Small Pot

COOKING DIRECTIONS

There is nothing more delicious than the combination of salty and sweet. This recipe will satisfy all your cravings as long as you follow three important rules:

1. Keep a close eye on the sugar as it burns very easily if it is not constantly mixed.
2. Let your caramel cool slightly before dipping the pretzel rods.
3. Allow the caramel time to harden slightly before pouring the chocolate over it and chilling it.

MAKE AHEAD STORAGE

This recipe cannot be prepared in advance.

These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods can keep up to two weeks in the fridge.

FINISHED DISH

Enjoy these Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods!

OTHER CHOCOLATE DISHES

Dipped Chocolate Almond Biscotti

Chocolate Cantuccini (Biscotti) with Maple Pecans

Dark Chocolate Cashew Butter Cups

Chewy Chocolate Macaroons

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

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