Chocolate Covered Caramel Pretzel Rods Food

CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL RODS

Steps:

• Prepare two large baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
• Prepare homemade caramel (or melt store-bought caramels). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Allow homemade caramel to cool for about 15 minutes before dipping.
• Dip Pretzel Rods in caramel. I use a spoon to scoop the sauce onto the pretzels and turn them as I go. Allow excess sauce to drip off and place the dipped pretzels on a parchment lined baking sheet.
• After the caramel sets and cools some of it may pool at the base of the pretzel, causing the bottom to be flat. Use your hands to mold the caramel back around the rod (or just roll the rod gently on the parchment paper to smooth it around).
• Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, on half power, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth.
• Pour the chocolate into a tall glass. Dip the caramel-coated pretzels in melted chocolate. You can use a spoon or spatula to help smooth the chocolate up and around if you need to.
• Lay the dipped pretzels on a parchment lined sheet. While the chocolate is warm, you can sprinkle on a few light weight toppings or sprinkles, if desired.
• Allow the chocolate to set up before eating or removing from parchment.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL RODS

Steps:

• Line a large sheet or pan with parchment paper.
• Combine the caramel squares and light cream in a medium microwave safe bowl.
• Microwave the mixture 2-3 minutes (in 30-second increments, stirring after every 30 seconds) until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
• Pour the caramel mixture into a tall glass measuring cup or mug. Dip each pretzel rod ⅔ of the way to cover in caramel. Place on parchment paper to cool.
• Once the caramel is set, melt the chocolate in the microwave on 40% power for 45 seconds. Stir and continue microwaving at 20-second intervals until just melted. Stir until smooth.
• Dip the caramel-coated pretzels into the melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to cool. (You may want to pour the chocolate into a tall glass measuring cup or mug.)
• Melt the chocolate melts in a small zippered bag and snip the corner off. Drizzle over chocolate. Add favorite decorations if desired.
• Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 2 ½ dozen.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PRETZEL RODS

Steps:

• Combine the butter, sugar, brown sugar, condensed milk and corn syrup in a large microwave safe bowl.
• Microwave for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
• Pour the caramel into a tall thin glass.
• Dip each pretzel rod into the caramel, covering about 2/3 of the way. Allow excess caramel to drip off.
• Place the pretzel rods on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Roll the pretzels, or use your fingers, to smooth the caramel that has pooled around the pretzels more evenly.
• Melt chocolate in the microwave at half power, stirring every 30 seconds till smooth.
• Scoop the chocolate into a tall thin glass.
• Dip the pretzels into the chocolate and place back onto the parchment paper.
• Spread sprinkles evenly over the chocolate.
• Allow chocolate to set completely.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

CARAMEL PRETZEL STICKS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and butter; bring just to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, without stirring, 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until a candy thermometer reads 245° (firm-ball stage). Keep warm. , Pour 2 cups caramel mixture into a 2-cup glass measuring cup. Quickly dip each pretzel halfway into caramel; allow excess to drip off. Place on well-buttered baking sheets; let stand until firm. (Rewarm caramel mixture and replenish as needed.), In a microwave, melt white candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip half of the caramel-dipped pretzels into the white coating; return to baking sheets. Melt milk chocolate coating; dip remaining pretzels; place on baking sheets., Drizzle white-dipped pretzels with milk chocolate coating; drizzle milk chocolate-dipped pretzels with white coating. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts. Store in airtight containers.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PRETZEL RODS

Steps:

• Place almonds in a shallow dish. In a large glass measuring cup, microwave caramels and water on high until caramels are melted, stirring every minute., Dip three-fourths of each pretzel into caramel, allowing excess to drip off. (Reheat caramel in microwave if mixture becomes too thick for dipping.) Roll in almonds. Place on waxed paper until set. , In a microwave, melt white baking chips; stir until smooth. Dip half of the caramel-coated pretzels in white baking chips, allowing excess to drip off. Add sprinkles if desired; return to waxed paper to set. Repeat with chocolate chips and remaining pretzels., Store in airtight containers or wrap in cellophane gift bags and tie with ribbon.