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Caramel Chocolate Pretzel Rods

Caramel Chocolate Pretzel Rods are the ultimate sweet-and-salty Christmas snack, made by dipping crunchy pretzel rods into buttery homemade caramel and smooth melted chocolate before topping them with festive sprinkles. These holiday treats are surprisingly easy to make, beautifully decorative, and perfect for gifting, party platters, cookie exchanges, or quick Christmas dessert prep. Their irresistible combination of crunchy, chewy, sweet, and salty flavors makes them a holiday favorite for both kids and adults, and their customizable toppings make them as fun to create as they are delicious to eat.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Chilling Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 15

Ingredients

Caramel Coat

  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Base

  • 15 pretzel rods

Chocolate Coating

  • 8 oz melting chocolate
  • Decorations
  • Christmas sprinkles or festive toppings

Instructions

  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Place corn syrup in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until it begins to bubble.
  • Add sugar and stir until fully combined.
  • Allow the mixture to cook without stirring until it turns golden.
  • Remove from heat, add butter, and stir until smooth.
  • Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to blend.
  • Transfer the caramel to a tall heatproof cup for dipping.
  • Dip each pretzel rod into the caramel and place it on the prepared tray.
  • Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the caramel to set.
  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
  • Transfer the melted chocolate to a tall cup for dipping.
  • Dip each caramel-coated pretzel rod into the chocolate and return it to the tray.
  • Quickly add Christmas sprinkles while the chocolate is still warm.
  • Refrigerate for another 30 minutes to fully set.

Notes

ngredient Substitutions

  • Swap melting chocolate with dark, milk, or white chocolate.
  • Use store-bought soft caramels melted with cream for quicker prep.
  • Decorate with crushed peppermint, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter.

Make-Ahead Tips

  • These pretzel rods stay fresh for up to 1 week at room temperature.
  • Store them in airtight containers or individual treat bags.
  • Make caramel a day ahead and rewarm gently before dipping.

Variations

  • Drizzle with colored candy melts for a striped holiday effect.
  • Use gluten-free pretzel rods for a GF-friendly version.
  • Create themed versions (snowflakes, metallic sprinkles, winter blues).

Avoid Mistakes

  • Don't let caramel get too dark—it becomes bitter quickly.
  • Make sure caramel is fully set before dipping in chocolate.
  • Avoid adding decorations too late or they won’t stick.