Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cups Recipe - little sweet treats that are perfectly festive for the holidays! Crushed pretzels create a salty and crunchy crust for the gooey caramel layer, later topped with rich chocolate.
Sweet and salty treats are always bound to be a hit around here. Add crunchy in a form of pretzels, gooey in a form of caramel and silky smooth in a form of chocolate and you have one irresistible treat to enjoy for the holidays. I combined my popular Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bites and my Easy Microwave Caramels to make these fun little cups full of sweetness and texture.
These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cups are made of three layers: pretzel crust, gooey caramel and semi-sweet chocolate. Make them in colorful cupcake liners and dress up with fancy sprinkles for a fun candy treat.
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PRETZEL CUPS?
- Start by lining mini cupcake pan with liners. Parchment paper liners work best, but if you are using pretty paper liners you may need to spray them very lightly with cooking spray (like coconut oil spray). This will prevent the caramel layer from sticking to them.
- Crush pretzels stick in a ziploc bag by rolling the rolling pin over them or place in a small food processor and pulse a few times. You do not want them to turn into dust, as that will not stick to the caramel layer. You want pieces, as in the photo below.
- Prepare the caramel layer by microwaving butter, sugars, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Pour about a tablespoon of caramel over the pretzel layer.
- Melt chocolate with vegetable oil and pour over caramel layer. Top with festive sprinkles, chopped nuts or shredded coconut. Let the cups sit for at least 1 hour to set. You can place them in a fridge to speed up the setting process, but the chocolate will gather moisture on top, so I recommend keeping them in room temperature.
HOW TO MAKE THE CARAMEL LAYER?
The caramel layer is based on my Easy Microwave Caramels recipe, except this time I used only half of the recipe. This way you will make the exact amount of caramel needed to make 24 cups. Start by melting butter in a heat-proof bowl. Next, add corn syrup, sugars and sweetened condensed milk. Stir well. Cook for 3 minutes total but stop every 45 seconds to stir the mixture.
WHAT CHOCOLATE CAN I USE FOR THE TOP LAYER?
You can use semi-sweet, milk or white chocolate chips. Simply place them in a heat-proof bowl with a teaspoon of vegetable oil and microwave for 20 seconds. Stir and cook for 15 seconds. Stir again and if needed, cook for 10 more seconds. Stir until smooth. Divide evenly among all cups.
MORE PRETZEL CANDY RECIPE:
Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bites
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CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PRETZEL CUPS RECIPE
Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cups recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed pretzel sticks
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Line mini cupcake pan with liners. Parchment paper liners work best, but if you are using pretty paper liners you may need to spray them very lightly with cooking spray (like coconut oil spray). This will prevent the caramel layer from sticking to them.
- Crush pretzels stick in a ziploc bag by rolling the rolling pin over them or place in a small food processor and pulse a few times. You do not want them to turn into dust, as that will not stick to the caramel layer. Place 1 teaspoon of crushed pretzel in each liner.
- Prepare the caramel layer: place butter in heat-proof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. It will not be fully melted. Add white and brown sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Stir well. Cook for 3 minutes total but stop every 45 seconds to stir the mixture. Pour 2 to 3 teaspoons of caramel over the pretzel layer.
- In another heat-proof bowl, place chocolate chips with vegetable oil and microwave for 20 seconds. Stir and cook for 15 seconds. Stir again and if needed, cook for 10 more seconds. Stir until smooth. Divide evenly among all cups. Top with festive sprinkles, chopped nuts or shredded coconut.
- Let the cups sit for at least 1 hour to set.
Jessica says
I'm a sucker for anything with chocolate and caramel!
Dee says
This is the perfect flavor combo! I'm definitely making these tomorrow!
Melanie Bauer says
Looks so festive and fabulous! I'm seriously drooling over this goodness, need to make this!
Brandy O'Neill says
My kind of treat! Have to make this!
Dorothy says
I've been looking for a new treat to take to a holiday party. I found it! These look delish!
Jen says
Sweet and salty perfection! My kids are going to love these!
Sabrina says
You packed so much delicious flavor into one little treat! Brilliant!
Mallory Lanz says
I Love the pretzel in here. The salty sweet combination is great! Thanks for the recipe!
Lauren says
I LOVE SWEET AND SALTY TREATS LIKE THIS! I'M GOING TO THE STORE TO MAKE THESE TOMORROW!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yay! I hope you love them, Lauren!
Jessica says
These are amazing! Thanks for sharing!!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
You are very welcome, Jessica!
Lori says
These are the best- so cute!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Lori!