Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cups Recipe – a festive sweet and salty candy treat made with a crunchy crushed pretzel base, a soft caramel center, and a smooth chocolate topping.
These Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cups are the kind of small dessert that disappears quickly from a holiday tray. They combine three classic textures in one bite: salty crunch from pretzels, soft and chewy caramel, and rich melted chocolate. The balance of sweet and salty makes them especially satisfying, and their mini size makes them perfect for parties, gift boxes, cookie platters, or an easy homemade candy treat.
The recipe is simple and made in layers. Crushed pretzel sticks form the bottom crust, giving each cup a salty, crisp bite. A quick microwave caramel is spooned over the pretzels while it is warm and gooey. Finally, melted semi-sweet chocolate is spread over the caramel to seal everything together. You can finish the cups with sprinkles for a holiday look, or use chopped nuts or shredded coconut if you prefer a different topping.
Mini cupcake liners make these treats easy to serve and help keep each caramel pretzel cup neat. Parchment liners work especially well because caramel is sticky, but decorative paper liners can also be used if they are lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Once the cups have set, they are easy to pick up, share, and enjoy.
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PRETZEL CUPS?
- Line a mini cupcake pan with liners. Parchment paper liners are the best choice because they release more easily. If you are using decorative paper liners, spray them very lightly with cooking spray, such as coconut oil spray, to help prevent the caramel from sticking.
- Crush the pretzel sticks in a zip-top bag by rolling over them with a rolling pin, or place them in a small food processor and pulse a few times. Do not crush them into fine crumbs. Small pieces are best because they create texture and hold up better under the caramel layer.
- Place about 1 teaspoon of crushed pretzels into each mini cupcake liner. This will become the salty, crunchy base of each candy cup.
- Make the caramel layer in the microwave using butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir the mixture often as it cooks so it stays smooth and evenly heated. Spoon the warm caramel over the pretzels.
- Melt chocolate chips with vegetable oil until smooth, then spoon the melted chocolate over the caramel layer. Add sprinkles, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut if desired. Let the cups sit for at least 1 hour so the caramel and chocolate can set.
HOW TO MAKE THE CARAMEL LAYER?
The caramel layer is made quickly in the microwave, which keeps this recipe simple and approachable. Start by placing the butter in a heat-proof bowl and microwaving it briefly. It does not need to be completely melted before you add the remaining ingredients. Add the granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and sweetened condensed milk, then stir everything well.
Microwave the caramel mixture for a total of 3 minutes, stopping every 45 seconds to stir. Stirring during the cooking process helps the sugars dissolve evenly and keeps the caramel smooth. Once cooked, stir in the vanilla extract. While the caramel is still warm and pourable, spoon 2 to 3 teaspoons over the crushed pretzel layer in each liner. Work carefully, as the caramel will be hot.
WHAT CHOCOLATE CAN I USE FOR THE TOP LAYER?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a great choice because they balance the sweetness of the caramel, but milk chocolate or white chocolate chips can also be used. Place the chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl with a teaspoon of vegetable oil. Microwave for 20 seconds, stir, then microwave for another 15 seconds. Stir again until smooth. If the chocolate has not fully melted, heat it for 10 more seconds and stir once more.
The vegetable oil helps the chocolate melt into a smoother consistency, making it easier to spoon over the caramel. Divide the melted chocolate evenly among all 24 cups. Add your toppings right away, before the chocolate begins to set.
MORE PRETZEL CANDY RECIPE:
Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bites
Cinnamon Roll Pretzels
Peppermint Pretzel Bites
Chocolate Pretzel Hearts
Rolo Pretzel Bites
Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cups are a fun homemade candy for the holidays or any time you want a small dessert with plenty of crunch, caramel, and chocolate. Let them set completely before serving for the cleanest layers and the best texture.
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
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Line a mini cupcake pan with liners. Parchment paper liners work best. If using decorative paper liners, spray them very lightly with cooking spray to help keep the caramel from sticking.
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Crush the pretzel sticks in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin, or pulse them a few times in a small food processor. Keep them in small pieces rather than fine crumbs. Place 1 teaspoon of crushed pretzels in each liner.
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Make the caramel layer. Place the butter in a heat-proof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir well. Microwave for 3 minutes total, stopping every 45 seconds to stir. Stir in the vanilla extract. Spoon 2 to 3 teaspoons of caramel over the pretzel layer in each cup.
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Place the chocolate chips and vegetable oil in another heat-proof bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds, stir, then microwave for 15 seconds. Stir again. If needed, microwave for 10 more seconds, then stir until smooth. Divide the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel. Add sprinkles, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut if desired.
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Let the cups sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate and caramel are set.