4th Of July Chocolate Covered Pretzels With Caramel
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Looking for the perfect 4th of July treat? These 4th of July chocolate covered pretzels are as fun to make as they are delicious and make the perfect party food for summer get-togethers!
When you’re planning treats for a party, you can never go wrong with chocolate! Whether you’re making white chocolate covered Oreos or rocky road fudge, it’s pretty much a no brainer. Even better? Mix chocolate and caramel together (I did just that with these chocolate and caramel cheesecake bites).
July 4th is even more fun because that’s when you can pull out all the patriotic treats like this Red, White And Blue Jello or Red, White And Blue Cake Balls. Now I’ve got some fun 4th of July themed chocolate caramel pretzels too. They look super festive and taste delish…what more could you ask for!
They’re super easy to make too! You don’t need a lot of time or ingredients to whip up a batch.
4th of July Chocolate Covered Pretzels?
I’ve always been a little obsessed with candy melts because they make everything so colorful and fun. Plus, you can match any dessert to a theme, like Valentine’s Day, Easter or 4th of July just by the colors you choose.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Unwrap and cut the caramel pieces in half.
Step 3: Place half the pretzels in rows on the baking sheet, then top each one with half of a caramel.
Step 4: Bake for about 8 minutes, until the caramels are slightly melted, then remove from oven and top with remaining pretzels. Set aside to cool.
Step 5: Use a double boiler or place a heat resistant bowl over a small pot of simmering water. Melt the blue candy melts until smooth and lump free. If needed, you can add ½ tsp of vegetable shortening at little at a time until you reach the right consistency for dipping.
Step 6: Place a sheet of wax or parchment paper on a counter, table or other flat surface. Dip about 1/3 of each pretzel into the blue chocolate, place it on your surface and sprinkle with star sprinkles and/or white sprinkles while the chocolate is still warm. If you wait too long, the sprinkles won’t stick.
Step 7: Next melt the red and white chocolates, adding vegetable oil 1/2 tsp at a time if needed.
Step 8: Working with one color at a time, place the melted chocolate in a piping bag and drizzle on the bottom 2/3 of the pretzels. Next drizzle with the second color, making sure you can still see the first color.
Step 9: Cool completely and serve.
I Don’t Have Candy Melts. What Else Can I Use?
In most cases, compound chocolate works great as a replacement for candy melts. You can use white compound, melt it in small bowls, then add a couple of drops of food coloring. Give it a good mix, then use for your recipe.
You might be tempted to use white chocolate chips. However, as opposed to candy melts, they don’t have any oil, which means they’re a lot trickier to melt. Using a compound is your best bet.
How Long Can I Store Them in the Fridge?
These red, white & blue chocolate caramel pretzels can last for weeks in the refrigerator. You’ll want to store them in an airtight container (or a plastic storage bag) if you want to keep them at their freshest.
They’ll also stay fresh for up to two weeks at room temperature. You’ll just need to keep them in a cool, dry place. If moisture gets in it could cause the pretzels to lose their crunch.
Can I Microwave The Candy Melts?
While this recipe calls you to place the candy melts in a double boiler, you can also melt them in the microwave. Start by placing the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl, then pop them into the microwave for a minute at 50% power level.
After the first minute, stir the candy melts then place back into the microwave. Microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until the candy melts are creamy and smooth.
Why Did the Melting Chocolate Turn Thick?
When chocolate melts, it should be transformed into a smooth, satiny mixture. However, we all know that in the kitchen, things don’t always go as planned. If the chocolate comes in contact with water, even the tiniest amount, it can cause the chocolate to become thick and lumpy.
If this happens, you can sometimes fix it by stirring in a little vegetable oil while heating the chocolate over a double boiler. Add one teaspoon at a time until your melted chocolate reaches the desired consistency.
Loved how some simple candy melts transform pretzels into something so yummy? Here are a few more 4th of July treats you may want to check out.
4th Of July Chocolate Covered Pretzels With Caramel
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 soft caramels
- 80 square Pretzels
- 1 cup red candy melts
- 1 cup white candy melts
- 1 cup blue candy melts
- Gold star sprinkles
- Small white sprinkles
- Vegetable oil as needed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Unwrap and cut the caramel pieces in half.
- Place half of the pretzels in rows on the baking sheet, then top each one with half a caramel.
- Bake for about 8 minutes, until the caramels are slightly melted. Remove from oven and top each one with another pretzel. Set aside to cool.
- Use a double boiler or place a heat resistant bowl over a small pot of simmering water. Melt the blue candy melts until smooth and lump free. If needed, you can add ½ tsp of vegetable shortening at little at a time until you reach the right consistency for dipping.
- Place a sheet of wax or parchment paper on a counter, table or other flat surface. Dip about 1/3 of each pretzel into the blue chocolate, place it on your surface and sprinkle with star sprinkles and/or white sprinkles. Be sure to do it while the chocolate is still warm or the sprinkles won’t stick.
- Next, melt the red and white chocolates, adding vegetable oil 1/2 tsp at a time if needed.
- Working with one color at a time, place the melted chocolate in a piping bag and drizzle on the bottom 2/3 of the pretzels. Next drizzle with the second color, making sure you can still see the first color.
- Cool completely and serve.
Nutrition
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