Caramel Pretzel Pecan Bites
Caramel pretzel pecan bites combine a crisp pretzel, a soft caramel center, toasted pecan, and a small dark chocolate finish. This version avoids a branded candy requirement and provides exact weights and a fixed 24-piece yield. The caramel is softened in the oven rather than fully melted.
Ingredients
- 24 small square pretzels, about 1.5 ounces total
- 24 individually wrapped soft caramels, about 6 ounces unwrapped
- 24 pecan halves, about 2 ounces
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon refined coconut oil
- 1/8 teaspoon flaky salt, optional
Equipment
- Rimmed quarter-sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Microwave-safe bowl and small spoon
- Heat-safe cooling rack
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 300°F. Line the pan with parchment.
- Arrange the 24 pretzels in a single layer. Place one unwrapped caramel in the center of each.
- Bake for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the caramels look glossy and yield when gently pressed. Do not wait for them to liquefy.
- Set the hot pan on a heat-safe rack. Immediately press one pecan half into each softened caramel. Let cool for 20 minutes.
- Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 20 seconds, stir, then use 10-second intervals until smooth.
- Drizzle the chocolate evenly over all 24 bites. Add optional flaky salt before the chocolate sets.
- Leave at cool room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for 10 minutes, until the chocolate is firm.
Preparation and Safety Notes
Unwrap and count the caramels before heating the oven so assembly is not delayed. Hot caramel can cause burns and remains hot after leaving the oven. Adults should handle the pan and pressing step, and the bites should cool before anyone tastes them.
Watch the caramel rather than relying only on time. Brands and piece sizes soften differently. If it flows off the pretzel, the oven time was too long. Use a dry spoon and bowl with chocolate because water can make it seize.
Substitutions and Allergens
Walnut halves can replace pecans by count, but their shape and flavor differ. Milk chocolate can replace dark chocolate in the same volume. A nut-free version requires more than omitting pecans: verify pretzel, caramel, chocolate, and facility labels for cross-contact.
Portioning and Presentation
Lay out all 24 pretzels before adding caramel so missing or broken pieces can be replaced while everything is still cool. Keeping the pieces in a grid also makes it easier to divide the chocolate drizzle evenly. These bites are firm and chewy, so they may not be appropriate for very young children or anyone who has difficulty chewing.
Do not stack the bites until the chocolate is completely set. Warm chocolate transfers to the parchment and neighboring pieces.
Storage
Once fully set, store the bites in a covered container in a cool, dry place for up to three days, or refrigerate them if the room is warm. Separate layers with parchment. Let refrigerated bites stand briefly before eating because caramel becomes firm when cold.
Programme Note
No points, Syns, or nutrition value is stated. Calculate the exact brands and 24-piece yield if needed.
