Description
Crispy pretzels meet caramelized butter toffee in this irresistible sweet-salty snack from American kitchens. Rich layers of flavor meld together, creating a crunchy treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups mini pretzel twists
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- Sea salt flakes (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 350F (175C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an optimal surface for pretzel arrangement.
- Pretzel Positioning: Spread pretzels in a single, evenly distributed layer across the prepared sheet, minimizing overlap to ensure uniform heat exposure.
- Toffee Foundation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, establishing a smooth liquid base for the caramel coating.
- Caramelization Process: Integrate brown sugar into melted butter, stirring continuously while bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil. Maintain constant motion to prevent sugar crystallization and promote even caramelization.
- Toffee Development: Allow the sugar-butter blend to bubble energetically for 2-3 minutes, observing a slight thickening that signals proper toffee consistency.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat and swiftly blend vanilla extract, salt, and optional baking soda, creating a rich, aromatic toffee mixture with potential textural complexity.
- Coating Technique: Generously drench pretzels with the hot toffee, using a spatula to ensure thorough and even coverage of each piece.
- Baking Transformation: Slide the toffee-coated pretzels into the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes. Watch carefully for a golden-brown coloration and bubbling toffee that indicates perfect caramelization.
- Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven and let pretzels rest for 5 minutes, allowing initial cooling and toffee stabilization. Transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and final hardening of the toffee coating.
Notes
- Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Continuously stir the butter and brown sugar mixture to avoid lumps and ensure smooth, even caramelization.
- Watch Baking Closely: Keep a vigilant eye on pretzels during the 10-12 minute baking period to prevent burning and achieve the perfect golden-brown color.
- Achieve Optimal Coating: Use a spatula to gently tumble pretzels, ensuring each piece gets thoroughly and evenly coated with the toffee mixture.
- Enhance Flavor Variations: Experiment with optional additions like sea salt sprinkle or baking soda for texture complexity and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 172
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg