Description
These crunchy butter toffee pretzels combine sweet and salty in one crispy bite, making them great served for party platters, packed as gifts for the holiday season, or simply enjoyed as an indulgent snack. Gluten-free and easily made dairy-free too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, (2 sticks)
- 12 ounces mini gluten-free pretzels (about 340 g)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Melt Butter & Sugar: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar. Heat over medium heat and stir occasionally until the butter is completely melted and the mixture begins to gently boil.
- Cook Caramel: Once bubbling, continue stirring the butter-sugar mixture for a few minutes until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and forms a caramel.
- Add Baking Soda and Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately add the baking soda and vanilla extract. Stir briskly for another minute; the mixture will foam and thicken slightly.
- Coat Pretzels in Caramel: In a large bowl, add the pretzels. Pour the hot caramel over the pretzels and stir gently to coat them evenly without breaking them.
- Let Caramel Set Before Enjoying: Spread the coated pretzels in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a wire rack. Let cool completely to room temperature. If your kitchen is warm, store them in the refrigerator to help them set faster.
Notes
Butter: I used regular salted butter, but if you are lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use dairy-free butter instead.
Pretzels: I used gluten-free mini pretzels to keep this recipe gluten-free, but if you are not gluten-intolerant, you can use regular mini pretzels instead. Alternatively, you may also use pretzel sticks instead of pretzel twists.
Sugar: I recommend using brown sugar for a richer flavor, but you can also use cane sugar or white sugar if you prefer.
Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract for extra flavor, but feel free to leave it out if necessary.
Baking Soda: Make sure you don’t leave this out, as the baking soda acts as a leavening agent when added to the liquid toffee mixture, reacting with acidic ingredients to create tiny air bubbles to result in lighter, airier and more brittle texture.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
