Tasty Butter Toffee Pretzels

Featured in: Desserts to Satisfy Every Craving

Mix butter with brown sugar and vanilla until bubbling. Dump over mini pretzels in large tray, mix until fully covered. Add toffee bits across the top. Cook gently until coating turns crunchy, mix once during baking. Cool fully before breaking into pieces. Creates irresistible sweet-salty munchies.

A woman in a kitchen with a stove and oven.
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:04:24 GMT
A close-up view of a bowl filled with crunchy, caramel-coated pretzels sprinkled with coarse sugar. Pin it
A close-up view of a bowl filled with crunchy, caramel-coated pretzels sprinkled with coarse sugar. | cookingkitchn.com

These Butter Toffee Pretzels mix sweet and crunchy in one addictive snack. The buttery candy layer wrapped around crisp pretzels creates a munchable treat you'll keep reaching for. You won't be able to put them down once you've tasted this perfect combo of flavors.

Benefits Worth Noting

These treats are perfect for anyone craving that sweet-salty combo. They're way tastier than anything from a store since they come straight from your kitchen. Whip them up for gatherings or movie nights - everyone will beg you for your secret. They're simple to create but impossible to stop munching on.

Required Ingredients

  • Small Pretzels: Twisted varieties work perfectly
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness
  • Butter: Unsalted works best
  • Corn Syrup: Gives a glossy finish
  • Vanilla: Just a tiny amount
  • Baking Soda: Creates airiness
  • Toffee Bits: Purchased or smashed Heath candy bars

Cooking Instructions

Prepare Oven:
Set to 200°F. Give a large baking sheet a quick spray to prevent sticking.
Arrange Pretzels:
Lay pretzels flat on the tray without overlapping.
Create Topping:
Combine brown sugar, butter pieces, and corn syrup in a saucepan. Warm until bubbling. Continue mixing for 5 minutes.
Mix In Extras:
Remove from heat. Add vanilla and baking soda. Don't worry when it bubbles up - that's normal.
Coat Mixture:
Drizzle the mixture over pretzels. Scatter half the toffee pieces across the top.
Combine Everything:
Gently toss to coat pretzels evenly.
Cook:
Place in oven for 60 minutes. Stir every quarter hour to ensure even cooking.
Finishing Touch:
Transfer to wax paper. Sprinkle remaining toffee bits while still warm.
Rest:
Allow to sit for 60 minutes until completely firm. Break into smaller pieces before serving.

Discovered By Chance

I stumbled upon these at a buddy's place. They bought them pre-made, but the homemade version tastes so much better. Now I don't need to shop for them - I just whip up a batch whenever cravings hit.

Perks of Homemade

You could grab a bag from the store, but making them at home is so much better. You control all the ingredients, they're super fresh, and your kitchen smells fantastic during cooking. And you can tweak the recipe to suit your taste - add more sweetness or saltiness as you prefer.

Perfecting The Glaze

You've gotta be patient with the sugar mixture. Keep stirring until everything melts together and bubbles nicely. When you throw in the baking soda, it'll expand - that's what gives you that airy, crisp texture. Don't leave out those toffee bits - they really take the flavor up a notch.

A close-up of caramel-coated pretzels scattered on a baking sheet. Pin it
A close-up of caramel-coated pretzels scattered on a baking sheet. | cookingkitchn.com

Cooking Advice

Take your time with the cooking process. That full hour in the oven is crucial for perfect results. Make sure to stir four times during baking or they might burn on the bottom. If they aren't crunchy enough after an hour, let them go another fifteen minutes. They're ready when the coating looks completely dry.

Cluster Formation

It's totally fine when the pretzels stick together in groups - that's exactly what should happen. These little bunches are actually the tastiest part. Each chunk gives you that ideal balance of sweet coating with salty pretzel. They're perfect for grabbing and snacking by the handful.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can't eat wheat pretzels?

Go for wheat-free options instead. Rice pretzels turn out great too. Look at labels carefully - some claim wheat-free but aren't really. Test one first - certain types break too easily when coated. Corn varieties stand up well. You can try this with crackers too.

→ How long they stay good?

They'll last seven days in an airtight container. Even longer if kept completely dry. Add paper towel at container bottom. No need for refrigeration. They might soften if exposed to air. Gently shake container occasionally to prevent sticking.

→ Want darker sweet taste?

Try dark brown sugar instead. A touch of honey works nicely. Cook sugar a bit more for deeper color. But watch carefully to avoid burning. Some people like adding a splash of maple.

→ Need to make stuff early?

Prepare dry ingredients beforehand. Set pretzels up in your pan. Only make the hot mixture when you're ready. It hardens too quickly if prepared ahead. But you can measure everything out in advance.

→ Scared of burning the sweet?

Keep mixing constantly. Use low heat. Remove it when you notice color changing. The butter helps prevent burning. A candy thermometer comes in handy.

→ Taking them places?

Use firm containers to prevent breakage. Put paper between layers. Keep away from heat during travel. Don't pile them too high. Maybe bring extra since they'll disappear quickly.

→ Want em extra crunchy?

Cook them longer. Let them cool completely. Start with thicker pretzels. Try coating them twice. But mind your oven temperature.

→ Too sticky or hard?

You might need extra butter. Or reduce cooking time. Allow longer cooling. Spread them out more widely. Humidity affects the outcome too.

→ Need more flavor pop?

Try sprinkling salt on top. A bit of vanilla tastes great. Cinnamon works wonderfully. Some folks add crushed nuts. Even coffee powder adds nice flavor.

→ Making big batch?

Just double all ingredients. Use two separate pans. Switch positions in oven. Make additional coating. Keep some uncoated as backup.

→ Want em fancy?

Add melted chocolate on top. Dust with colorful sugar. Try different pretzel shapes. Arrange them nicely. Pack in transparent bags with ribbons.

Conclusion

Enjoyed these? Give candy popcorn a shot. Or create crunchy toffee with nuts. They'll satisfy your crunchy sweet tooth just the same.

Caramel Coated Pretzels

Simple sugary gathering snacks.

Prep Time
60 Minutes
Cook Time
65 Minutes
Total Time
125 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Sweet Delights

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 cups

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 bag (about 16 oz) mini pretzel twists, making roughly 10 cups.
02 1 cup light brown sugar, packed loosely.
03 1/2 cup diced unsalted butter.
04 1/4 cup corn syrup (light).
05 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
06 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
07 1 package Heath toffee bits.

Instructions

Step 01

Get your oven going at 200°F (93°C). Coat a big roasting pan with non-stick spray, or grab a throwaway one to make cleanup easier.

Step 02

Dump your pretzels into the pan and spread them around flat. Put it aside while you work on the sweet coating.

Step 03

Mix your brown sugar, butter chunks, and corn syrup in a pot. Heat it up, stirring all the time until it starts bubbling. Keep stirring and let it cook another 5 minutes.

Step 04

Take the pot off the heat and stir in your vanilla and baking soda. Don't worry when it foams up like crazy—that's just what happens.

Step 05

Drizzle your hot sugar mix all over the pretzels in your pan. Make sure it goes everywhere. Sprinkle half the toffee pieces on top.

Step 06

Softly mix up all the pretzels so they get nice and covered with the sweet stuff and toffee bits.

Step 07

Stick your coated pretzels in the warm oven for an hour. Stir them every 15 minutes so they don't burn and get evenly covered.

Step 08

After baking, put the pretzels on wax paper on your counter. Right away, scatter the rest of your toffee bits over them.

Step 09

Wait about an hour until everything cools down and gets hard. Then break them into smaller chunks for snacking or storing.

Notes

  1. You can keep these tasty treats for about a week if you store them in a sealed container at room temp.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • Big roasting pan.
  • Cooking pot.
  • Mixing spoon.
  • Wax paper.
  • Non-stick spray.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~