Pretzel Toffee Recipe

By Jill Baird · Published September 25, 2023 · Updated November 1, 2023 · 4 Comments

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These simple Butter Toffee Pretzels are sweet, salty and perfect for snacking or gifting during the holidays. This recipe uses just 5 ingredients and takes only a few minutes to prepare, but is sure to disappear fast.

Pretzel Toffee Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (1)

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Pretzel Toffee Recipe
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Toffee Ingredients
How to Make Pretzel Toffee
Recipe Variations
Frequently Asked Questions
Storing and Freezing
Pretzel Toffee Recipe
Here are more of our favorite Christmas candy recipes:

This chocolate covered Pretzel Toffee has it all - salty pretzels, sweet and buttery toffee all smothered in milk chocolate and topped off with toasted nuts. Each bite has so many different flavors and textures that you will find yourself struggling not to eat every piece that is in front of you. They're nicknamed “Pretzel Christmas Crack” for a reason.

Not only does this pretzel candy make the perfect holiday snack, it also makes a great last-minute homemade Christmas gift. It’s festive, delicious, and so incredibly simple - no mixers, candy thermometers or special equipment necessary. Wrap a little stack in wax paper with a cute ribbon and a tag for friends, neighbors, kid’s teachers, or anyone else you may have on your list.

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Chocolate Covered Pretzel Toffee Ingredients

Pretzels - we recommend using mini pretzel sticks or mini pretzel twists for this recipe. Mini pretzels will give you the most pretzel per square inch, and they are the perfect height to where they will just show through the top of the toffee after it sets.
Butter - unsalted butter works great.
Brown Sugar - we like light brown sugar for this recipe.
Chocolate Chips - this recipe calls for mini milk chocolate chips. However, you could try substituting all types of other chocolate chip flavors. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate or even peanut butter chocolate chips would all taste fantastic. Just be sure and use mini-size chocolate chips because they melt the quickest.
Nuts - we recommend using walnuts, almonds or pecans. You’ll want to toast and chop them ahead of time. If you want your Pretzel Toffee to be nut-free, you can skip the nuts altogether.

How to Make Pretzel Toffee

Arrange pretzels. Butter a 15" x 21" baking sheet, or line with parchment paper, then arrange pretzels evenly over the bottom.
Cook the toffee. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar and bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 minutes while whisking.
Pour over the pretzels. Pour the toffee mixture over the pretzels.
Bake. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 5 minutes.
Add chocolate chips. Remove the pretzels and toffee from the oven and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top. Let the hot pretzels melt the chocolate chips, then spread the melted chocolate evenly over the crackers using a spatula.
Top with nuts. Sprinkle the chopped and toasted nuts evenly over the melted chocolate, gently pressing them in before it sets.
Let the chocolate set. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to the fridge until solid before breaking or cutting into pieces. Enjoy!

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Recipe Variations

Nut-free Pretzel Toffee: If you want to make your Pretzel Toffee nut-free, skip the nuts and sprinkle chopped pretzels over the top instead.
Salted Caramel Butter Toffee Pretzels: If you like your sweet things a little salty, add a little butter and brown sugar mixture. Then, finish with a light dusting of coarse sea salt over the top of the melted chocolate before it sets up.
Festive toppings. For Christmas, top with red and green sprinkles or M&Ms.
Peanut Butter Butter Toffee Pretzels: Combine smooth peanut butter with the butter toffee mixture. It'll create a peanut butter toffee that coats the pretzels, offering a delightful savory-sweet experience.
Espresso Butter Toffee Pretzels: Add instant espresso powder to the toffee mixture for a coffee-infused twist.
Cinnamon Sugar Butter Toffee Pretzels: Sprinkle your butter toffee pretzels with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar while they're still warm.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best pretzels to use for Pretzel Toffee?

You’ll want to use mini pretzels because they are the perfect width to where they will just show through the toffee and chocolate layers. If you try and use regular sized pretzels, they will stick out too far.

Can I freeze Pretzel Toffee?

Yes! Just be sure and wrap the Pretzel Toffee in plastic wrap before placing it in an airtight container. Store frozen for up to 1 month, then let thaw at room temperature before eating.

Why is my toffee chewy?

The most common reason is that you did not boil the butter and brown sugar mixture for long enough. This means that not enough water has evaporated and the sugar did not reach a high enough temperature making for soggy toffee. Be sure and boil for a full 2 minutes.

Storing and Freezing

Room Temperature: store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezer: if you need to store this for longer, wrap well in plastic wrap then place in an airtight container for up to 1 month.