With 99.% of my loved ones scattered across multiple states and counties, I’m always on the hunt for recipes that not only mail well, but make great gifts. In my family homemade presents are always the ones most loved, and since we have a BIG family, it definitely helps cut costs comes holiday season.
These salted caramel pretzel pecan bon bons are definitely going to be in high demand this year! Crunchy pretzels topped with soft, chewy caramel, salty pecans, and, if desired, a sprinkle of toasted coconut.
They’re pure perfection!
This recipe yields 40 bon bons, meaning you could eat 10 and still have enough to make 3 loved ones very happy! I find 10 bon bons per bag/box is the perfect amount for gifting! But you can of course give more/less, as you see fit.
Because I love you – step by step pics! <3
First you’re going to line your baking sheet with the pretzels. So seriously simple.
Next place a caramel on top of each pretzel…
And bake them for 7-8 minutes. You want the caramel soft enough to accept the pecan, but definitely not melted! So keep an eye.
Once the caramel pretzels have emerged from the oven, you’ll want to quickly press a toasted pecan into the top of each one. Mmm!!! Things are getting good!!!
Do you know what time is? Chocolate o’Clock! You’ll need 10 ounces of chopped chocolate…
and you’ll melt it down with a smidge of coconut oil, vanilla, and cinnamon. YUM—>I want to drink it straight. Chocolate shots anyone?
Now it’s time to get messy. You’ll dunk each bon bon in the melted chocolate (I find lining the table with parchment paper during this process really helps when it comes time to clean up) and then sprinkle the toasted coconut on top, if using. You may also choose to only dunk the bottoms, or dunk the bottoms and drizzle the tops with chocolate, or, well, there are endless creative options here! Feel free to be as wild or modest as you feel… you know I went MAD crazy with the chocolate, right? I am a chocoholic through and through. I have my mother to thank for that 😉
The chocolates will need to come to room temperature before you eat/box them, so be sure to keep that in mind.
Salted Caramel Pretzel Pecan Bon Bons are SO easy to make and really do make an amazing gift to any chocolate lover! I also like to make a big batch and slip a few in C’s lunchbox everyday as a special treat. I’m such an enabler 😉
Salted Caramel Pretzel Pecan Bon Bons
Ingredients
- 40 Mini-pretzels (be sure to use whole, unbroken ones)
- 40 Kraft Caramels, Unwrapped
- 10 ounces, Baker's Semi-sweet Chocolate
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 40 whole Pecan Halves, toasted
- 1/2 cup toasted Baker's shredded coconut, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the pretzels in neat rows on the pan, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped caramel. Place the pan into the oven for 6 minutes, or until the caramels are softened; remove the pan from the oven.
- Gently press a toasted pecan half onto each caramel; set aside and cool completely.
- In the meantime, melt the chocolate, coconut oil, cinnamon, and vanilla. You can do this on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- When the caramel covered pretzels have cooled, remove them from the baking sheet.
- Place a few in the bowl of melted chocolate, stir them around to coat completely, then remove them one at a time, allowing excess chocolate to drip off; repeat until all pretzels have been dipped; transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Top wet chocolate with coconut, if using.
- Allow chocolate coating to cool completely before serving.
Robbyn Tygrett says
Can these be made a few weeks ahead and frozen? Want to use them as favors for my daughter’s wedding on Aug 1.
Brandice Roberts says
My daughter made similar treats as Christmas gifts, using Rolo candies on top of the pretzels. There is a brand of pretzels that I can’t remember, but they make little square shaped, checkerboard pretzels that make a perfect base.. She topped them with either pecan halves, or a red or green m&m to give a festive and tasty variety. They were delicious!
Maria says
I’m making these for Easter, going to use werthers baking caramels, I had to order them off Amazon (which I found quite annoying) gonna try the drizzled chocolate. . Wish me Luck!!!!
Corrie says
I make these with rolos, you have the caramel and the chocolate. My family loves them!
Yona Zeldis McDonough says
I cannot wait to try these! And they look perfect for Xmas gifts! (I know it’s a tad early, but always good to plan ahead…)
bakerbynature says
Hi Yona! Yes – these make great gifts. And if you want a softer caramel treat, use a rolo instead of the caramel 😉
Nichole says
I had such high hopes for these to turn out absolutely wonderful but after sliding into the grocery store at the last second on Christmas Eve to get coconut oil and with all of my pretty little bags waiting this was a complete waste of money and time. The caramel gets EXTREMELY hard after melting, so much that I thought it would break my tooth. Soooo disappointed.
bakerbynature says
Hi Nichole. I’m sorry that you were let down with this recipe. My caramels were semi-hard, but certainly not break your tooth hard. You could try using a rolo next time so they stay soft.
Michelle says
The Kraft caramels were entirely too hard, especially after heating them. So sad that I didn’t like them, I worked so hard on them to give as gifts for Christmas but I’m now too embarrassed to give them, I made them exactly as the recipe says.
Suzanne says
Sounds great! I am going to make these today. just to be sure, are the almonds already toasted or do I toast them?
bakerbynature says
Hi Suzanne! I used toasted pecans here. Mine were already toasted, but you can easily toast yours in the oven for a few minutes before making the bon bons. Have a great weekend!
Melva Massey says
Hi! These look so delicious! I want to make these to pass out as Christmas gifts. Are you using a hard or chewy caramel? I found all the supplies I need except the caramel squares! I’ve been to every Walmart/Target possible and can’t find them! Please help!
bakerbynature says
Hi Melva. I used the Kraft brand mentioned in the ingredient list. Did you check the seasonal aisle/baking aisle/candy aisle? Sometimes it’s placed somewhere random in the store, but I always find them at Walmart/Target/or my local grocery.
Mike says
Great recipe! I notice the fork prongs have chocolate on them. How was the fork used in the process?
bakerbynature says
Hi Mike. I used the fork to dip each bon bon in chocolate.