Chocolate Drizzled Salty Pretzel Caramels

This recipe could be explained using lots of superlatives and oh-my-goodness adjectives, but I will let a picture do the talking:



Ready for the easy, microwave recipe for this Christmas treat? Here you go:

Chocolate Drizzle Salty Pretzel Caramels

1/2 cup sweetened, condensed milk
1/2 cup light Karo corn syrup (other brands are sometimes made from high fructose corn syrup--yuck!)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup pretzel pieces
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon kosher or rock salt

Combine first five (condensed milk through butter) ingredients in a large glass bowl (note: use one that is at least 2 quarts large--that equals 8 cups):



Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir well, repeat 2 times until you have cooked the mixture for a total of 6 minutes. Note: place a piece of waxed paper under the bowl...it will boil in the microwave and just in case, the waxed paper will catch any drips.

While the caramel is cooking, break up pieces of pretzel and lay on the bottom of a 8x8 or 9x9 pan, that has been lined with GREASED foil, making sure they are only in one layer.

Pour the caramel in the pan (make sure you place the glass bowl in the sink and immediately fill with hot water to soak, it will make clean-up a breeze!):


Place in the fridge for about 15 minutes or until is firm but still malleable. Bring out and cut into 6x6 or 7x7 cubes:


Pick up each piece of caramel and shape gently with your fingers if desired. Place on tray, Silpat mat or parchment paper.

Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, 30 seconds on high. Stir, repeat until the chocolate is fully melted. Use a fork or spoon and drizzle chocolate on top of caramels:


Sprinkle with kosher or rock salt:


Let cool and then they're ready to eat!

Want another look?:


Yum.

Life is sweet!
SPC

PS--if you want to do just plain caramels, here is the original recipe I used as a launching point for this recipe.