Turtle Pretzels

I hosted neighborhood bunko back in January and I’m finally getting around to telling you about the Turtle Pretzels I made for the evening.  They were a definite hit, but a lot of work.  If you don’t like snacks that take a lot of work, just stop reading right now.

The first two ingredients you need are pretzel nuggets (I used Snyder’s of Hanover Sourdough Nuggets) and those little square caramels by Brach’s.  First unwrap about a gajillion of those caramels.  Then put 5 or 6 at a time on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for about 10 seconds on half power.  Then, one at a time, roll each caramel flat between some wax paper.

Next you’re going to wrap that caramel around a pretzel nugget and seal the edges.  It’s okay if pretzel peeks through and it doesn’t have to look pretty.

Mine definitely didn’t.

(At this point they look reeeeally unappetizing, but you will still be irresistibly drawn to taste test a few.  Stop it!  These take forever to make and you are eating them all!)

Wrapping up these little suckers is going to take you awhile.  Get comfortable,  pop open a Diet Coke, put on some of your DVR’d 30Rock episodes, and possibly get your children to massage your shoulders in exchange for an occasional funky looking caramel pretzel nugget.

Next you are going to melt some chocolate, and, using a toothpick stuck into the caramel, you will dip each nugget in the chocolate then place on a wax paper covered cookie sheet.  I also dipped about half of the pretzels in crushed almonds immediately after dipping in chocolate.  I have absolutely no pictures for you at this point because I was covered in chocolate and didn’t want to chocolify my camera.

The nuggets that were not dipped in pecans looked a little…boring.  So I melted a little white chocolate, put it in a baggie, cut a teeny-tiny hole in the corner and drizzled a cute little swirl on them.  They all need to go in the fridge to cool for a good long time.

They tasted great, and looked so pretty! 

And then after bunko was over and everyone went home, I realized there was a pile of dirt in the corner of the kitchen that I had swept up but neglected to sweep into the dustpan and throw out. 

Geez. 

I hope no one noticed.

 

Turtle Pretzels

14 oz. bag of soft caramels (about 48)

10 oz. bag pretzel nuggets

12 oz. chocolate (melting wafers or blocks)

2 c. chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, etc.)

 

Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper, set aside. 

Unwrap the caramels.  Microwave 5-6 caramels at a time for 10 seconds at 50% power.  One at a time, place a caramel between two sheets of wax or parchment paper (not the one on the baking sheet), then use a rolling pin to roll it into an oval about 1/8 in. thick.

Wrap the flattened caramel around a pretzel nugget, pinching the ends to seal.  Set aside on another sheet of parchment paper.  Repeat. 47 more times.  Ugh.

In microwave, melt half the chocolate, stirring occasionally, until smooth.  Place nuts in a shallow bowl.  One at a time, use a toothpick or fork to dip each pretzel nugget in the chocolate to coat, tapping off any excess, then dip in the nuts to coat.  Set on the prepared baking sheet.  Repeat.  47 more times.  Good Golly Miss Molly.

Let stand until set, about 3 hours, before packaging.  Can be placed in refrigerator to set more quickly.

 

I am linking this post with Foodie Friday.  I bet no one at Foodie Friday ever forgets to sweep up that last pile of dirt.