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So, I think that edible gifts are probably some of the best.
Especially if they contain chocolate, coconut and coconut caramel. I mean really, does it get any better? Plus, I feel like when you make something with your hands, it really shows that you spent some time thinking and creating a gift that the receiver will enjoy.
Kind of cheesy, but true. Homemade is always the best… unless of course it’s that new, crazy expensive lens I am dying to get… hint, hint mom.
Anyway, I read a comment from Friday’s post that said my Christmas spirit was contagious and when I read it, I thought, “YES, that is exactly what I want”. Like it made me so excited to think that I was making others excited about Christmas too! Of course I did not know that was what I was going for until I read that comment, but once I did, it all made sense to me.
I love, love, love being able to really get into the holidays and without a doubt Christmas is my favorite. It’s the cozy white snow (which we desperately need more of – melting 🙁 our house is in a very sunny spot), red and green colors, a classic decorated christmas tree (I am a classic girl all the way, white lights and homemade ornaments and a little bit of sparkle), fire going, hot chocolate and a side of cookies, Christmas music and just general “down time” with the family. The down time with the family does not actually happen until like Christmas Eve, but still, I love it. Unfortunately, this December is just a little TOO busy. I am trying my best to jam in as much Christmas goodies as possible though. BUT I am keeping them simple. Well, most of them anyway….I may have a couple special things planned.
These cute little bites have been in my head, just floating around and waiting to be made, for forever now. I was waiting until just this time to share them because well, anything involving chocolate covered pretzels, coconut and caramel reminds me of Christmas, and things that seem Christmassy to me must are meant to be shared in December.
It’s this weird rule I have had since I was a kid. No Christmas until December. Trust me you do not want to know the full story.
Of course, I pretty much break my own rule every year by listening to Christmas music in November, but I just can’t help it! Ok and maybe this year we got our tree a little bit early. Oh jeez. I guess I am breaking all my stupid rules.
The older I get the more I give in. Christmastime is too short and rules are no fun anyway!
I made these chocolate covered pretzel presents on Friday and they are so easy. AND so perfect for packaging up as gifts or having sit out at a holiday party. People can just pop them into their mouths. Maybe one or two before dinner, then as a sneak off to the bathroom mid-dinner treat, and of course the totally appropriate – after dinner sweet… yep, I’d be eating them throughout the night.
The base starts with a pretzel, then you just add a little of the coconut caramel mixture, top with another pretzel, dip in chocolate and top with a few grains of sea salt. You could also add an almond or pecan on top if you like. Like I said, pretty easy!
I have to warn you though, these are addicting. You cannot just have one. If you are making these as gifts, I’d double – or even triple – the recipe. Trust me, you will want, no NEED, some for yourself, really you will!
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Coconut Caramel Somoa Present Bites.
Servings: 60 Pretzels
Calories Per Serving: 83 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup canned full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
- 1 bag waffle or mini pretzel twist pretzels
- 14 ounces dark chocolate or semi-sweet
- sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a dry, large deep heavy skillet cook the sugar over moderately high heat, stirring constantly with a heat proof, rubber spatula, until the sugar is melted and turns a deep golden caramel, remove the skillet from the heat, and into the side of the skillet carefully pour in the coconut milk.
- Return the pot to the heat and, cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, until the caramel is thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the butter, rum and vanilla. Stir the mixture until the butter is melted. Stir in the shredded coconut.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place as many pretzels as you can on the baking sheet, I was able to fit about 55. Place about a teaspoon or two of the coconut caramel mixture onto each pretzel and then sandwich together with another pretzel. Place the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt the chocolate over a double broiler until smooth (or use the microwave, stirring in 30 second intervals). Use a fork to dip each pretzel into the chocolate, letting the excess shake off. Place back on the parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pretzels. Place in the freezer until set, about 10 minutes. Drizzle on more melted chocolate, if desired, and then place back on the parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the tops with sea salt.
- Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to set. Store in the fridge or in a cool place.
Now let’s go do some awesome gifting!
These look great. Does this use sweetened or unsweetened coconut milk? Thanks!
I use unsweetened coconut milk. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan ?
My family loved these so much last year, I’m making them again this year. But I can’t remember if the coconut milk is sweetened or unsweetened?
Thank you in advance!
I like to use unsweetened. Please let me know if you have any other questions. So glad you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan ?
How far ahead of time can these beauties be made? I’m making several cookies and candies this year. These look flippin DELICIOUS!
You can make these up to a week (maybe even more) ahead of time. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Teighan,
These are AMAZING! My family loved them! Even the non coconut lovers. Chocolate dipping is always hard for me. If I use the microwave method, the chocolate usually cools before I’m finished and reheating multiple times doesn’t work well. And when using a double broiler method, I always seem to burn my hand from the steam. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks for the recipe and thank you in advance for any suggestion.
Anastasia
HI!! I actually just like to melt the chocolate over LOW heat in a pot on the stove. I don’t use a double broiler, but just be sure to stir often to keep the chocolate from burning. Please let me know if you have other questions. Glad you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s 🙂
These look incredible. Wondering if this recipe would still work if one were to skip the shredded coconut?
HI Andrea! Unfortunately, the shredded coconut is what binds everything together and cannot be left out. This caramel is not a hard caramel so it will not hold it’s shape without the coconut. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? ?
Your photography seriously blows my mind. What lens do you use here? How do you edit, do you use a filter?
Thanks Hilary!! I used a 35mm 1.4 lens and lightroom to edit.
Okay…so my sister tried these on my referral…she had a bit of trouble with the caramel not firming up enough…so with her lesson learned, when I made it, I used a candy thermometer and made sure it made it to soft ball stage…no issues, didn’t need to refrigerate…Did need about 18 ounces of chocolate to dip with another 2-3 for drizzling…and it took about 2 hours start to finish…not including the time it takes for them to finally set up at the end…but that’s down time…I haven’t tasted them yet, but they look beautiful and one of the people she gifted to said it was the best candy she ever tasted!
Just wanted to follow up that these were worth every bit of the effort…though really not any more effort than any other individually dipped candy…beautiful and delicious and a really new and different candy to put on my cookie plates…and I worried that the pretzels might eventually get soft…no issues there…they are wonderful! Thank you for an inspired candy!
SO happy you loved these! Thanks and Merry Chritsmas!
Made this today for a cookie swap and am super happy with the results! Took me quite a bit longer than a half hour to scoop the caramel and dip in chocolate, but well worth it. Tip –> buy extra chocolate chips. I went through two bags and still needed more.
Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
These chocolates look amazing! Love the combination of ingredients.
Thanks!
I’m changing my name to “Chocolate” just so that last bag means it’s for me. That’s allowed, right? I’m 100% with you – homemade gifts are the best! And these caramely presents would make ANYONE happy.
HAha! I can’t believe you caught that! 🙂
Thanks Sarah!
These caught my eye on Tastespotting and I had to come over and take a look. I love the combination of salty pretzels with sweet chocolate, and tossing caramel in the mix is just genius. Pinned!
Hey Amanda! Thanks so much for checking these out and the kind words! 🙂
Have a great week!
I love these! Salty and sweet and crunchy – basically the ideal snack 😀
Thanks so much!
Ahh these look incredible! And they’re super cute too 🙂
Thank you!
How do you come up with all these recipes? Did you go to culinary school or are you just a food genius? Hahah 🙂
HA! No culinary school, but thank you so much for the kind words. I am totally not a genius!
I love these photos Tieghan! They are so whimsical, and those chocolate-covered pretzels look amazing!
Thank you!