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Beer and Pretzel Caramels Recipe

Beer and Pretzel Caramels Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Beer and pretzels are a natural combination—mix them with smooth caramel and you have an awesome candy. The guys will go wild over these crunchy, chunky chews. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Beer and Pretzel Caramels Recipe

Prep: 1 hour + cooling Cook: 50 min. + standing

Yield: 81 Servings

60 50 110

Ingredients

1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups miniature pretzels
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
CARAMELS:
4 cups dark beer
1 teaspoon plus 1 cup butter, divided
3 cups sugar
2/3 cup corn syrup
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

In a small bowl, combine sugar and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the pretzels, oil and vanilla. Add sugar mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. foil-lined baking pan coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool completely. Coarsely chop pretzels; set aside.
In a large saucepan, bring beer to a boil; cook until reduced to 2/3 cup. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, line a 9-in. square pan with foil; grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter and set aside.
In a Dutch oven, combine the sugar, corn syrup, 2/3 cup cream, water, salt and remaining butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 238°, about 20 minutes. In a small bowl, combine reduced beer and remaining cream; slowly stir into sugar mixture.
Using a pastry brush dipped in cold water, wash down the sides of the pan to eliminate sugar crystals. Cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer reads 245° (firm-ball stage), about 30 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan); sprinkle with candied pretzels and kosher salt. Let stand until firm, about 5 hours or overnight. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Discard foil; cut candy into 1-in. squares using a buttered knife. Wrap individually in waxed paper; twist ends. Yield: about 3 pounds.

Editor's Note: We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Nutritional Facts 1 piece equals 90 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 14 mg cholesterol, 91 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, trace protein.

Originally published as Beer and Pretzel Caramels in Country Woman December/January 2012, p65

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Beer and Pretzel Caramels

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Reviewed on Oct. 31, 2011 by Derbie

This recipe turned out great! I made these for an Oktoberfest/Halloween potluck at work and everyone was impressed! I would make this again, although it seemed to take a bit longer to get up to temperature in both steps, I found.

Reviewed on Oct. 28, 2011 by LinzJanan

This recipe is amazing! I left out the pretzels, and it is one of the best caramels I have ever eaten! All of my co-workers agree!