Beer and Pretzel Caramels Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Beer and Pretzel Caramels
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1 hour + cooling Cook: 50 min. + standing
YIELD: about 3 pounds (81 servings).
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. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ingredients
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PRETZELS:
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1/3 cup sugar
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 cups miniature pretzels
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1 tablespoon canola oil
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1 tablespoon vanilla extract
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CARAMELS:
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4 cups dark beer
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1 teaspoon plus 1 cup butter, divided
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3 cups sugar
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2/3 cup corn syrup
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2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
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1/3 cup water
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
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1.
Preheat oven to 350°. For pretzels, in a small bowl, combine sugar and salt. In a large bowl, combine the pretzels, oil and vanilla. Add sugar mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. foil-lined baking pan coated with cooking spray.
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2.
Bake until sugars have melted and caramelized, 10-13 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not overcook or sugar may burn. Cool completely. Coarsely chop pretzels.
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3.
In a large saucepan, bring beer to a boil; cook until reduced to 2/3 cup. Set aside to cool.
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4.
Meanwhile, line a 9-in. square pan with foil; grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter.
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5.
In a Dutch oven, combine the sugar, corn syrup, 2/3 cup cream, water, salt and remaining 1 cup 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 1-1/3 cups cream; slowly stir into sugar mixture.
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6.
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.
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7.
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.
Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 90 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
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