Chocolate Caramel Crispy Pretzels

Everyone knows about the chocolate-covered pretzel. What everyone doesn't know are the two secret ingredients that make the traditional chocolate-covered pretzel infinitely more yummy: caramel and rice crispies. I decided to make these for my nieces' birthday party - wrapping them in the pretzel cellophane bags and adding butterfly and flower tags for guests to take home.

Make them now - everyone will love you for it.

Ingredients

Pretzel rods

Chewy caramel squares (Brachs, Werthers, even Target has their own in the candy isle)

Semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (depending on your preference)

Rice Crispies (Available at speciality stores like Calico)

Colored candy melts for decorating (I like Merkens brand but for something so small, Wiltons will do)

Directions

Simple enough:

1. Melt caramel in the microwave until smooth and bubbly.

2. Dip pretzel rod in caramel. Lay on parchment paper to harden.

3. Melt the chocolate in the microwave  - use a deep bowl or glass that will allow you to coat about 75% of the pretzel.

4. Add rice crispies to melted chocolate. I saw these rice crispies while wandering the aisles of my new favorite baking supplies store, Calico in Buena Park. They stay crunchy when mixed in chocolate.

5. Dip caramel pretzel in chocolate and lay on parchment paper to harden.

6. Drizzle with melted colored candy melts for decoration.

7. Individually wrap and tag as necessary once the chocolate has hardened.