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The easiest Chocolate Covered Brown Sugar Espresso Spiced Pretzels. These chocolate-covered pretzels are what I call a “foolproof” dessert for the holidays. Made with salted pretzels, butter, vanilla, brown sugar, espresso, and chocolate. These treats are oh-so delicious! Each pretzel is sweet with notes of vanilla and espresso. Kind of like your favorite holiday latte, but with a salty pretzel crunch. Nothing not to love about these salty, sweet chocolate-covered snacks. They’re deliciously easy, a wonderful dessert to serve up at parties, or to gift away to friends!
Ingredients:
- Salted pretzels
- Butter, melted
- Vanilla extract
- Brown sugar
- Instant espresso powder
- Cinnamon
- Semi-sweet or dark chocolate
- Flaky sea salt
Kitchen Supplies:
- Baking sheets (two)
- Parchment paper
- Medium mixing bowls (two)
First Friday of November and I have one of our easiest Thanksgiving recipes yet! Yes, these always come out looking impressive and taste even more delicious.
The idea came to be pretty naturally. I was speaking with my mom and going over some ideas for our holiday dinners. Including the Thanksgiving family dinner that we’re hosting in Colorado this year. We both were saying how we wanted things to be simple and not feel fussy. I went over ideas for sweet desserts with her, and of course, she gravitated towards all the sweet chocolate treats on my list.
One of her favorite ideas was these pretzels. She mentioned that they sound delicious and could be great for easy snacking throughout the holidays. They would also be cute to package up to send off to loved ones or to bring along as a fun edible hostess gift!
I asked if she felt like the concept was too simple, but she reassured me that part of the excitement over this recipe is just how easy they are to create!
I thought I would test them out for our 2023 Thanksgiving menu and they turned out so yummy. We’re actually kind of obsessed with them. I’m looking forward to making these for Thanksgiving. They would also be great to package up and include in my Christmas cookie box this year!
Onto details – these are simple
Step 1: prep and bake the pretzels
For this recipe, I used a bag of salted pretzel twists. My personal favorite is the large twists, but you can use pretzel rods or mini pretzels too. Both are great for gifting!
Now, mix the pretzels in a big bowl with butter and vanilla. Then arrange the pretzels on a baking sheet.
Step 2: the espresso sugar
Mix brown sugar with instant espresso powder. I also love to add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth. I probably use 1/2 a teaspoon or so.
Generously sprinkle the sugar over each pretzel.
Step 3: bake
Bake the pretzels to caramelize the butter and the topping.
Watch the pretzels closely towards the end of baking as the sugar can burn if your oven is too hot.
Step 4: the chocolate dip
When the pretzels are cool enough, dip them in melted chocolate. I used chocolate chips but semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate pieces work nicely too.
Now freeze the pretzels to quickly set the chocolate. At this point the recipe is complete. Time to try a bite! You can arrange them in a cute box for serving or package them up for easy homemade holiday gifts!
I made a big batch of these just yesterday to share with my family and they’re officially in love with the flavors. To all of the peanut butter lovers out there… these pretzels dipped in peanut butter are delicious!
It always seems to be the simpler desserts that are truly loved the most!!
Looking for other Thanksgiving desserts? Here are my favorites:
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pumpkin Pie
Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Lastly, if you make this Chocolate Covered Espresso Spiced Pretzels, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite.
Chocolate Covered Espresso Pretzels
Servings: 22 large pretzels
Calories Per Serving: 98 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 bag (16 ounce) salted pretzels
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons instant espresso powder
- 1 pinch cinnamon (optional)
- 12 ounces milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate, melted
- flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.2. In a bowl, toss the pretzels, with melted butter and vanilla. In another bowl, mix the brown sugar, espresso powder, and cinnamon (if using). Toss the pretzels with half the sugar, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle each pretzel with any remaining sugar.3. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the pretzels are lightly caramelized. Watch close as the sugar can burn. Remove from the oven, let cool. 4. Melt the chocolate. Dip each pretzel in melted chocolate and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pretzels. Freeze for 10 minutes, until set. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
This post was originally published on November 3, 2023
Did you dip the pretzel completely in chocolate or did you only dip 3/4 to leave some of the cinnamon sugar showing? Or did you sprinkle more cinnamon sugar on top after dipping? Confused.
Hi Tiffany,
I just left the side where I was holding the pretzel not dipped in chocolate:) You can see better in some of the other photos int he post! I hope this helps! xx
Hi, I know you said you used chocolate chips but just curious, what kind of chocolate did you use? Milk, semi sweet or dark?
thanks.
Hi Patricia,
I like to use dark chocolate, but please use whatever chocolate you like best! I hope you love this recipe! xT
Hi! I am having a hard time with the pretzel type that you use in this recipe. I understand you can use different types but your actual recipe says it makes 22 pretzels… Does that mean 22 large hard pretzels? The reason I ask is because the picture shows a smaller twist pretzel and a 16 ounce bag that is about 80 pretzels. I just wanna make sure that I have the correct amount of ingredients.
TIA…BTW, love your recipes!
Hi Cassandra,
You are going to want to use large pretzels for this recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
YUM! Loving your dessert recipes lately (and ALWAYS loving your meal recipes!). Question–could I freeze these to make them last until Thanksgiving? Would love to make some NOW, but save the rest for then 🙂 Thank you Tieghan!!
Hey Kari,
Totally, that would work well for you! Let me know how this recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xx
I’m hoping to make these tomorrow and just reading through the recipe, it says “toss pretzels with half the sugar…..sprinkle with any remaining sugar” does that mean the other half of the sugar or are you says half the sugar for each sheet pan of pretzels? Sorry for being so dense 🤦♀️
Hi Ellen,
Just half of the total amount of sugar. Does that make sense? Sorry, please let me know if I need to clarify more! xT
Hello! When is the star anise incorporated in the recipe?
Hi Marsha,
Sorry for any confusion, I just used the star anise in the photos, you don’t need it for the recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
These Chocolate Covered Espresso Spiced Pretzels sound absolutely delightful! The combination of sweet, salty, and chocolatey flavors is simply irresistible. The recipe also seems quite straightforward and would undoubtedly make a great addition to any festive dessert table. I can’t wait to try it, and I’m sure my family will love these treats. Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe !
Warm regards
Thanks so much Hans! Love to hear that these pretzels were enjoyed and I appreciate you making them! xT
I make the Espresso chocolate chip oatmeal cookies regularly and they are outstanding. I have tried a few Ramen recipes with less success.
I tried these this morning and failed. I began to smell at about 4 mins and should have taken them out. I did not use parchment paper, but non-stick.
I made another batch and took them out at 4min. Slightly too done. Even so, this batch, like the first, did not seem to hold onto the sugar mix. This 2nd batch was good enough to continue.
I dipped each one in chocolate, halfway and drizzled the rest like the picture. They looked great but tasted only SO-SO. I used only 1 T espresso in this batch.
Simple, but labor intensive and the taste did not impress, very surprisingly and disappointing. Sorry HBH!
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback. So sorry to hear they were not enjoyed. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! Have a great weekend! xx
These were absolutely outstanding! Super easy, delicious, and devoured by the neighbors I shared them with. Another hit from HBH! Can’t wait for the Thanksgiving recipes and cookie box for 2023. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hey Jen,
Love to hear this! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your review:) Have a great weekend! xT
So do you drizzle additional chocolate and add sea salt after you freeze from the initial dipping – or all at the same time and then freeze? Making tonight!
Hi Kim,
You absolutely do not have to do the drizzle, I just did that for looks, but yes, if you want to you will do that after the initial dipping sets. Let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Hi! Could you explain what you mean by the serving size – “22 large pretzels”? Looks like you linked to tiny twists so just wasn’t sure what you intended! They look good though!
Hi Liz,
So sorry, I’m not sure why it linked to mini pretzels, you could certainly use mini pretzels if you wanted, otherwise this recipe will make 22 large pretzels. I hope this helps! xT
Every year, my little one who is 8 and I do a gift for our family, aunts & uncles, cousins! It’s usually a craft or something baked. Thinking this is the one for this year! Assembled in mason jars and tied with festive ribbons!
Thank you! Happy Holidays!
XO, Amy
Love this idea Amy!! Happy to share and I hope you have fun making them! Happy Friday! xT
These sound great, I think a bit of cayenne would be a nice touch also. Thank you.
Great idea Karen!
Great idea Karen! I hope you love the recipe:) xx
Perfect for gifts! What’s the shelf life of these if put in a sealed container?
Thanks Jen!! These are good for up to 1 week in an airtight container! Happy Friday! xx
Quick Qyestions- when do you add the flaky sea salt? I can’t wait to make these. Also, it looks like you drizzled some chocolate over the pretzels. They look so pretty. When did you do this?
Hi Anne,
You can sprinkle the sea salt at the end while the chocolate is setting. I just used a spoon to drizzle the pretzels after they set. I hope this helps! xx