Sweet and salty Reese’s Caramel Bites that taste just like a Take 5 candy bar! They are quick and easy to make with only 4 ingredients.
These sweet and salty Reese’s Caramel Bites taste just like a Take 5 candy bar, and they are quick and easy to make with only 4 ingredients!
So, who else out there loves Take 5 candy bars? Because they are probably my favorite candy bar ever. The combination of sweet and salty can’t be beat. And I’m just going to go ahead and assume you’ve had a Take 5 before, and if not you are really missing out, but you’ve come to the right place. My Reese’s Caramel Pretzel Bites were inspired by my love for Take 5.
A Take 5 candy bar is basically pretzels, peanut butter, peanuts, chocolate and caramel. So I thought, hey, Reese’s is the perfect little addition to these homemade candies.
So, sit back, relax, and… no, just kidding, make these candies, you won’t be disappointed, and they won’t last long in your home. Actually, when I first made these, I brought them to my friend’s house and her and her Fiancé scarfed them all down. I think I only had two. Ekk. But, I left some at home in the fridge so I could enjoy them later!
To get started, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent any sticking, and lay out the pretzel squares (feel free to use whatever shape of pretzel your heart desires). Then, top each pretzel with a mini Reese’s. I put the top of the Reese’s face down. Next, you’re going to pop those suckers in the oven for 3-4 minutes at 250 degrees F. Just enough to soften them up, but not melt them.
Once removed from the oven, immediately place two peanuts on top of each softened Reese’s by gently pressing. Let these babies cool in the freezer for 10 minutes or the fridge until the chocolate is firm.
Either whip up the simple homemade caramel (recipe below) or purchase caramel from the store, and drizzle it over the top of the candies. You’ll want the caramel slightly warm for the best drizzle. And just like that, your work here is done. Let the candies cool in the freezer for about 10 minutes so the caramel can slightly harden.
These candies should be stored in an airtight container or bag in the fridge to prevent the chocolate or caramel from becoming too soft.
P.s. Now i’m having a serious craving for these candies, and they are all gone. I MUST MAKE MORE.
BTW.. If you’re looking for some tasty dinner ideas before you go to town on these candies (unless you’re planning to just eat these candies for dinner.. no judgment), check out my dinner or soup and chili recipes!
Reese’s Caramel Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
- Mini pretzels I used squares
- Reese’s Miniature Peanut Butter Cups
- Peanuts
- Caramel sauce (recipe below or store-bought)
Homemade Caramel Sauce
- 1/2 granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons salted butter room temperature, cut into 3 pieces
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lay pretzels on prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Place one Reese’s candy on top of each pretzel. Place the pan in the pre-heated oven for 3-4 minutes to soften the Reese’s, but do NOT melt them.
- Remove from the oven and immediately place 2 peanuts on top of each softened Reese’s. Gently push the peanuts into the Reese's. Put the entire pan in the freezer for 10 minutes to cool.
- Remove from freezer and drizzle the caramel over the top of each piece. Place in the freezer for another 10 minutes to cool the caramel.
- Enjoy! Store in an air-tight container for up to one week.
Homemade Caramel Sauce
- To make the caramel, heat the granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is melted into a thick brown liquid.
- Once the sugar is completely melted, add the butter. Bubbling will occur during this step. Stir until completely melted, about 2 minutes; you may need to use a whisk.
- Slowly add the heavy whipping cream, stirring constantly. More bubbling will occur. Let the caramel boil for 1 minute until it rises in the pan. Remove from heat. Let cool slightly before using.
