Chocolate and Caramel Covered Pretzel Crunch

Need a last minute gift? Make this! It's easy, takes just a few ingredients and a small amount of time. My father's birthday is Christmas Eve. I never know what to get him. I usually just trot on over to See's and buy a couple of pounds of chocolate covered cherries. Not very creative, I'll admit but he's always thrilled to get them. This year I actually had some time and thought I'd try making some of my own candy. Really how hard could it be? Here are a few tips that will make the process go much easier.

1. If you are planning on dipping any of your treats in melted chocolate do this. Place really hot tap water into a crock pot and turn it on high. Place a heat resistant bowl into the water,making sure no water can seep into the bowl. Let it sit for about 30 minutes while you gather the rest of your ingredients. Melt your chocolate in the micro or on the stove top and transfer it to the bowl in your crock pot. Do not place the lid on the crock pot as steam will collect on the lid and then drip into your chocolate. Water and chocolate do not mix and will cause you to have to throw out the chocolate and start over.

2.If you are planning on using chocolate chips. Buy a really good brand. I use Gitard or Ghirardelli. Cheap chocolate is just that cheap chocolate and will not give you the results you are looking for.

Now for the recipe.

1 bag of pretzels(I'll leave the shape up to you)
1 bag Kraft Caramels(wrappers removed
1 bag milk or white chocolate chips
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Place the pretzels in a large microwavable bowl. Toss them with the oil and heat on high in the micro for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl and toss the pretzels with it to coat them Spread the pretzels out onto a baking sheet that has been lined with a silpat, parchment paper or waxed paper. Melt the caramel in the micro for 1-2 minutes. Drizzle the caramel over the pretzels. Do the same with the chocolate. Let it harden. Break it into pieces. Store in an air tight container.