Christmas Toffee Pretzel Bark

By Tyla | Last modified on Dec 6, 2025

Featured in: Desserts

Experience the magic of the holiday season with this delightful Christmas Toffee Pretzel Bark. Combining the irresistible crunch of pretzels with a rich, buttery caramel layer, this festive treat balances sweet and salty flavors perfectly. Melted chocolate, colorful M&M’s, and cheerful sprinkles add a joyful holiday touch to every bite.

This easy-to-make bark not only tastes incredible but also keeps well, making it an ideal choice for gifting or cookie exchanges. Its combination of textures and flavors is sure to become a seasonal favorite for your family and friends.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The perfect blend of crunchy pretzels and chewy caramel for an addictively satisfying texture.
Easy to prepare with simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time.
Decorated with festive chocolate, M&M’s, and sprinkles to brighten up your holiday table.
Keeps well at room temperature, making it excellent for gifting or holiday parties.

Ingredients

Salted butter: 1 cup of full-fat salted butter to create a rich and buttery base for caramel, balancing sweetness with saltiness.
Light brown sugar: 1 cup, packed, providing deep caramel flavor and moisture to the toffee layer.
Pretzel twists: 6 cups of small pretzel twists, roughly half a bag, to cover the baking sheet with a crunchy salty base.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: 12 ounces, used to melt on top for a smooth chocolate layer; milk chocolate can be used for sweeter taste.
Red and green M&M’s: 1 cup, sprinkled on top to add festive colors and chocolate crunch.
Christmas sprinkles: As desired, to add vibrant colors and a festive touch to the bark.
Almond bark: 2 squares (about 2 ounces), melted and divided optionally for drizzling decorative red and green colors.
Red food coloring: Optional gel used to color almond bark for decorative drizzles.
Green food coloring: Optional gel used to color almond bark for a festive look.

Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Set your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or heavy-duty nonstick foil. Spray it generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking, especially if using foil. This preparation ensures easy removal of the bark once it cools.
Arrange pretzels on baking sheet: Evenly spread the small pretzel twists over the prepared baking sheet to form a uniform base. This even layer is essential for consistent caramel coverage and bark thickness.
Make the caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the salted butter over medium heat, then stir in the packed light brown sugar. Stir almost continuously until the mixture bubbles, then allow it to simmer gently for one more minute. This step thickens the caramel slightly, ensuring it coats the pretzels perfectly without becoming too runny.
Pour caramel over pretzels and bake: Immediately pour the hot caramel sauce evenly over the pretzel layer. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 7 minutes, rotating once halfway through for even cooking. This helps the caramel to continue cooking and develop a rich toffee flavor.
Melt and spread chocolate chips: Remove the pan from the oven and quickly sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the caramel-coated pretzels. Use an offset spatula or a knife to gently spread the melting chocolate into a smooth layer covering the surface. If the chocolate resists melting, return the pan to the oven for 1-2 minutes before spreading.
Add festive toppings: While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle colorful red and green M&M’s and Christmas sprinkles evenly over the top. These toppings add texture, color, and festive holiday charm to the bark.
Optional colored almond bark drizzle: If you want to add extra festive flair, melt almond bark in two small microwave-safe bowls and tint one with red and the other with green gel food coloring. Drizzle these colors over the bark using spoons or small piping bags. This creates a fun and visually appealing finish without the need for precision.
Cool and set the bark: Allow the bark to cool completely at room temperature for one to two hours until fully set. Avoid refrigerating if possible to keep the chocolate shiny and prevent condensation. Once set, break into irregular pieces or carefully slice with a sharp knife for neat portions.

You Must Know

This bark keeps best at room temperature for up to two weeks, making it ideal for holiday gifting or cookie exchanges.
Refrigeration is optional but may cause chocolate to dull and become very hard; allow to come to room temperature before serving for best texture.
The recipe’s simplicity means you can easily customize toppings or use milk chocolate for a sweeter bark.

Storage Tips

Store the toffee pretzel bark in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks to maintain its crunch and freshness. Refrigeration or freezing prolongs shelf life but may affect the chocolate’s appearance and texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve broken into bite-sized pieces alongside hot cocoa or mulled wine for a festive treat. It also pairs wonderfully with coffee or holiday cocktails for cozy winter gatherings.

Professional Tips

Use heavy-duty nonstick foil for easy removal; cheap foil can stick and break the bark.
For easier spreading, warm chocolate chips in short bursts in the oven or microwave.
Gel food coloring is preferred over liquid to avoid seizing when coloring almond bark.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pretzel?: Yes, just ensure the pretzels are small and sturdy enough to hold the caramel without becoming soggy. Pretzel twists are ideal for even coverage.
What if I don’t have almond bark?: You can skip the almond bark drizzle or substitute with melted white chocolate for similar decorative effects.
How do I make this gluten-free?: Use gluten-free pretzels instead of regular ones and verify that your chocolate chips and sprinkles are gluten-free.
Can this be made ahead?: Absolutely! The bark stores well at room temperature for a couple of weeks, making it perfect for preparing in advance.
What if my chocolate doesn’t melt well?: Try using chocolate brands known for good melting properties like Trader Joe’s or Hershey’s. You can also briefly return the baking sheet to the oven to soften the chips.
How to store leftovers?: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge if your climate is very warm, though room temperature is preferred.