[this post is brought to you by Rodelle, who I’m partnering with in 2016 to make all sorts of delicious recipes! as always, I only work with products that I 100% love and use in my own kitchen. thank you for your support!]
Today we’re solving all of your holiday snacking needs.
At first glance these pretzels look like ordinary pretzels—plain and simple. But trust me, they are anything but ordinary.
Confession time: I don’t usually choose pretzels as a snack. They’ve always felt a bit boring to me compared to something like tortilla chips and guacamole. That said, my son Max absolutely loves them—he’ll happily snack on pretzels every day.
However, there is a certain version of pretzels that makes me lose all self-control.
If you follow my holiday baking posts, you know that Lacy and I make whiskey pretzels every year. A friend shared the recipe with us years ago and we’ve been making them ever since. They’re dangerously addictive—and it’s a miracle if anyone else ends up with any because we keep snacking right off the baking sheet.
Everyone who tries them expects plain pretzels and then they’re surprised by the flavor. My mom goes crazy for them each year, and they always disappear fast.
For this batch I changed the recipe just a little. The pretzels get a coating made from melted butter, brown sugar and a mix of spices—and of course, I couldn’t resist adding vanilla.
I use Rodelle vanilla bean paste for this. It adds a subtle sweetness and a warm, aromatic depth that elevates the snack without overpowering it. I’ve used quite a few bottles this year; it’s become a staple in my spice cabinet.
The vanilla paste lends a gentle warmth that complements the smoky paprika, the garlic, and a hint of crushed red pepper. The result is sweet, salty, smoky and cozy all at once. These are fantastic on a cheese board alongside roasted red peppers, or served as a casual party snack.
They also make a lovely homemade gift: pack them in mason jars or resealable bags and dress them up for a hostess present. They’re perfect with cocktails, beer, wine—or whiskey, naturally.
Smoky Vanilla Bourbon Pretzels
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Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) bag mini pretzel twists
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Rodelle vanilla bean paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spread the pretzels evenly—don’t layer them.
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In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, bourbon, brown sugar, vanilla paste, smoked paprika, garlic powder and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour the mixture over the pretzels and use your hands to toss everything together until well coated. Bake for 15 minutes, toss, then bake 10 minutes more. Remove and let cool completely on the sheets. Store in mason jars, resealable containers or bags—great for gifting.
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When you want pretzels for dinner, these are the ones to reach for.