Pretzel & Caramel Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Valentine's Day is coming up.  How do you feel about that one? I think back to when I was first dating (and married to Hubs) and I loved Valentines - I thought it was sweet.  Prior to Hubs, when I was single, I was pretty salty about the whole thing.  As a Catholic, I know that the historical St. Valentine has absolutely nothing to do with this holiday.

Now, nearly 17 years in?  I’m fairly indifferent.  I absolutely loathe going to an overly crowded restaurant on Valentines, so we usually celebrate at home.  Most often it’s for the kids.  When they were younger I’d make heart shaped everything.  Now that they're older, this man-house demands steak.

I made these cookies to represent those mixed feelings with these yummy salty-sweet chocolate pretzel cookies.  With these, there’s no reason to tke a side, just enjoy.

Sunday Funday

Salty-Sweet for Valentines Day

• Pretzel & Caramel Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Crispy Crunchy Vegan Cheat Fries by Sneha’s Recipe
• Potato Chip-Crusted Chocolate Tart by Culinary Cam
• Oven Roasted Honey Chilli Nuts by The Mad Scientist Kitchen
• Peanut Butter and Pretzel Crispy Treats by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Gluten-Free Sweet & Salty Baked Spicy Rice Chex by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice

Recipe note:

I am able to find “caramel bits” locally.  If these are not available, take wrapped caramels and cut them into small pieces, about the size of a regular sized chocolate chip.

Pretzel & Caramel Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Adapted from The Frugal Girls

1 (15.25 ounce) box chocolate cake mix

2 eggs

4 tablespoons butter, melted

½ cup caramel bits

½ cup pretzels, broken

¼ cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Place cake mix, eggs, and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Mix until completely combined.  Stir in the caramel bits, pretzels, and chocolate chips.

Use a 2-tablespoons scoop to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking mats.  Add a whole pretzel to the top, if desired.  Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned.

Cool on the pans for a few minutes before moving to wire racks to cool completely