Mini Trifles with Caramel and Pretzel
These mini trifles with caramel and pretzels offer salty-sweet goodness in every spoonful! Crunchy, creamy and fluffy, this layered dessert will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s the perfect individual-sized treat that you can make ahead without breaking a sweat! Pair them with Chocolate Pretzel Donuts!

You’ll Love This Caramel Pretzel Mini Trifles
Mini Trifles are not only a delicious dessert to share with others but are easy for beginners to make at home.
With caramel and pretzel, this version gives you that sweet and salty combination I’m guessing you love as much as I do. (These salted caramel brownie cookies are also a must-try!
Why you’ll love this recipe
If this caramel pretzel mini trifles recipe sounds like something you would love, save this Pumpkin Trifle Recipe with Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins for later!
While this recipe is for caramel and pretzel trifle, you can follow the same steps to make mini trifles with any flavor combination you prefer.
Ingredients
- Instant vanilla pudding mix – using instant pudding helps cut down prep time!
- Mini pretzels – even though you’ll be crushing them up, the mini pretzels give you the best flavor in my opinion.
- Caramel sauce – there are many great caramel sauces that you can buy at the store, but if you have a favorite homemade recipe, feel free to use that.
- Chocolate caramel candies – I used Rolo’s but any chocolate caramel candy would work. You can also omit this, as I just used it as a decoration to finish off the mini trifles.
Substitutions and variations
Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list.
How to make caramel pretzel mini trifles
Step 1
Following the package instructions, add the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk together. Whisk for five minutes. Set the pudding aside in the refrigerator to chill.
Step 2
Combine heavy whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, mix at medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
Step 3
Add pretzels to a bag and crush with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin.
Step 4
(Optional) Put the pudding and whipped cream into separate piping bags.
If you don’t want to use piping bags simply spoon in each layer. The finished look may not be as clean but the taste of these mini trifles will still be delicious!
Step 5
Add a layer of crushed pretzels to the bottom of small glass or bowl you want to serve them in.
Add a small layer of caramel then pudding, and whipped cream.
Add another layer of crushed pretzels and repeat with the other layers until each cup is full.
Top with a chocolate caramel candy or a drizzle of caramel and flakey sea salt, if desired.
Step 6
Cover and refrigerate before serving.
TIPS
- Make sure that your layers aren’t too thick. You’ll be using small serving glasses and you want at least two layers of each ingredient in the finished mini trifles.
- Open the bag of pretzels just when you’re about to use them to retain the crunchiness. Stale pretzels won’t give this the same texture.
- Chilling the trifles with caramel for at least an hour not only helps firm up the layers but it helps the flavor meld better, too.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Making trifles the night before is ideal for a regular trifle since it allows the flavors to meld together overnight and will give you a richer, more decadent dessert.
However, since we’re using pretzels, it’s best to put the trifle together the day you serve it and then refrigerate it. That way, the pretzels won’t get too soggy in the process.
They’re ideal to eat at the end of any meal, but you can enjoy this tasty treat any time you want.
A trifle will last for 2-3 days if stored correctly.
If you have any leftover desserts, keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge. It’s best if you can keep each layer stored separately and layer the desserts as you need them to keep their textures perfect.
Caramel Pretzel Mini Trifles Recipe
Equipment
- 1 electric mixer
- 2 Piping bags
- 13 serving cups
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- 3.4 oz. Instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups milk cold
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream cold
- 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups pretzels, crushed
- 8 ounces Caramel sauce
- 1 bag chocolate caramel candies, optional
Instructions
- Following the instructions for the instant pudding, (it will likely say to mix the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk together. Whisk the mixture for five minutes. Set pudding aside in the refrigerator to chill.)
- Combine heavy whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on med-high speed until soft peaks form.
- Add pretzels to a bag and crush with a rolling pin or meat tenderizer.
- (Optional) Add the pudding and whipped cream into separate piping bags to make layering a little cleaner.
- Add a layer of crushed pretzels to the bottom of small glass or bowl you want to serve them in. Add a small layer of caramel then pudding, and whipped cream. Add another layer of crushed pretzels and repeat with the other layers until each cup is full.
- Top each mini trifle with a chocolate caramel candy, if desired.
- Store covered in a refrigerator before serving.