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Mini Trifles with Caramel and Pretzel

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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!

Three small cups of Caramel Pretzel Mini Trifles made with whipped cream topped with chocolate candies.

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

  • Trifles can and should be made ahead of time which means that you won’t have to worry about dessert when your guests are set to arrive.
  • The individual size makes these super easy to serve at a party. These mini cups are perfect for serving.
  • Making these mini trifles puts you in control of how many servings you get out of each ingredient. Adding a little extra whipped cream won’t throw off the balance of flavors which is great!
  • The simple layering technique creates a pretty-looking treat that couldn’t be easier to make. They don’t require any special skills which I love in a delicious dessert.

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

Ingredients for making mini trifles in individual bowls.
  • 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.

  • Save time – If you want to cut down prep time even more, use ready-made vanilla pudding and whipped cream.
  • Chocolate – you can use chocolate pudding if you prefer. It also goes really well with caramel and pretzels.
  • Jazz them up – Because this is layered, you can add in whatever other ingredients you think would pair well with caramel and pretzels. Crushed-up toffee pieces, nuts, or chocolate chips would be a great idea to add between layers.
  • Bulk it up – Want to add even more decadence? Add chopped brownies or chocolate cake!
  • Flavor it – Want to add even more flavor? Use a flavored whipped cream like my beer whipped cream or Cherry Fun Dip Whipped Cream.

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list.

How to make caramel pretzel mini trifles

Vanilla pudding being made in a white bowl.
Whisk used to make homemade whipped cream for 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.

Crushed pretzels in a plastic bag with a meat tenderizer being used to crush them.

Step 3

Add pretzels to a bag and crush with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin.

Whipped cream and vanilla pudding inside separate piping bags.

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!

A mini trifle with layers of vanilla pudding, caramel, pretzels and whipped cream in a small glass.
A serving cup of Caramel Pretzel Mini Trifles with chocolate candy topping and some pretzels on the side.

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:

Should a trifle be made the night before?

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. 

When should I eat a trifle?

They’re ideal to eat at the end of any meal, but you can enjoy this tasty treat any time you want. 

How long does trifle last?

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.

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Three cups of Caramel Pretzel Mini Trifles.

Caramel Pretzel Mini Trifles Recipe

These mini caramel trifles with caramel and pretzel 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, so you can wow your guests without breaking a sweat!
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 203kcal
Servings: 13 mini cups

Equipment

  • 1 electric mixer
  • 2 Piping bags
  • 13 serving cups
  • 1 Mixing bowl

Ingredients

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.

Notes

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.
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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 346IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg
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