Salted Caramel Pretzels (from Alice Eats!)
I feel like this a lot. A ginormous blonde girl growing awkwardly and taking altogether too much space in whatever room I happen to be in, all hunched and elbowy, sometimes with a bottle in her hand. (Which may or may not account for said feelings of ginormity.)
I know you’re already acquainted with Alice, but here’s a new, edible incarnation of the story – Alice Eats: the Wonderland Cookbook. It’s here!
I feel like this a lot too.
We arrived in a very foggy Vancouver tonight to do a little book tour for Alice Eats, which has finally FINALLY arrived, all beautifully printed and bound (in Canada!) and brilliantly illustrated and designed by the fantastically talented Pierre A. Lamielle. If you haven’t heard, it’s the story of Alice in Wonderland in its entirety (think you know it? I did too – it’s a good read) along with recipes inspired by the storyline – plenty of crumpets and scones and jam tarts, but also juicy little homemade jellies, and bacon and egg sandwiches, and sunken chocolate cake with berry fool, and salted caramel dipped pretzel sticks, and really everything that makes an afternoon tea divine. (Tea optional.)
Because our schedule is so spread out, with early morning shows and evening demos, I brought W along for a Vancouver adventure; we’re going to visit the aquarium and go exploring, likely hit a beach and eat a few good things along the way. Vancouver is all too often a pit stop on the way to Tofino, so I’m happy to be hanging out until Friday and doing a few shows in between. And we decided to tweet it all, and post a summary of our days here, sort of a live play by play via social media, if you will. Is that a thing? Let’s say it’s a thing. Stay tuned here, on Twitter and Facebook. Hilarity may ensue.
If you’re watching, I’ll warn you I look like a lopsided chipmunk – dental issues. Going on Monday. Meanwhile I’m puffy – just enough for people to wonder what’s up with my face.
I’ll leave you with some mini caramel-dipped pretzel sticks – like those big ones you get at Starbucks, only teeny enough to nibble. Crunchy-chewy-salty-sweet-ohyes.
HEY! I should give away some copies, yes? (I have more truly awesome stuff for you coming soon, too. Really.) While we’re in Vancouver, leave a comment here and I’ll draw a book a day until Friday!
Alice’s Salted Caramel Teardrops
AuthorJulieIn a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the syrup, sugar, salt and lemon juice over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture begins to simmer around the edges. At this point stop stirring – you can swirl the pan as the temperature rises.
Cook uncovered, swirling the pan occasionally, until the mixture reaches 305°F on a candy thermometer. Meanwhile, warm the cream in a small saucepan.
When the sugar mixture reaches 305°F, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the butter. Gradually stir in the hot cream; it will bubble up and steam, so be careful. It will clump up as some of the carmel solidifies – don’t worry about it. Return the pan to the heat and cook, stirring occasionally at the beginning and then more frequently at the end, for about 15 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth and reaches 260°F on the candy thermometer.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Set it aside for 5 minutes or so, until it thickens to the texture of thick molasses. Dip each pretzel stick a third to halfway deep, swirling to catch drips and coat the end of each pretzel, then set on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let sit until cool. If the caramel thickens to the point where you can’t dip the pretzels anymore, warm it again over low heat. If you like, shape the soft caramel around the end of each pretzel when it cools enough to handle, but is still pliable.
Ingredients
Directions
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the syrup, sugar, salt and lemon juice over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture begins to simmer around the edges. At this point stop stirring – you can swirl the pan as the temperature rises.
Cook uncovered, swirling the pan occasionally, until the mixture reaches 305°F on a candy thermometer. Meanwhile, warm the cream in a small saucepan.
When the sugar mixture reaches 305°F, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the butter. Gradually stir in the hot cream; it will bubble up and steam, so be careful. It will clump up as some of the carmel solidifies – don’t worry about it. Return the pan to the heat and cook, stirring occasionally at the beginning and then more frequently at the end, for about 15 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth and reaches 260°F on the candy thermometer.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Set it aside for 5 minutes or so, until it thickens to the texture of thick molasses. Dip each pretzel stick a third to halfway deep, swirling to catch drips and coat the end of each pretzel, then set on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let sit until cool. If the caramel thickens to the point where you can’t dip the pretzels anymore, warm it again over low heat. If you like, shape the soft caramel around the end of each pretzel when it cools enough to handle, but is still pliable.
How wonderful that you are coming to our area! I hope the weather is nice for you. I have loved my Spilling the Beans cookbook so much, I’ve used it like crazy. Don’t let the fog scare you off, but you must visit the Stanley Park Ghost train for fun!
Welcome to Vancouver! I hope you enjoy your stay. I can’t wait to try these. Thank you!
This book is awesome! Would love to win one for my sister!
Woah! I needs to gete a candy thermometer!
With Peirre’s illustrations and your fantastic recipes, this is going to be one great book. I’d love to have a copy for my cookbook library.
Good luck in Vancouver!
Why do I feel like I’m 10 again and want to spend the day reading in bed??
Hope you are enjoying foggy Vancouver. At least you don’t have to shovel fog!! I don’t like driving in it but it doesn’t last forever. I lived in Northern BC for many years and do not miss the snow.
Would love a copy of the cookbook although I’m not allowed to buy any more cookbooks until I start using them…really enjoy reading them more then cooking.
Congrats on the book – I am looking forward to getting my hands on it, one way or another 🙂 Have fun in Vancouver, W would probably love Science World if you have a spare hour or two. Hope to see you sometime soon!
Hey Julie,
CANNOT wait to get my hands on a copy of this one!!!! Love you, love your books and LOVE the illustrations in this one!!!Have fun in Van!!!
Recipes and a story all in one. What a marvellous idea.
What a brilliant idea for a cookbook! As the auntie of a 6 year old girl who adores her tea parties, I know this book will feature in many of our future menu planning sessions. Looking forward to cooking our way through a magical story.
Your creativity extends well beyond cooking. I only just started following you and have very much enjoyed perusing thru your recipes. I have tried several and while they may not look as pretty as yours do they are very tasty just the same! I am so glad you are here in Vancouver while the weather is so
beautiful. Fall is an excellent time of year to visit. (Yes it is sunny and warm further out in the valley).
Looks awesome Julie- congrats! Excited to try some recipes with my son as he loves to bake!! (You’re 2 min banana bread recipe is a staple in our house!)
Oops meant to write *your* in the above post. It would drive me crazy if I didn’t try to fix that! 😉
I have no memory of these appearing in Alice – now I’ll have to read it again! Or, even better, get my mitts on a copy of this book!
I love your blog and would be thrilled to win a copy of your book!
Yay! I wondered what the status of the cookbook is! (Do you ever sleep, Julie? You’re like a rock star ;)!). My children and I would love a copy!
What a brilliant idea! so teeny tiny they’ll be guilt free.
Those pretzels look dangerous. And I identified with your analogy between you and Alice. Me, too.
Yeah! Can’t wait to see it ( and you). Can I get a signed copy when you’re in Tough City?
Congrats on the book tour! Have a great time! Would LOVE a copy of Alice eats. 🙂
I’ve been looking for a tea party cook book! And I can’t wait to make these pretzels 🙂
Salt….caramel…,chocolate HEAVEN! I think I need these for breakfast. Nope, I know I need these. Breakfast if champions.
The pictures look gorgeous! I want to see the whole thing!
Congrats! Wish I had the book already for book club tomorrow night… Wonder what type of gluten free ‘stick’ I can use vs. pretzels – I would hate to miss out on this treat.
Amazing! The recipes will be fantastic (as yours always are) and the illustrations are great!
Have fun in Vancouver! Those pretzels look amazing!
Congratulations!!! So excited to see this book! Two of my favorite people collaborating – couldn’t ask for better!
I’m so excited for this book! I have wanted it since you first started talking about it. Have fun in Van and please pick me!
This book looks (and sounds!) fantastic! My daughter and I love to bake together and I think this would make a great gift for her- stories plus recipes- it doesn’t get any better than that!
I borrowed your cookie book from the local public library. Love it! We’ll be using the biscotti recipes for a cd release that our church is hosting. I’d love to have a copy of the Alice book to give my niece for Christmas.
What a cool book. I’d love a chance to win one. Hope you are having fun in Vancouver. Vancouver is one of my favourite places to visit.
The book sounds awesome! I would love to get a copy. I look forward to trying out the recipes. Congratulations!
What a wonderful idea for a book! I must get my hands on a copy.
Congrats on the new book. I’d love to have a copy for my Julie collection. Enjoy Vancouver.
Looks delicious.
What a neat idea for a cookbook! I love this!
Can we order through you, or just go directly to Whitecap/Chapters? Christmas is coming!
Sounds like a good snack for a Halloween party!
Sounds like a great adventure! Have fun! Looking forward to checking out Alice’s culinary offerings.
I can’t wait to try these. It’s a good excuse to use the candy thermometer I bought years ago and haven’t found the time to use!
What a charming idea for a book! I’ve read some good reviews on it and have been looking for it in the local bookstores.
Your recipes are always fantastic and Pierre’s illustrations are beautiful. If I don’t win a copy, I will be purchasing anyway!
Such a creative idea and beautiful looking book. My plan is to purchase the book anyway but winning it would be a bonus! Good luck and congrats.
Looks great! Congratulations on the book…
I would love to win this cookbook. It looks gorgeous!
One of my daughter’s favourites as a child! Would give her this cookbook as a gift. Congratulations!
the pictures are amazing.
Sweet! Feel Better!
OH! Pick Me! I’ve been fighting the urge to start my Christmas Baking and I feel like this book the ‘sign’ that that I’ve been waiting for saying it’s okay to get started!
So looking forward to this book.
I love Alice! I love Julie! And I love food! What could be better? I also have some darling nieces and nephews who will be getting this book for Christmas!
Oooooooh, I’d love to win this book.
The looks great, can’t wait to try a few new recipes from it!
Wow Julie! You sure have a lot of followers now – lots of comments!
I too love “spilling the beans” and am looking forward to your new book!
Alice Eats, what a great idea for a book! I would love to win a copy of my very own! Thanks Julie!!
With kind regards
Kate
Wow, that looks great. I’m supposed to be making snacks for the Halloween Dance on Friday, I might just make these. They would be fun all packaged up in those little treat bags, wouldn’t they? Mmmm.
Alice Eats looks so fun. What a great idea!
Sounds like a book to get for my grandchildren, then we could have more fun in the kitchen making “tea”
Hey! we are in the same city at the same time (I’m normally in China)- love the idea of art and food together- wish I could take time off work to see you at your book events. Best of luck.
Julie, I share your sentiments about feeling like a ginormous blonde girl taking up altogether too much space, but then I remind myself that this means there is more room for delicious treats like salted caramel pretzels and all is right with the world again! What an inventive and inspired culinary adventure this book seems to be! I can’t wait to read and try the recipes!
YUM! It is like mini Starbucks caramel pretzles, but you can eat like a hundred because they are mini and you made them at home!
I know how you feel – but with red hair instead 🙂 These look great – I may have to make them for our halloween party! I can’t wait to see this book & I’m so curious about the ginger carrot sandwiches you mentioned on twitter!!
mmmm those look lovely! I would love a book so that I can remember to make them!
I used to love Alice, one of my very first favourite books, had many items in an Alice collection…then I learned he was a pedophile. I couldn’t possibly enjoy anything Alice again.
I just bought some “seconds” at Oliver’s candies in Inglewood, but now I can see how easy it is to make my own. Thanks Julie.
I love Alice!
Is it embarrassing to admit I have never read Alice in Wonderland? I’m pretty sure I have never even seen a movie version of this classic. No, I do not live under a rock:) I like the idea of a cookbook/storybook, and the illustrations look beautiful. Happy travels!
Wow. Have fun in Vancouver with your boy!
I didn’t know about this book and I don’t think I ever read the original story.
Sounds like a great Christmas gift idea (for myself and others!).
That cook book looks beyond adorable! I hope you enjoy Vancouver, and that the weather isn’t too dreary!
I miss Pierre! I have his other book and was every excited to see this on your site today!
Yippee! Another cook book. Starting to think I need more shelving in the kitchen. These are a great Christmas treat idea.
This looks so fun! Alice has always been one if my favorites!!
Those look so yummy! If this recipe is any indication of the rest of the book, it will be amazing!
what a great idea for a book. would love to shelve it beside my spilling the beans.
Those pretzels look delish!!! I know if I started eating them I wouldn’t be able to stop 🙂 Congratulations Julie on your cook book !
I wish I could come to your show but I’m working. I hope the fog lifts soon where you are – it burned off earlier today in Surrey than it has for more than a week! Sure would love to win your book! I bought my first one of yours (Grazing) after seeing you make (and tasting!) Chickpea Cookies at a show in Vancouver. Yum! It must have been awhile ago ’cause you were pregnant!
Thanks for bringing some brightness to foggy Vancouver! W might like Science World too. Congrats on the cookbook!
Can’t wait to try these. If they are as addicting as dipping pretzels in chocolate then they will be a hit in my house for sure! Great for christmas (and for gifts)! 🙂
Congrats on this new book. It sounds fantastic!
Man, even if I don’t win this here, I’m certainly going to be getting one — for me and for a certain also-loves-to-cook-and-eat-and-read niece!
This book looks so whimsical and cute, I can’t wait to try the recipes with my daughter. Thanks
Oh, what an adorable book! I would absolutely love to win it!
How far you have come since catering for your parents as a young teenager. I am delighted you are doing so well Julie.
Congrats on the new book. The images are beautiful as I am sure the recipes are as well. Can’t wait to try it out!
Say hello to Vancouver fo me!! My hometown…Looking forward to the ALice cookbook. Love the idea and can hardly wait to check it out! Pick me! PIck me! Pick me? Please.
Oh how I’d love to have this cute cookbook, with such fun graphics inside. And of course, the recipes! Have fun in Vancouver, my old hometown!
Awesome idea for a book!
What a great way to bring a story to life!
What a beautiful book! I can’t wait to get my copy.
Pick me pick me!!! Seriously I have been a fan for a long time.
Ah, Vancouver… any chance you’ll be in Victoria??
Book! Yes, please! I’ve been waiting for this cookbook since you first announced it was in the works. It looks perfect for baking experiments with my nieces. They already love to cook, and are amazing artists and adventurers (in their minds).
What a delightful concept for a book! I can’t wait to see it. Also, sunken chocolate cake with homemade berry fool?!? Yum! Can’t wait to try it!
Enjoy your trip! Hope the beautiful weather holds out for you!
I’ll be dipping my pretzel teardrops in melted chocolate…..
Oh my, what an interesting looking book! Looks super fun!
Julie, I love the idea of combining literature and food. That is why my book club is so food focused! Some of your recipes have already made appearances at our meetings :-}
Would love to give this book to my daughter (avid reader) who loves ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and your recipes! We try out your recipes all the time and love them. Definitely trying all the recipes in “Swerve’ magazine from ‘Alice Eats’.
I see some potential for adding some great treats to our annual chocolate making party. Perhaps we need to branch out a bit.
Love, love, love!!!
There’s just something so magical about quirky little cookbooks…whimsy isn’t often a word that one can apply to the culinary arts. A collaboration between you and Pierre is terrific. Much success! It will surely be a Christmas hit…hope I win a copy so that I can make some of the recipes and also give the book away as my secret exchange present at “Our Secret Bookclub”!
I’d love to add this to the cookbook collection AND share in our family Christmas book exchange! Does the fact that my Mom’s name is Alice increase my odds?!
Looking forward to seeing what you and Pierre have put together!
As an alice myself, I can tell this book is a must for my collection!
Any chance you’ll leave Canada and come to CA for a book tour stop??
This looks brilliant! Love it! So creative!
Great idea. I thought Alice was a children’s book – here it is a cookbook – and my son is studying it in a University philosophy – type course. It has greater depth than I realized!
The book looks great!
Salty and sweet! My favorite combination.
I’d love a copy. I’d also like to see you on the Island 😉
Can’t wait to take a peek through this cookbook!
Congrats on your new book, and I hope you and our son have a great time together.
welcome to Fogcouver! What a unique idea for a cookbook – i’m definitely going to have to check it out!
Hey if you get over to Victoria, I’d love to meet you 🙂
I love the fog, we were in Vancouver on the weekend, looked incredible flying over it. Also really like your recipes, hope I win the cookbook!
Enjoy foggy Vancouver!
Can’t wait to check out your new book. I use your spilling the beans book often!
What a great looking book! And this recipe looks delicious. Fingers crossed that I win.
Well, you had me at caramel! I’m in.
the message above from “t” that was supposed to be from me but the computer glitched
What a cool looking book!
Congratulations!!!
I’d be thrilled to win a copy. I have all of your other cookbooks and they are all wonderful!
The sneak peek looks great and I would love to win a copy.
The book looks amazing! I am sure my 4 year old daughter would love the combination of recipes and beautiful illustrations!
Love it!
Whu??? Canadian Starbucks have caramel-dunked pretzels??? What gives??
Guess I’ll just have to make my own. Like this. (And you know we’d SO use Alice Eats…. 🙂
Maybe a little drizzle of chocolate too!
Yum – I would love a book.
I would love to win your cookbook! Love all your recipes Julie!
Waking up to the sound of fog horns is one of the things we love about living on the West Coast.
I would love to win a copy of this book! I really enjoy reading your blog! Great recipes!
Would love a copy of this book! The illustrations are fantastic and fantastical! Can’t wait to see how you incorporated your recipes into the story.
I like the recipe and would love to win the book!
What a great idea for pretzels! Would love this!
Any plans for a book signing in Calgary?
Really looking forward to going through your new cookbook!
Pick me – I enjoy your recipes and your humour and would love to win a copy of your latest book.
What a beautiful book, can’t wait to see it!
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited for you and Pierre about Alice. And have fun in Vancouver!
How wonderful! Will you also be making your way up to Edmonton?
Welcome to Vancouver! Love your writing!
Rose
I love your recipes-enjoy reading about all your adventures–such a great webiste
What an awesome book-would love to enjoy it on my coffee table-and for everyone who stops buy-for coffee to pick it up-and read it.
Thanks for bringing great food-to my home
Helena
I love Aclice and wonderland and your cooking, and I can’t wait to get my ands on this book. I hope to win but if not it is going on my Christmas list. Welcome back to Vancouver, I hope the sun stays out for you.
Congrats on the book and the success of your tour!
Meanwhile, you had my mouth watering with this recipe which inspired me to make a brittle from gluten-free pretzels, nuts and chocolate. I’ll have to pick up your book as you are an inspiration! Thanks.
I saw Alice eats on global news few days ago, I instantly knew this is going to be a real hit .
Love the illustration of the book and the demonstration live on noon news hour,. It’s a book for kids and mommys to have cookout together.
Please let me know where I can buy a copy of the book, I live in Burnaby , B.C.
Daksha
oh my gosh Julie!
Congrats!
I know I’m so behind the times, but my goodness, a published author how wonderful is that.
Cheers to you.
xoxo
Can’t wait to add this one to my collection!
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