The Dulce de Leche Pretzel Cookie from Milk Bar features a chewy cookie base loaded with rich, caramelized dulce de leche and sprinkled with crunchy, salty pretzel pieces, delivering a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors with a satisfying crisp and gooey texture.
Equipments
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer (or hand mixer)
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop (optional)
- Wire cooling rack
- Knife (for chopping pretzels if needed)
- Spoon (for dolloping dulce de leche)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dulce de leche
- 2 cups mini pretzel twists
When measuring ingredients for the Dulce de Leche Pretzel Cookie, ensure your butter is at room temperature to achieve the ideal dough consistency. Use packed light brown sugar to maintain the right moisture level for that chewy texture. Chop the mini pretzel twists finely if you prefer smaller, evenly distributed salty crunch throughout the cookie. Dollop the dulce de leche carefully on the cookie dough to create gooey pockets without overpowering the sweetness. Your homemade Dulce de Leche Pretzel Cookie from Milk Bar copycat recipe will deliver the perfect balance of caramel richness and pretzel saltiness every time.
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture; mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in pretzels, reserving some for topping.
- Scoop cookie dough onto prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Use a spoon to dollop a small amount of dulce de leche onto each cookie.
- Swirl dulce de leche slightly into the dough with a knife or toothpick.
- Press reserved pretzels onto the tops of cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers look just set.
- Cool cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Substitution
The Dulce de Leche Pretzel Cookie from Milk Bar copycat menu is best made using room temperature unsalted butter to achieve the ideal chewy texture and rich flavor. If you can't find mini pretzel twists, crushed regular pretzels or pretzel sticks work just as well to provide that essential salty crunch. For the dulce de leche, store-bought caramel sauce can be a substitute, but homemade versions usually offer a deeper, creamier taste. When measuring flour, spoon it lightly into the cup to prevent a dense cookie base as too much flour can dry out the dough. Your careful attention to ingredient quality and measurement precision will ensure a perfect balance between sweet caramel and salty pretzel in every bite.
Tips
Make sure your butter is at room temperature to achieve a light and fluffy creaming process with the sugars, as this affects the cookie's texture. When folding in the mini pretzels, be gentle to avoid breaking them into too small pieces, preserving their crunch. Dollop the dulce de leche carefully and swirl it just enough to create marbled pockets without fully mixing, ensuring gooey caramel flavor bursts in each bite. You should let the cookies cool on the sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack to firm up without losing their chewy, soft centers.
Nutritions
The Dulce de Leche Pretzel Cookie combines ingredients rich in carbohydrates and fats, offering a calorie-dense treat ideal for occasional indulgence. Each cookie provides energy from the all-purpose flour and sugars, while unsalted butter adds saturated fats contributing to a creamy texture. Pretzel pieces add sodium and a crunchy contrast, balancing the sweet caramel flavors from the dulce de leche, which contains sugars and small amounts of protein and fat. If you're mindful of nutrition, your portion size can help manage intake of sugars, fats, and sodium while still enjoying this flavorful dessert.
Storage
Store your Dulce de Leche Pretzel Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their chewy texture and prevent the pretzels from becoming stale. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate the cookies, but allow them to return to room temperature before serving to restore their gooey caramel consistency. For extended storage, freezing the cookies in a sealed container preserves freshness for up to three months, and you can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute mini pretzel twists with crushed pretzel sticks or even rye crackers for a different savory crunch. For a more intense caramel flavor, try swirling in dulce de leche and adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking. If you prefer a softer cookie, reduce the baking time by 1-2 minutes and allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. To enhance texture variation, fold in chopped toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts along with the pretzels.
Allergies
Your Dulce de Leche Pretzel Cookie contains common allergens such as wheat (all-purpose flour), dairy (unsalted butter and dulce de leche), and eggs. The pretzel pieces may also contain gluten and potential cross-contamination with other allergens. If you have sensitivities to any of these ingredients, it's important to exercise caution when consuming this treat.
Why this recipe?
The Dulce de Leche Pretzel Cookie from Milk Bar is loved for its perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, featuring rich dulce de leche caramel paired with crunchy pretzel pieces. The cookie's unique combination of textures--chewy with a satisfying crunch--creates a memorable taste experience that stands out among typical desserts. You would find making a copycat recipe worthwhile as it allows you to recreate this gourmet treat at home, saving money while customizing sweetness and saltiness to your preference. Replicating this popular Milk Bar menu item offers both a fun baking challenge and a chance to impress friends with a signature, crowd-pleasing dessert.