Caramel Chocolate Bugles (Thanksgiving Treat)

My Dark Chocolate Caramel Bugles are perfect for your holiday treat list! Caramel, chocolate, and salty bugles are not only a delicious snack but they also look like mini cornucopias which are perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

Caramel Bugles

I haven’t stepped foot in a craft store in almost a year. I had to quit cold turkey because I was spending too much time and money in them and I didn’t have room to keep storing all the crafty things I was going to get around to doing.

Plus, we recently moved and the purge that happened beforehand helped me to realize I had a problem. One that has resurfaced since I walked into the Michaels two weeks ago.

These Dulce de Leche Bugles are my attempt at proving that the craft store visit was for an actual recipe and not one I was dreaming of making in the future.

While I was at the craft store I bought these pretty pumpkin sprinkles which are the whole reason I went in the first place. Oh, and I found these gold leaf tags too. 

No reason to have them or anything I am actually going to use them on but way too cute to pass up. That’s why you see them under the Chocolate Caramel Stuffed Bugles.

Justification of purchase! All bloggers need props:)

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Ingredients Needed

Bugles – There are multiple flavors but stick with the plain ones. They work best.

Dulce de Leche – I prefer the canned dulce de leche you find by the sweetened condensed milk in the store. You can make your own caramel but it needs to be thick. Don’t use caramel sauce as it’s too runny.

Dark Chocolate – I get a container of Baker’s brand dark chocolate dipping chocolate. It’s easy to melt, comes in a cup. Perfect for easy clean up.

What are Bugles?

Have you ever had Bugles? Bugles are a funky corn chip of sorts that is slightly salty but pretty basic.

I haven’t had them in a really long time but when I was younger I used to put them on my fingertips like olives and then eat them.

How to Make Caramel Stuffed Bugles

First: Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Lay the Bugles out in a single layer with plenty of space around them.

Second: Fill the Bugles with the dulce de leche using piping bags, Ziploc bags, or a tiny spoon, and place on the baking sheet.

Third: While you are filling your Bugles, melt your dark chocolate. Once your Bugles are stuffed and the chocolate is melted, dip your Bugles into the chocolate to seal in the dulce de leche.

Fourth: Let cool for a few minutes and then add your sprinkles or pumpkin candies. If you want you can put the baking sheet with all the dipped Bugles in the fridge to speed up the setting time.

When all the chocolate is set, store in an airtight bag or container for a few days.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Tapas Tips & Tricks

• You want the Bugles that are wide open on the end so you can stuff more dulce de leche in them. You might only find about half the Bugles in the bag are open. Save the other ones for eating plain or chop them up into breadcrumbs.
• I placed my dulce de leche in a frosting piping bag, twisted the end up, and then put the bag in a glass of hot water. A crockpot works great for this and keeps it from burning. If you microwave it use half power so you don’t burn it.
• I melted my chocolate in a plastic food storage container in a crockpot with a little water set on low.
• The pumpkin sprinkles are fun but feel free to use any fall-related candies or just fall-colored sprinkles.
• After a few days, the dulce de leche tends to make the Bugles a little soggy so you might want to make them closer to the time you are planning on serving them.
• You can make your own Dulce de Leche by boiling an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk for 4 hours or cooking the unopened can in a crockpot of water overnight.

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Are they gluten free?

They are made from cornmeal and not wheat but might still contain some wheat. Wheat is listed as an allergen on the product label so I would say no they are not.

Can I buy dulce de leche already made?

Yes, I love doing this! Also, using the crockpot trick to make your own sweetened condensed milk caramel is great too.

The creamy caramel dulce de leche, paired with crunchy and salty Bugles, and dipped in bittersweet chocolate are totally addicting! These caramel stuffed Bugles are perfect for snacking on alone or added to a Bugles Snack Mix.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

What a fun craft/treat to make with the kids! If you are busy cooking the entire Thanksgiving meal, you can keep them busy and out of your hair.

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