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pretzels

M&M Christmas Pretzels, a Holiday Tradition

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Countdown to Christmas: M&M Pretzels

Christmas Pretzels with M&Ms

In addition to Christmas cookies, I also make Christmas pretzels, AND I do it the easy way.

It used to be hard to find circle pretzels, but most groceries stores have them now during the holidays. Where to get circle pretzels the rest of the year is the challenge.

Fill circle pretzels with almond bark and plop an M&Min the middle. Years ago it was difficult to find circle pretzels, there was a hunt to find them in the grocery stores.

Now they are everywhere. I used to dip the regular twisted variety, but that takes too much time.

Mint Christmas M&Ms are even available!!

Hershey holiday M&Ms come in red and green and are perfect to give your cookie and candy plates that splash of color.  Simply spoon the melted chocolate into the center of the pretzels.

You can also use a frosting gun to squirt the melted almond bark into the pretzel centers.

M&M’s Mint Chocolate, Christmas Red, Green and White Candies, 9.9oz Bags 2 Pack

Making Christmas Pretzels
Using a Pampered Chef frosting gun

Why Use a Double Boiler?

Many people chose to microwave their chocolate, but I think it’s too risky. It doesn’t take too much heat before the chocolate gets too hot, seize up and become hard.

I don’t get fancy with melting chocolate, almond bark is fine with me and I place the squares on a double boiler on the stove. The chocolate is double boiler melts slower and there is no risk of burning or the chocolate separating.

How to Use a Double Boiler

A double boiler is easy to use. It’s basically a metal bowl or pot placed over a boiling pot of water.  Put about an inch to 2 inches of water in the bottom pan and place your melting chocolate in the top pan.

Turn the stovetop to medium-low and your chocolate melts slowly into perfect liquid chocolate.

I’m off to dip pretzels now, you see, nothing is safe during the Christmas season when it comes to chocolate, I make more than Christmas Pretzels, I make pretzel rods, chocolate-covered cherries, chocolate covered marshmallows, and chocolate-covered apricots.

 
 

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks for Christmas

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In my house during the Christmas season, if it doesn’t move it gets dipped in Chocolate. It’s not Five Golden Rings, but Golden Pretzels, all dipped in chocolate. Chocolate covered pretzel sticks have become a favorite with my kids, they look fancy, they store well, and are easy tasty snacks.

Make Chocolate Covered pretzel rods it fun and easy to dip pretzel sticks in chocolate
Pretzels and almond bark

Let’s Make Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks

How easy is this? Very easy! Just gather a few simple candy making supplies, clear off a space on your table, cover it with waxed paper and melt chocolate. Your imagination is the only thing that limits you. My favorite brand is are Snyders pretzel Rods mainly because they come in a hard plastic container and there are fewer broken pretzels.

Because I dip so much food in chocolate during the holidays I do use almond bark instead of Ghirardelli chocolate. I reserve the gourmet chocolate for chocolate covered cherries. But back to pretzels.

Snyder's of Hanover Old Fashioned Pretzel Rods, 27 OunceSnyder’s of Hanover Old Fashioned Pretzel Rods, 27 OunceGhirardelli Chocolate White Candy Making Wafers, 10 OunceGhirardelli Chocolate White Candy Making Wafers, 10 OunceWilton 1904-1017 Candy Melt Dipping Tool, Set of 3Wilton 1904-1017 Candy Melt Dipping Tool, Set of 3Wilton 415-1971 Dipped Treat Boxes, Black/WhiteWilton 415-1971 Dipped Treat Boxes, Black/White200 Clear Self Sealing Cellophane Pretzel Rod Bags - FDA approval for food packaging. (1200 Clear Self Sealing Cellophane Pretzel Rod Bags – FDA approval for food packaging. (1LI-GELISI 18/8 Stainless Steel Universal Melting Pot, Double Boiler Insert, Double Spouts, Heat-resistant Handle, Flat Bottom, Melted Butter Chocolate Cheese Caramel Homemade Mask =500ML (Silvery)LI-GELISI 18/8 Stainless Steel Universal Melting Pot, Double Boiler Insert, Double Spouts, Heat-resistant Handle, Flat Bottom, Melted Butter Chocolate Cheese Caramel Homemade Mask =500ML (Silvery)

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How to make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

chocolate covered pretzelsThe recipe for chocolate covered pretzels is  really easy and fast. You just need the following.

Stick pretzels, melting chocolate (chocolate and white), a double boiler, and waxed paper ( or parchment paper), tablespoon and fork.

  1. Melt  chocolate or almond bark in a double boiler with 1-2 inches in the bottom pot and the chocolate in the upper bowl.
    • This keeps the chocolate from getting too hot and scalding. The candy melts at a low temperature and stays smooth and creamy. The number one problem people have is getting the chocolate too hot and it gets lumpy. Many instructions will have microwave directions for melting chocolate, but it only works with small amounts as hot spots appear and the chocolate congeals into a mess.
  2. Bring the whole pot to the table and place on a trivet.
  3. Stand the pretzel on end in the pot and spoon chocolate on all sides
  4. Place on waxed paper
  5. Melt white chocolate for drizzle, 1-2 cubes in microwave, 30 seconds at a time and stir after each heating
  6. Dip fork in white chocolate and wave back and forth across the pretzels.

Creative Pretzel Rod Ideas and Toppings

Many people ask how I get the drizzle so neat and even. Easy, all I do is dip a fork in dark or white almond bark and wave it over the dried pretzel rods dipped in chocolate.  and when they are still wet I then sprinkle the toppings. Depending on the holiday depends on how my gourmet pretzel rods will look. If its Halloween, I use spiders and ghost sprinkles, and 4th of July gets red, white and blue.

Shakespeare's Chocolate Assorted Pretzel Rods - 20 countShakespeare’s Chocolate Assorted Pretzel Rods – 20 countShari's Berries - Hand Dipped Caramel Pretzel Rods - 12 Count - Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari’s Berries – Hand Dipped Caramel Pretzel Rods – 12 Count – Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari's Berries - 24 Hand-Dipped Caramel Pretzel Rods - 24 Count - Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari’s Berries – 24 Hand-Dipped Caramel Pretzel Rods – 24 Count – Gourmet Baked Good GiftsWilton 6 Color Christmas Sprinkle MixWilton 6 Color Christmas Sprinkle MixOasis Supply 8-Ounce Patriotic Stars Sprinkle Quins, LargeOasis Supply 8-Ounce Patriotic Stars Sprinkle Quins, LargeWilton 710-2055 Halloween Test Tube Sprinkle Set, AssortedWilton 710-2055 Halloween Test Tube Sprinkle Set, Assorted

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What other pretzel rod ideas do you have? I think it would be a great fundraiser for church or school.

 

Project 365: Days 1-5

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Since I took pictures everyday for 5 days, THEN decided to start this project, I thought I would post the first 5 days all together. I’ll try and update one day at a time next.

Chocolate covered pretzels
Day 1: Kick off to the Christmas Season

Day 2: Peanut Putter Kiss Cookies

Day 3: A tree for my Marine

Day 4: Chili for the Big Game

Day 5: Blackberry Jam Cookies