As the festive season unfolds, one treat stands out, bridging the delightful gap between sweet and savory: chocolate covered pretzel rods. Imagine biting into a salty pretzel rod, only to be greeted by the luscious taste of rich chocolate, with an exhilarating peppermint finish. They make the perfect Christmas candy!
Welcome to the world of peppermint chocolate dipped pretzel rods for Christmas. These are not just your ordinary chocolate-covered pretzels. The harmonious blend of sweet candy coatings, paired with the refreshingly crisp essence of candy canes, takes this classic favorite to unparalleled heights. With every crunch, they offer a symphony of flavors, ensuring they hold a prime spot among favorite Christmas treats. Pair them with chocolate peppermint blossoms and peppermint bark for the perfect holiday treats.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Pretzel Rods
- Flavor: Perfect combination of sweet and salty! Delicious salty chocolate peppermint candy coated pretzel rods.
- Presentation: These cute treats are perfect for adding to a Christmas gift or cookie plate! Wrap in cellophane and tie with ribbon for an easy but beautiful gift.
- Nutrition: Under 350
- Time: Prep time 5 Minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Choosing The Right Ingredients
Creating the perfect chocolate peppermint dipped Christmas pretzel rod is an art. It begins with choosing the best ingredients. Full instructions and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below.
Pretzel rods: Use a fresh package of high quality large pretzel rods. Stale pretzels will ruin this sweet and salty treat! Their crunch and saltiness set the stage for a tantalizing taste experience.
Chocolate coating: When it comes to coating them, dark chocolate chips serve as an excellent choice. Their deep and rich flavor, combined with the salty pretzel rods, offers a harmonious balance. Considering the type of chocolate is crucial. While dark chocolate chips bring depth, semi-sweet chocolate chips add a milder, sweeter touch. Either choice complements the crisp pretzel and refreshing peppermint. To make the dipping process easier and to achieve a glossy finish, a hint of coconut oil blended with your melted chocolate does wonders.
Peppermint coating: Opt for white peppermint melts. Their smooth texture and refreshing flavor complement the robustness of the dark chocolate chips perfectly.
Optional: For those who love a bit of texture, crushed candy cane acts as the perfect embellishment. Not only does it add an extra peppermint kick, but its crunchy texture also contrasts beautifully with the soft chocolate melts.
Lastly, personalization is key. Beyond peppermint, think about your favorite toppings to sprinkle over the pretzel rods. Whether you’re crafting them for a family gathering or a festive gift, ensuring each rod reflects your unique taste will make them all the more special.
Gluten Free Option
To make this gluten free use Snyders gluten free pretzel rods. Make sure your peppermint candy melts are gluten free. The Wilton Candy Cane Melts are NOT gluten free.
Variations
Pretzels: Use different types of pretzels for variety. Try pretzel twists or pretzel snaps.
Chocolate: Dip in dark chocolate before drizzling with white chocolate peppermint candy, for variety.
Instructions
Full step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below. You can print or save to Pinterest for later.
Step 1:
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place your pretzels vertically about ½ inch apart. Set aside.
Step 2:
In a tall glass or measuring cup, candy melts according to package directions. Dip your pretzel into chocolate a little over halfway, or desired amount. Place on parchment and repeat with remaining pretzels.
Step 3:
Place pretzels in the freezer for 5 minutes or fridge for 15 minutes to firm up chocolate. While that firms up, melt your dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals stirring in between. Do not overcook. Place into a squeeze bottle or you can use a spoon or pastry bag.
Step 4:
Drizzle chocolate over pretzel sticks and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Allow to firm in the same way and serve!
How To Melt Chocolate In The Microwave
I recommend using the microwave to melt the dark chocolate chips and the white chocolate candy melts for this recipe in order to save time. This is the easiest way to melt chocolate chips.
- Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Use dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or white chocolate peppermint candy melts.
- Microwave in short intervals of 20-30 seconds, stirring in between with a rubber spatula.
- Monitor closely to ensure the chocolate melts uniformly, preventing overheating. Stop microwaving when almost all the chips are melted. Stir until they’re all melted.
Mint Chocolate Treats
If you love the combination of chocolate and mint don’t miss my favorite Peppermint Bark recipe.
Storing Your Christmas Candy Pretzel Rods
So you’ve just made some chocolate-covered pretzel rods for the first time, and they’re looking so tasty! I bet the whole family can’t wait to get their hands on them. But, what if you’ve made a huge batch and you’re not planning to eat them all at once? No worries, I’ve got you covered.
Alright, here’s the deal:
- First, let your delicious pretzels sit at room temperature until the chocolate is totally set. This will help them stay crunchy and delicious.
- Now, it’s time to store them. The best way? In an airtight container or sealed container. This keeps the air out, so they stay fresh longer. Lay each pretzel on wax paper or parchment paper, making sure they aren’t touching each other. This will stop them from sticking together. You can easily stack layers this way.
- Planning to surprise the family during the holiday season with your awesome Christmas candy skills? These pretzels can be stored for several weeks if you’ve sealed them up right.
Following these steps will ensure that your pretzels taste just as fabulous as the day you made them. So, go ahead and impress everyone with your chocolate-covered pretzel magic!
Gift Wrapping Ideas
Looking to bring joy to friends and family this holiday season? Homemade peppermint chocolate pretzels might just be the way to their hearts. Here’s a quick guide on packaging these fun treats:
- Start with cellophane bags. They’re one of the easiest treats to package. Slide your chocolate pretzels into a cellophane bag, twist the top, and seal with a festive ribbon.
- Thinking of creative wrapping ideas? Add festive sprinkles to your pretzels before the chocolate sets. This not only adds flavor but also makes the treat look even more appealing.
- For a more rustic touch, mason jars are great options. Lay your pretzels at the bottom and decorate the sides of the jars with ribbons or holiday-themed stickers.
- Personalization makes gifts special. Add personal touches by attaching hand-written labels or Christmas tags to your packaged treats. A simple “Made with Love” or “Sweet Holiday Wishes” can elevate your gift.
- Remember, it’s not just about the pretzels. The way you present them can transform them from a simple snack to wonderful gifts.
So, next time you whip up a batch of these delicious peppermint chocolate pretzels, keep these packaging tips in mind. They’re sure to make your homemade gift the star of the season!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find peppermint candy melts?
Peppermint candy melts can usually be found at several locations:
Specialty Baking Stores: Many specialty stores focused on baking and cake decorating carry a variety of candy melts, including peppermint-flavored ones.
Craft Stores: Large craft store chains, like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, often have baking sections where you can find candy melts in different flavors and colors.
Supermarkets: During the holiday season, especially around Christmas, larger supermarkets might carry peppermint candy melts in their baking aisle.
Online Retailers: Websites like Amazon, Wilton (a brand known for its candy melts), and other online baking suppliers frequently stock peppermint candy melts, especially during festive seasons.
Bulk Food Stores: Some bulk food stores may have a selection of candy melts available.
Dipping pretzel rods into gooey chocolate is a culinary delight, but the only problem many encounter is the flat side that forms from setting them on a surface. The trick? Use a sheet pan with a cooling rack on top. After dunking your pretzel into the molten sweetness, let the excess chocolate drip off. Then, place it on the cooling rack. This ensures that the entire decorated pretzel rod remains rounded, sans that pesky flat surface. The gaps in the rack allow for dripping and solidifying without any side touching directly. Happy crafting of your perfectly rounded treats!
Mint Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rod Christmas Candy Recipe
Equipment
- parchment paper or wax paper
- Large Baking Sheet
- microwave safe glass bowl
- squeeze bottle, pastry bag or spoon
- silicone spatula
Ingredients
- 6 oz white peppermint candy melts
- 25 large pretzel rods
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 3-4 tablespoon crushed pepperment 2 candy canes
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place your pretzels vertically about ½ inch apart. Set aside.
- In a tall glass or measuring cup, candy melts according to package directions. Dip your pretzel into chocolate a little over halfway, or desired amount. Place on parchment and repeat with remaining pretzels
- Place pretzels in the freezer for 5 minutes or fridge for 15 minutes to firm up chocolate. While that firms up, melt your dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals stirring in between. Place into a squeeze bottle or you can use a spoon.
- Drizzle chocolate over pretzel sticks and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Allow to firm in the same way and serve!
Nutrition
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