Festive Dipped Pretzels...A Christmas Treat!

These pretzels not only taste delicious, they look fancy and festive, too. Simple to make, and fairly inexpensive, they make a great addition to any Christmas goodie basket.

What You'll Need:

Long salted pretzel rods

Wilton Milk Chocolate Candy Melts

Wilton Dark Chocolate Candy Melts

Wilton Vanilla Candy Melts

Chopped walnuts

Sliced almonds, chopped (Yes, sliced AND chopped!)

Red and green candy sprinkles

Crushed candy cane

Wax Paper

Wooden toothpicks

Note: When purchasing pretzel rods, check the bags carefully. I have averaged only about a dozen intact pretzels from an entire bag. Make sure that not too many are broken.

Melt candy melts in three separate dishes. To melt, microwave on defrost for two minutes, and then microwave on high for three minutes. To keep from hardening after melting, stir frequently.

Line a large cookie sheet or tray with wax paper.

Create an assembly line of nuts, sprinkles, and crushed candy cane.

Dip approximately 3 inches of the pretzel rod in either the milk or dark chocolate. A spreader or butter knife is sometimes useful in evenly distributing the chocolate.

Sprinkle combinations of nuts and candy onto the chocolate. Always remember that less is more! A few sprinkles, nuts, and candy cane, whether by themselves or in any combination can become overwhelming when heavily coating the pretzel.

Another Variation:

Dip pretzel rod in dark chocolate. Let dry. With a wooden toothpick, drizzle milk chocolate in little designs across the pretzel, over the dark chocolate. Let dry. Repeat with the melted vanilla candy. These are very attractive, and are sold in candy stores for oodles of money! You can make these for pennies each.

Another Variation:

Dip pretzel rod in melted vanilla candy. Let dry. Drizzle with dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy cane.

These coated pretzels harden best in the refrigerator, but will harden at room temperature if away from heat.

To Store:

I swear by storing these in a Rubbermaid or Tupperware container. Lay flat, and layer with sheets of wax paper.

As Gifts:

Wrap pretzel rods in clear cellophane, which may be purchased in craft and restaurant supply stores. Tie with red or green curling ribbon or Christmas plaid wire ribbon. Insert into a Christmas mug.

Purchase a clear cylinder-style straw dispenser. Fill with coated pretzel rods. Tie a ribbon around dispenser. Put in a basket accompanied by a package of drinking straws for using when pretzels are gone.

Buy an inexpensive wide-mouthed vase. Fill with cellophane-wrapped coated pretzel rods. Wrap with a wide wire ribbon. Attach a gift certificate for a fresh floral bouquet from a flower shop or grocery store.

Hopefully these pretzels will last long enough in your house to actually give as gifts. Years of experience have taught me to hide some as soon as they're made!