Introduction: Pumpkin Pretzels
It's Fall, y'all! Fall also equates to pumpkins in my book, so I thought I'd post these cute little pretzel pumpkins today.
Aren't they cute?! Couldn't be easier either- melt chocolate, color orange, dunk pretzel. OK, there are a few more steps, but really, it's easy! I love pretzels and chocolate together too- sweet and salty is a great combination.
See more recipes like this on my blog- www.ButterwithaSideofBread.com
Step 1: Ingredients
You'll need:
1 bag mini pretzels {you won't use the whole bag, only about 1/4}
1 bag M&M's candy, needing only the green ones {fun separating activity for kids!}
orange food coloring, I used about 1/8th tsp of Wilton's gel colors
1 bag White Chocolate chips, melted slowly {directions below}
1 TBSP shortening, to thin out chocolate
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate- Go Slowly!
First step is to melt the chocolate. I used 10 oz of baking chocolate squares, but you can use a bag of white chocolate chips- the process is still the same. Before you even put it in the microwave, add about 1 TBSP shortening. You need to thin out the chocolate prior to dunking the pretzels or else the chocolate will be so thick you won't even be able to tell it's a pretzel under there! Shortening is the ONLY thing that will do this- don't add water, butter, etc. Shortening!
Go slowly! White chocolate seizes easily, and you don't want to coat your pretzels with grainy chocolate, right? Go slowly and stir minimally. I put mine on for 1 minute, stirred gently, then put it in for an additional minute. When I took it out, the chocolate still looked solid. It wasn't! Add your orange coloring and stir gently, until it's nice and smooth.
Step 3: Dunk Pretzel & Add the "Stem" M&M
I've tested out a few ways to coat pretzels in chocolate and none of them really work as well as simply using your fingers. So I took a picture above of my elaborate technique.
Once you've dunked your pretzel, adding a nice coating, lay it out on a piece of wax paper. While it's still wet, take a green M&M and set it in the crook of the pretzel, on it's side. See? Now it's a cute little green stem.
Step 4: Voila! Pumpkin Pretzels!
If you see a few bare spots on your pretzels, while they're still wet, dab some more chocolate on them using your finger. Now just let them dry and cool for an hour or so. Or if you're impatient like me, stick the tray in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Done!
I love how these end up looking like Jack-O-Lanterns! See the little face? Eyes? Mouth? Am I just dreaming this up?
Feel free to color another 2 oz of white chocolate green and melt in a plastic baggie. Squish it around to spread the green, then add some curly stem pieces. I did a few then deemed it too much work...
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18 Comments
8 years ago
I just made these for my co-workers tomorrow. We're having a Halloween potluck where I work.
9 years ago on Introduction
Congratulations on being a finalist in the Halloween contest!!! Can’t wait to see if you win! Good luck!
9 years ago on Introduction
So I made these for my son's birthday party and about 200 of them were gone in about an hour.
Couple of comments:
Dipping form: The best I found was to hold horizontally with your thumb on the point and your forefinger on the crux of the top. Keeping it horizontally and then gently shaking off the excess.
Required shortening:
I did not use shortening, but instead used Vegetable oil. 2-3 Tablespoons per bag of white chocolate chips. Add 1 Tbsp before initial heating (1 minute) and then adding a tablespoon if it began to be too firm on subsequent heatings (30 seconds).
9 years ago on Introduction
I would think that the addition of powdered pumpkin spice would be something to consider to give it an authentic flavor. My wife knows that fall is my favorite season and one reason is because of increased access to pumpkin flavored stuff is much easier (and I am a sucker for pumpkin flavored everything).
9 years ago on Introduction
Great! I like choccy, pretzels, and I like M&M's as well. I'm thinking of something dark to dab into the eyes and mouth. Mybe plain chocolate or a dried currant. Well done.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I tried a few things in as the eyes and mouth but they all looked weird. :) Maybe something smaller would be good- a mini chocolate chip??
9 years ago on Introduction
When melting white chocolate in microwave, did you use "high" setting? Not sure as you said to go slowly. Thanks.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Yes- I just used the normal 'high" setting. I'd put them in for 30 second increments, stirring lightly between to test.
9 years ago on Introduction
Wonderful, can't wait to make.
9 years ago on Introduction
Very cute, thanks for sharing!
I've found the electric chocolate melting pot by Wilton (about $20 at fabric and craft stores) is great for this, don't have to worry about ruining good chocolate.
9 years ago on Introduction
CUTE!
9 years ago on Introduction
Just sent this to 2 of my 6 sisters...with the comment that they could think about colouring the chocolate Xmas colours for the Holidaze as well...
9 years ago on Step 4
Very cute, and yes I see the little face. I'll have to try these. Thanks.
9 years ago on Introduction
such a simple yet awesome idea, and I just love pretzels. :)
9 years ago on Introduction
Awesome idea!
9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks so much.....I have a friend who LOVES pretzels, & I just saw some like these on Pinterest....now I'll get them made for her
9 years ago on Introduction
Looks as tasty as it does adorable. Thanks for sharing these here!
9 years ago on Introduction
This is just a genius idea! So simple and oh so cute!