These White Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods are so easy that you will never need to buy a sweet treat for a party or special gift again. Serve them open in a mason jar or individually wrapped for a reasonable, beautiful dessert.
Perhaps you are a little startled by the title of this post. I can understand that. I mean, what do white chocolate dipped pretzel rods have to do with Make Healthy Easy? Is it opposite day or something?
Well, let me explain. I do have a point.
It's Recipe Redux day here on MHE, which means it's the one day of the month where I tackle a recipe challenge with about 200 other healthy food bloggers. (It's pretty fun and make sure you read the very end to see all the other recipes that I'm linked up with.) This month, our challenge was to share a DIY recipe that we now make instead of buy.
I have a confession: Right now, in this super crazy mom of two toddlers stage, I don't have a lot of energy to make everything from scratch. For instance, I know I could make enchilada sauce easily from scratch (like The Lean Green Bean's recipe), but instead I just stick to my All Natural Easy Chicken Enchiladas with canned sauce. It works right now. And maybe one day down the not-to-distant road, I'll have the energy to make more from scratch.
So, when trying to decide what DIY recipe I could share with you all today, it took some thought. But then I remembered these easy pretzel sticks that I recently made for Easter, and Valentine's day, and Christmas (and a whole heck of a lot of other events) and knew it was the perfect fit.
See, I love to give friends and family a little special treat, especially at the holidays. I've bought candy before, which is expensive, and it seems kind of cheap to just give one small piece. So, for the past couple of years, I have made these pretzel sticks as Christmas presents for work colleagues and neighbors.
They are the PERFECT little gift that's a welcome treat but not does not go over the top with tons of calories or a huge portion size. One pretzel really is satisfying. Plus, they are really easy to make and always look beautiful.
I buy the big ol' tub of pretzel rods from ALDI for about $3. ALDI also sells MM's for a fabulous price.
You can customize the MM's on these to fit whatever holiday or event you are celebrating. This time of year, they would be perfect for a graduation party too, decked out in the graduate's school colors or in red, white and blue for Memorial Day or July 4th. The sky is the limit on what theme you choose!
To melt the white chocolate chips, I use my trusty microwave and have found a very tall mug, like this Fiesta Latte mug (which is also just my favorite mug, period), works the best. Be sure to microwave in 30 second intervals only, as it's very easy to overcook white chocolate. Once melted, use a small spatula to keep the melted chocolate up along one wall of the mug and then roll the pretzel along that one area.
When gifting these, I put each one in this Wilton pretzel bag and tie it off with some ribbon. Sometimes I'll add a little gift tag, but truly it's not needed. You'll get a big smile from the recipient regardless. I promise.
Special thanks to my mom who invented this recipe, as far as I'm concerned, and taught me how to make them. These always make me think of you, Mom! You are the best at making them.
I hope this quick and easy White Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rod recipe will become something you enjoy and share with those you love.
Enjoy!
Jenna
White Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods
Ingredients
- 15-20 pretzel rods
- 1 bag white chocolate chips Ghirardelli is recommended
- 1 bag MM's candy
- Wax or parchment paper
Instructions
- Lay out a large piece of parchment or wax paper on your counter or on a large baking sheet. Pour MM's into a bowl and set next to parchment paper.
- In a tall mug, pour in all of the white chocolate chips. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Remove and gently stir with a think spatula.
- Return mug to microwave and heat on high for seconds. Remove and stir again. Repeat this process until chips are ALMOST fully melted, about 3-4 total cycles. Stir well until chocolate is smooth and chips are completely melted.
- Tip the mug to the side and use the spatula to collect the chocolate along one wall of the mug. Insert a pretzel rod in to the chocolate and twist to coat, trying to cover as much of the rod as you prefer. Continue to twist pretzel as you remove it from the chocolate, allowing the excess to fall back in to the mug. Place dipped pretzel on parchment paper.
- Repeat dipping with all pretzels. Once chocolate has set slightly, about 5 minutes, cover each pretzel with MM's to preference. (I think the more the better.)
- Allow pretzels to harden completely on the counter, about 2 hours. Make sure it is a cool area without direct sunlight or close proximity to heat source.
- Store in airtight container or individual gift bags. Pretzels stay fresh for 1 week and possibly up to 2 weeks with a good climate.
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