It’s time to get dippin’, chocolate dippin’ that is! There is just something so good about the combination of salty and sweet that makes pretzels and chocolate the perfect match. I have been chocolate dipping pretzels at Christmas time for longer than I can remember. I know that doesn’t say much these days, but neighbors and friends have been receiving chocolate dipped treats from me for years and years. They are such and easy, impressive, and yummy treat to serve or give to others as a gift.
Some years I use small twists, large twists, small rods, long rods, or a combination. I have dipped them in milk chocolate and drizzled melted white chocolate on top, and vice versa. I have used sprinkles, jimmies, mini chocolate chips, Christmas tree sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and probably other toppings as well. There are so many ways to make these pretzels that you can just be creative and do whatever you wish.
If you can’t find real chocolate melting wafers, you can always find the bags of assorted flavors and colors of melting wafers at your local craft store. I find it is much easier to use these than it is to use chocolate chips or another kind of baking chocolate because they melt better. It also won’t harden as quickly giving you more time to work. If the chocolate in the bowl does start to harden, just pop it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and it will loosen up.
The tap, tap, tapping sound of the pretzel on the side of the bowl as you let the excess chocolate drip off becomes quite therapeutic, especially when you are on your 567th pretzel. Often times when you get a little too relaxed the pretzel will break which just means “seconds” for your family, which I can assure you they won’t mind.
Lay each pretzel down gently on a wax paper covered cookie sheet. I usually dip a few and then add the toppings. Make sure to add whatever topping you choose before the chocolate sets. Once I have a cookie sheet full, I just put them in the refrigerator for a little while.
They don’t need to be in there long before you can remove them and store them in an air tight container. My chocolate dipped goodies are usually the first item I make out of my holiday baking because they keep longer than cookies will.
On years when I’m feeling a little crazy, I also dip other items such as Oreos or graham crackers. I have also dipped large marshmallows and stuck them onto the tip of candy cane sticks. So many possible dippers!
So go get dippin’!