These delicious treats are perfect for any Halloween
get-together.. easy to make.. inexpensive.. and everybody loves them... who can
resist the sweet flavor of the chocolate with the salt of the pretzel.. and the
crunch ... they're positively addicting!
The make a great snack to serve or make little goody bags
for a party favor.. either way.. they're a winner!
I can tell you from personal experience .... to save
yourself some headaches.. follow my tips... just trust me...
TIPS
The most important tip... use regular sized pretzels... the
small pretzels will taste as good.. for sure... but won't look at pretty... it's
hard to get the chocolate runny enough so it doesn't clog the little holes of
the small pretzels... I have tried a variety of brands and types.. I always
have to add a little shortening when melting to get it to a runny consistency
for the pretzel.. and without adding quite a bit of shortening.. which takes
away from the chocolate flavor... so my advice is use regular sized pretzels.
While I'm on the subject of melting the chocolate... you
will need to add about a tablespoon and a half (eyeball the half).... to the
chocolate when melting it.. be sure to add it in right from the start... I melt
about a half of a bag at a time.... I use the Wilton bags of chocolate..
I buy the different colors and melt each separately.... DO
NOT attempt to color the chocolate with food coloring.. you will ruin it.
If you are lucky enough to live near a chocolate supply
store that has its own brand of chocolate melts.. then you will need to tinker
with the amount of shortening you will need to melt your chocolate thin enough
so easily dip your pretzel... ask the owner for advice.. they will know best..
be sure to tell them what you are using it for.
You can melt them in the microwave... however.. be very very
careful.... the directions said to melt it on 50% power for a minute... it does
warn you about the different powers of different microwaves... all I can say
is... start melting at 40% power... and do it for 30 seconds at a time... stir
well and then if you need more time...continue
As I mentioned, I used Wilton bags of chocolate melts... I
have a fairly new and large microwave.. I ruined the first batch of chocolate
at 50% power .. over-heating will ruin the chocolate beyond repair... so I then
tried again... 1/2 bag of chocolate melts plus 1 1/2 tablespoons shortening (I
used Crisco)... 40% power for 30 seconds.. stirred well.. then did 10 second
intervals ... I ended up finding 1 minute totally worked for me... I took it
and stirred vigorously after it came out
of the micro... and all lumps eventually melted into a smooth workable
texture...
So again.. since there are so many microwaves out there..
and a lot will also depend on the age of the microwave... start with the lower
power and shorter time.. the take it slow.. until you find what is right for
your oven... then stick to one brand of chocolate.. whatever it is.. since
melting times will vary with different brands... and once you find what's right
for yours.. it will be a snap and foolproof.
Do not use broken pretzels... the crumbs will get into your
chocolate and then the chocolate won't look as nice as you will want it too.
A lot of blogs recommend that you use a toothpick to balance
the pretzel on when dipping... I've tried.. another "just don't do
it" advice from me.... it's a pain in the tookus.... not worth the extra
effort... buy yourself a tiny pair of tongs.. I bought mine at a kitchen shop
for 3 bucks... it was worth the purchase... they work like clockwork.. grip the
pretzel easily.. and don't leave a noticeable bare spot.
They had a special.. a buy two get one free... being my
thrifty self.. I only bought one... stupid move... since I wanted to do
multiple colors.. i was constantly washing them... they work well for serving
horsdourves so if you have an opportunity to get a special.. do it.. well worth
it.
Have pieces of paper towel handy... to wipe the tongs .. the
chocolate will build up a bit and that will make it more difficult to grip.
Sprinkles... I thought the sprinkles were cute... I tried
little sprinkles (like on an ice cream cone) ... I tried tiny sprinkles (like
you put on cookies) and I tried bigger sprinkles ... personally.. I recommend
you sick to the regular sprinkles.. the purple and black ones were really cute
on white chocolate.. they stuck the best and made the least mess... when making
them and when eating them.
I used parchment paper to lay the pretzels on when I took
them out of the chocolate.. let them set for a while ...they won't stick if
totally set.
Don't fret if the chocolate glops a little when you lay them
down.. just means you didn't let them drip long enough before laying them
down... it can be fixed easily.. just pick them up again with the tongs and lay
them elsewhere on your parchment paper.. it will leave behind the excess...
To avoid getting those glops .. after taking the pretzel out
of the chocolate.. gently tap the side of the bowl to drip the excess chocolate
off. You don't want it too thick in the pretzel. The thinner amount just looks nicer.
If you plan to put sprinkles on the pretzels, be sure to
sprinkle them lightly just after placing them on the parchment paper.
I tried the shaker method... I tried using a spoon... and I
tried sprinkling them using my fingers.. the finger method worked the best.. I
could sprinkle them evenly and there was less waste...
After the pretzels have had a change to completely set...
place them on a plate and place them in the fridge to finish setting them..
about 20 minutes or so should do the trick.
I know your thinking... these are a lot of tips.. well.. I
guess they are... but they should make your life a lot easier... once I worked
out the "kinks" I did a bag of
pretzels in about an hour... it was that quick and easy...
Oh... and before I forget.. how much chocolate does a bag of
pretzels... I used about 2 1/2 bags of Wilton's chocolate melts for about a
pound bag of large pretzels... I say about a pound .. because I didn't do them
all.. I didn't use the broken ones.
Recipe: Chocolate Covered Halloween Pretzels
All you need:
1 pound bag of regular sized pretzels
2 1/2 bags Wilton chocolate melts
Shortening *See TIPS
Sprinkles
All you have to do:
Place a half bag of chocolate melts with 1 1/2 tablespoons
shortening in a glass bowl... melt it in your microwave... please read the tips
before melting your chocolate.
Stir well to ensure the chocolate is evenly melted.
Using tongs, dip the pretzels into the chocolate... tap the
tongs on the side of the bowl to let excess chocolate drip off.
Place on parchment paper.... I dip about 4-5 pretzels at a
time .. then I sprinkle them with the sprinkles.. and then continue...
Allow the chocolate to set... then place on a plate in a
single layer not over lapping.. and place them in the fridge for about 20
minutes to harden.
Store in an air tight container... either in the fridge or
in a cool dry place.
2 comments:
Thank you for all the amazing tips!
I do have one question... When you say chocolate, are you actually referring to "candy melts" by Wilton? I actually prefer these to using real chocolate, as they are much easier to work with!
Beth
Hi Beth,
Yes.. I use Wilton candy melts... I've tried the bark they sell.. and I've also tried chocolate chips... I found the Wilton candy melts or ones from the candy supply stores..to be the best... I was used to working with them since I used to make candy for holidays...
I will have to try regular chocolate.. what brands do you use and how much shortening do you use to get it thin enough to dip?
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