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Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe with Crushed Candy Canes are easy and fun to make with the kids. Plus, they make wonderful holiday gifts for friends and neighbors.

I tend to get a little sentimental during the holidays, and this weekend was no exception. As my boys diligently dipped pretzels into melted chocolate and sprinkled them with crushed candy canes, I watched them and listened to their sometimes-serious, sometimes-silly commentary...and felt overwhelmed. As each year passes, I become acutely aware of how quickly they are growing up and that I need to do a better job of being present in each moment I have with them.

Last year we made Chocolate Marshmallow Pops Three Ways, and I marveled at the boys concentration as they attempted to make each pop "just so".

Chocolate Marshmallow Pops Three Ways: Candy Cane, Heath Bar & Coconut

They had such a good time with the project that I decided we would designate "treat-making for the neighbors" an annual event. This year, the boys melted the chocolate, crushed the candy canes and set about dipping and decorating the pretzels, with only a little supervision from me. Once we make a few more batches, we'll package them in holiday bags, adorn them with ribbon and tags, and the boys will set off to proudly deliver the fruits of their labor to our neighbors.

My hope is that this tradition will be a fond memory for them in years to come, and something that they might decide to carry on with their children.

The recipe:

Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper.

Place the unwrapped candy canes in a large ziploc bag. Pound with a mallet until the candy canes are broken into small pieces.

Combine the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe glass bowl. In the microwave, melt the chocolate at 50% power, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Dip one pretzel into the melted chocolate. Using a thin skewer or toothpick, flip over the pretzel to coat it completely, then lift it out and lay it on the prepared baking sheet.

Immediately sprinkle some candy cane pieces onto the pretzel. Repeat with the remaining pretzels.

If the chocolate begins too thicken, re-melt it in the microwave for an additional 20 to 30 seconds.

Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to harden. Serve, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, using waxed paper to separate the layers.

And what did the boys think of their creations? Well, let's just say that they begged me to sneak some chocolate covered pretzels into their lunch boxes this morning.

Printable Recipe

Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe with Crushed Candy Canes

From the kitchen of Cookin Canuck. www.cookincanuck.com

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Holdiay Recipes

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 15

Servings: Pieces (Approximately)

Calories: 63kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

4 regular-sized candy canes
12 ounces about 1 ¾ cups bittersweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
approximately 36 twist pretzels

Instructions

Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper.
Place the unwrapped candy canes in a large ziploc bag. Pound with a mallet until the candy canes are broken into small pieces.
Combine the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe glass bowl. In the microwave, melt the chocolate at 50% power, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Dip one pretzel into the melted chocolate. Using a thin skewer or toothpick, flip over the pretzel to coat it completely, then lift it out and lay it on the prepared baking sheet.
Immediately sprinkle some candy cane pieces onto the pretzel. Repeat with the remaining pretzels. If the chocolate begins too thicken, re-melt it in the microwave for an additional 20 to 30 seconds.
Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to harden. Serve, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, using waxed paper to separate the layers.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

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