Ingredients
- Pretzel Rods (24 pieces): These are the “base” of our reindeer, giving them that nice crunchy texture. You can use regular pretzel rods or twist pretzels if you prefer. Either way, they’ll be adorable!
- Milk Chocolate Chips (1 cup): For melting and creating a smooth, sweet coating over the pretzels. You can also use white chocolate or dark chocolate depending on your preference.
- Red Candy Coated Chocolates (24 pieces): These are going to be the noses of our reindeer! If you can’t find red candy-coated chocolates, you can also use M&M’s or red hot candies.
- Mini Pretzels (24 pieces): These will act as the antlers. The mini twist pretzels work perfectly for this!
- Candy Canes (12 pieces): These are going to be cut into small pieces to make the reindeer’s antlers. You’ll need about 2 pieces per reindeer.
- Decorating Sprinkles (Optional): If you want to add a little extra flair, some festive sprinkles on the chocolate can add a pop of color and make them extra cute.
Instructions
- Prep the Pretzels
Start by laying out your pretzel rods on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You’ll want to make sure the pretzels are spaced out a bit so they have room for the chocolate and candy decorations later on. - Melt the Chocolate
Place the milk chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate in 20-30 second intervals, stirring in between each, until it’s fully melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it! If you’re using a double boiler, simply place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl over simmering water and stir until melted.Once the chocolate is melted, take the bowl off the heat and let it cool for a minute. You want the chocolate to be smooth but not too hot when you dip your pretzels.
- Dip the Pretzels
Hold each pretzel rod by one end and dip it into the melted chocolate. Make sure to coat about 2/3 of the pretzel in chocolate, leaving the top exposed. You can even tap the pretzel gently on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Don’t worry about perfection—these reindeer are meant to be a little rustic and homemade! - Let the Chocolate Set
Place the chocolate-dipped pretzel rods back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them set for 10-15 minutes until the chocolate firms up a bit. You can pop the tray in the fridge to speed up this process if you’re in a hurry. - Assemble the Antlers and Nose
Now comes the fun part! To make the antlers, break each candy cane in half. You’ll want to make sure the pieces are fairly even. Place each candy cane piece on either side of the pretzel, like antlers. Gently press them into the chocolate-covered section of the pretzel so they stick.For the reindeer nose, simply place one red candy-coated chocolate in the center of the pretzel rod, right below the chocolate-covered section. This is where the red nose will make your reindeer come to life!
- Let the Pretzels Dry
Allow the assembled Reindeer Pretzels to set completely. This usually takes about 30 minutes. If you’re in a rush, you can pop them in the fridge to speed up the process. - Decorate (Optional)
If you want to make these Reindeer Pretzels even more festive, sprinkle some colorful holiday sprinkles on top of the chocolate before it sets. You can also drizzle some additional melted chocolate on top for extra flair!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150