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Christmas Chocolate Pretzels Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a quick, festive treat that’s both delightfully crunchy and irresistibly chocolaty, you’re in the right place. I absolutely love this Christmas Chocolate Pretzels Recipe because it’s so simple to whip up, requires just a handful of ingredients, and yields a snack that everyone—kids and adults alike—goes crazy for. Whether you’re looking to impress at a holiday party or create a fun little gift, these chocolate-dipped pretzels decorated with sprinkles bring joy with every bite. Let me walk you through how to make them perfectly every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Super Easy and Quick: You can have these treats done in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute gatherings.
  • Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating with sprinkles gets the whole family involved, and kids love eating their handiwork.
  • Perfect Holiday Gift: These look so festive and fancy but taste like a total indulgence—your friends will think you spent hours on them.
  • Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap sprinkles or chocolates to match any occasion, not just Christmas.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic here lies in keeping things simple with just pretzels, melting chocolate, and sprinkles. Each ingredient plays a key role in delivering the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and festive crunch.

Flat lay of fresh golden-brown pretzel rings arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth, glossy melting chocolate, and a small white ceramic bowl containing colorful round sprinkles in red, green, white, and yellow, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Christmas Chocolate Pretzels, festive holiday treats, chocolate dipped pretzels, easy holiday snacks, Christmas dessert ideas
  • Pretzel Rings: I prefer crunchy, round pretzels for their hollow centers that hold the chocolate perfectly. Make sure they’re fresh to keep that satisfying snap.
  • Melting Chocolate: Choose good-quality melting chocolate or wafers—they melt smoothly and firm up nicely. I like semi-sweet for a balanced sweet-salty flavor.
  • Sprinkles: Go festive with red and green, or pick whatever colors you love. Fun shapes or classic colorful nonpareils all work brilliantly here.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

As much as I love the classic Christmas twist, I’m all about personalization. Feel free to get creative with the chocolates and toppings to make this recipe truly your own!

  • White Chocolate Twist: I once swapped in white chocolate and added crushed peppermint candy on top—my family was obsessed with the refreshing contrast.
  • Nutty Delight: For a grown-up version, sprinkle crushed nuts like pistachios or almonds instead of sprinkles for a crunchy texture and more complex flavor.
  • Allergy-Friendly: Use dairy-free melting chocolate and allergen-free sprinkles to make this holiday treat safe for everyone around the table.
  • Mini Pretzels: I tried using tiny pretzels once for bite-sized nibbles—they’re great for grazing during parties or packing into holiday snack bags.

How to Make Christmas Chocolate Pretzels Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workstation

Begin by lining two small baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. I find it easiest to work in batches of five pretzels per pan to keep everything neat and manageable. Setting up your workspace like this keeps you organized and speeds up the process.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Gently

Place your melting chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 50% power in 1-minute intervals, stirring each time until smooth. I used to rush this and ended up with grainy-looking chocolate, so trust me—taking it slow is key to a silky, shiny finish.

Step 3: Pipe the Chocolate into Pretzels

Transfer the melted chocolate to a small resealable bag and snip off a tiny corner to create a DIY piping bag. Fill the centers of 5 pretzels on one pan, then gently tap the pan against the counter to even out the chocolate and pop any bubbles. This tap trick is a lifesaver for getting that smooth, glossy finish every time.

Step 4: Add Sprinkles and Chill

Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle your festive decorations on top, pressing just a bit so they stick. Pop the tray in the fridge for about 3 minutes to let everything firm up perfectly. While that’s chilling, repeat the piped chocolate and sprinkle method with the second tray.

Step 5: Repeat and Store

Once the first trays are firm, remove pretzels and fill the same pans with the remaining pretzels, repeating the chocolate and sprinkle step until you’ve used all your ingredients. If your chocolate starts to harden in the bag, just pop it back in the microwave for a few seconds at half power. Store your Christmas Chocolate Pretzels in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks—perfect if you want to prep ahead!

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Chocolate Pretzels Recipe

  • Even Chocolate Melting: Stir frequently while microwaving chocolate at medium power to prevent scorching and ensure a glossy finish.
  • Use a Small Piping Bag: Cutting a tiny corner off the bag gives you more control over the chocolate flow; too big a hole and it gets messy fast.
  • Tap Out Air Bubbles: Gently tapping the pans evens out chocolate surface and prevents holes or spotty coverage—this really gives it that professional look.
  • Work Quickly with Sprinkles: Add sprinkles right away after piping while the chocolate is still wet, so they stick beautifully without sliding off.

How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Pretzels Recipe

The image shows two small round treats inside a shiny silver foil cup placed on a white marbled surface. Each treat has a pretzel ring as the base layer in light brown with a slightly rough texture. Inside the pretzel ring is a smooth, colorful candy layer: one treat has a green candy with a raised Christmas tree shape made of small, round, multicolored sprinkles topped with a yellow star, while the other has a dark brown candy topped with green holly leaves and three red berry-like decorations. Behind the foil cup, there is a glass dish holding more of these treats, and silver ribbon curls add a festive touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas Chocolate Pretzels, festive holiday treats, chocolate dipped pretzels, easy holiday snacks, Christmas dessert ideas

Garnishes

I love topping mine with traditional red and green sugar sprinkles for that extra pop of holiday cheer, but sometimes I throw on edible glitter or crushed candy canes for a little crunch and sparkle. It’s so fun to tailor the look depending on your style or party theme.

Side Dishes

These pretzels pair beautifully with warm drinks like hot cocoa, spiced cider, or even a mug of rich eggnog. I often set them out alongside a cheese board or fruit platter during holiday get-togethers–they add just the right sweet-salty balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I arrange pretzels in cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon—super simple but looks so thoughtful! Or, stack them on a holiday-themed tiered tray or mason jar for a chic treat display. I once carved out a hollow candle centerpiece and filled it with these for a cute surprise at a Christmas brunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Christmas Chocolate Pretzels keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. I like to layer them between parchment paper to avoid sticking and preserve their crunchiness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these successfully, placing them in a freezer-safe container separated by wax paper. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature—chocolate holds up well without cracking or going dull.

Reheating

There’s no need for reheating them since these are best enjoyed at room temp or chilled. But if your chocolate looks a little dull after storage, a brief 5-10 second zap in the microwave should bring back that lovely shine—just watch closely to avoid melting too much.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of melting chocolate for this Christmas Chocolate Pretzels Recipe?

    While you can use regular chocolate chips in a pinch, melting chocolate or candy melts are formulated to melt smoothly and harden with a shiny finish. Chocolate chips often contain stabilizers that can cause the chocolate to seize or look dull when hardened, so I recommend using good-quality melting chocolate for the best results.

  2. How long do Christmas Chocolate Pretzels last?

    Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these pretzels keep fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks. Avoid humid environments to prevent the chocolate from sweating or pretzels from going soft.

  3. Can I make these gluten-free?

    Absolutely! Just swap the regular pretzels for certified gluten-free pretzels and ensure your chocolate and sprinkles don’t contain gluten. This way, everyone at your holiday party can enjoy them worry-free.

  4. What’s the best way to prevent chocolate from cracking after it hardens?

    Melting the chocolate gently and evenly, then cooling the pretzels in the fridge helps. Also, avoid exposing finished pretzels to temperature changes or humidity. If cracking does happen, reheating slightly can soften the chocolate again.

  5. Can I use different types of sprinkles?

    Yes! This recipe is super versatile. You can use colored sugar, nonpareils, edible glitter, or even themed shapes for different holidays or celebrations. Just make sure the sprinkles are sturdy enough to hold up while the chocolate firms.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Chocolate Pretzels Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday rituals because it’s so simple yet incredibly satisfying. I love how it brings everyone together to share a quick, delicious moment of joy, whether baking together or nibbling while chatting. Once you try it, I’m sure you’ll keep this easy festive treat in your seasonal rotation too. Give it a go, and watch these crunchy, chocolaty delights become an instant classic with friends and family!

Print
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Christmas Chocolate Pretzels Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 109 reviews
  • Author: Jaden
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 20 pretzels
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Christmas Pretzels are a simple, festive snack perfect for holiday gifting or family activities. These pretzel rings are filled with creamy melted chocolate and topped with colorful sprinkles, creating a delightful sweet and salty treat that sets quickly in the refrigerator.


Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 20 pretzel rings
  • 1 cup melting chocolate
  • Sprinkles


Instructions

  1. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two small baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the pretzels after the chocolate sets.
  2. Arrange Pretzels: Place 5 pretzel rings evenly spaced on each lined baking sheet, creating two pans with 5 pretzels each.
  3. Melt Chocolate: In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the melting chocolate at 50% power for 1-2 minutes until smooth, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  4. Prepare Piping Bag: Transfer the melted chocolate into a small resealable ziplock sandwich bag and cut a small piece off one corner to create a makeshift piping bag.
  5. Pipe Chocolate: Carefully pipe chocolate to fill the centers of the 5 pretzel rings on the first pan fully, making sure the chocolate is level.
  6. Tap and Decorate: Gently tap the baking sheet on the counter to flatten the chocolate surface and eliminate any air bubbles, then immediately sprinkle the pretzels with colorful sprinkles.
  7. Refrigerate to Set: Place the first pan in the refrigerator for about 3 minutes to allow the chocolate to firm.
  8. Repeat on Second Pan: Pipe chocolate into the pretzels on the second pan, tap to even the surface, add sprinkles, and refrigerate for 3 minutes.
  9. Remove and Replace: Once the chocolate has set, remove the pretzels from the pans. Arrange the remaining pretzels in the pans for the next batch.
  10. Reheat Chocolate if Needed: If the melted chocolate in the piping bag begins to harden, gently reheat it in the microwave and continue to fill the remaining pretzels until all are coated.
  11. Store: Store the finished Christmas Pretzels in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • This recipe is a quick, fun, and family-friendly holiday snack or gift option that requires minimal ingredients and effort.
  • Use colorful holiday-themed sprinkles to enhance the festive appearance.
  • Melted chocolate can be reheated carefully to avoid burning and ensure smooth piping.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pretzel
  • Calories: 23 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 76 mg
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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