Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Several varieties of chocolate and candy coatings
- Different types of chocolate
- Pretzel rods
- Chopped nuts
- Sprinkles, also known as nonpareils or "jimmies"
- Crushed peppermint candies
- Shredded coconut
- Waxed paper
- Non-stick cookie sheets
- Double boiler
- Chocolate dipped pretzel rods
- Clear plastic candy bags
- Curling ribbon
- Baskets or boxes
Choosing the Chocolate
Step1
Different types of chocolate contain more or less cocoa butter and chocolate solids.
Different types of chocolate and candy coating have different colors, flavors and effects when used to dip. Try a few to see how they melt, and how quickly they harden.
Step2
Chocolate contains cocoa butter and chocolate solids. White chocolate has cocoa butter, but no chocolate solids. Candy coatings have neither cocoa butter nor chocolate solids. Instead, they are made from oils such as coconut or palm. They can be any color, and are often flavored with vanilla, hazelnut or almond extracts.
Step3
Semi-sweet chocolate hardens quickly. It makes a good contrast to sweet centers such as fondant.
Step4
White chocolate melts smooth, coats well, and can be decorated with colored sugar or painted with tinted chocolate for a more festive look.
Dip it! Dip It Good!
Step1
Double Boilers Keep Your Chocolate from Scorching
Using a double boiler on medium low heat, begin melting the chocolate. Start with white chocolate first, and work from lightest to darkest. That way you will not have to stop and clean out the pan each time you change colors.
Step2
Once chocolate has melted, spoon about half a cup onto a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Stir back and forth with a spoon until chocolate thickens a little. This is known as "tempering."
Step3
Taking a pretzel rod by one end, dip the other end into the chocolate, rolling it back and forth until it is well covered. Leave the end you are holding uncovered.
Step4
Non Pareils
Roll coated pretzel in chopped nuts, nonpareils or crushed peppermints for extra kick.
Step5
Lay coated pretzels on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet to cool and harden.
Pretty It Up!
Step1
Take three or four different dipped pretzel rods. Try one white, one semi-sweet and one milk chocolate-dipped pretzel in a group. Or take one each of pretzels that have been rolled in nuts, candies or nonpareils.
Step2
Place dipped pretzels into candy bag with undipped end at the open end of the bag.
Step3
Gather bag at the open end and tie with curling ribbon.
Step4
Place several bags or dipped pretzel rods in a basket or box. Add holiday candy, cookies, or other treats or simply have bags of dipped pretzels by themselves.
http://www.ediblegiftsplus.com/product_p/pws1.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_chocolate, http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PBRR9KH1L._AA262_.jpg, http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.co
Comments
CCrock said
on 1/23/2008 I love these! I made some for Christmas with Christmas sprinkles as gifts! I just used the melting chocolate, melt it in the microwave and dip the pretzels. SO GOOD!
RhiannonAidan said
on 1/14/2008 Yummy! Definitely a favorite treat of mine anytime.