Easy, Festive Chocolate Holiday Pretzels

Parrot Head Mama's Note:

This came from Family Fun magazine, it's SUPER easy, next to NO MESS. Great activity to do with kids. Excellent alternative to messing around with melting chocolate and dipping pretzels.

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 30

Yield: 3.0 plates

• 3 (10 ounce) bags checkerboard or windowpane shaped pretzels
• 1 (17 5⁄8; ounce) bag holiday M&M's plain chocolate candy (red & green)
• 3 (13 ounce) bags Hershey's Hugs chocolates
• 3 (13 ounce) bags Hershey's chocolate kisses

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees.
2. Open the bags of pretzels and remove all the unbroken pretzels.
3. Place them on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets in a single layer.
4. Unwrap Hugs, place one on each pretzel, repeat for an entire cookie sheet.
5. DO ONLY ONE TYPE OF CANDY PER SHEET, as the Hugs melt much quicker than the Kisses.
6. Repeat using the Hershey Kisses.
7. Place cookie sheet/s in the preheated oven, bake for 4 MINUTES FOR THE SHEET OF pretzels and HUGS, 5-6 minutes for the pretzels and Kisses.
8. Immediately upon removing from the oven, place one M-n-M on top of each pretzel/chocolate.
9. Place cookie sheet in freezer for 8-10 minutes, to allow chocolate to re-set.

Reviews

[Supersteph0]

Oh man, I hate to be the one to say something negative....overall I do give these 5 stars for flavour, ease, and visual appeal, however I am disappointed because I made 3 batches to freeze and give away as gifts, but I didn't find these treats have any portability, so I can't use them. Mainly, the caramel kisses and white chocolate kisses melted okay, but they never hardened again, which means when I tried to package them up they turned into a gooey (delicious) mess. The almond kisses just never melted enough to "squish" for some reason, so I couldn't put candies on top. These tasted great and would be perfect for if you want to make them and serve them in the same evening, however for packaging up as gifts they did not work for me. Still a super-fun kids recipe though :-) I will make them again with my girls.

[ChefDLH]

This is a super easy snack that is a great hit with the young and old. It saves well in an airtight container and can be enjoyed for a few days after your party or event. I did them in a 350 degree oven but had to watch them continuously but they were fast and fun! ChefDLH

[Julie F]

I too, saw these in Parents Magazine years ago. They are so easy and such a hit! My younger daughter likes this version best. My older daughter likes the "turtle" version made with pecan halves and rolos. Delicious no matter what combinations you use!