How to make easy, delicious, and patriotic candy- coated pretzel rods to celebrate the 4th of July!
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Between grilling out and keeping up with the kiddos, it’s easy for your hands to get full during big outdoor holidays like the 4th of July. Even though the holiday is filled with fun, remembrance, and amazing food, we all know that it can get kind of hectic. Even the days leading up to the holiday can be pretty chaotic too with preparing colorful finger foods and trying to get star- studded patriotic decorations sorted, set out, and put up. So how can you save yourself from some of the holiday hassle this year? By choosing to make fun- filled recipes that are easy, quick, and do not sacrifice yummy flavors!
You can never go wrong with classic snacks that combine the favorite flavor duo of delightfully sweet and surprisingly salty, so these Chocolate- Covered Pretzels are a perfect go- to recipe for just about any busy holiday, especially the 4th of July! These tasty little patriotic treats are super easy to make, only require a few ingredients, and they can be prepared a few days ahead of time for easier set up on the actual party day. Plus they are easily as charming as those little handheld sparklers but with way more fun.
Candy- Melting Tools and Equipment
One of the best parts about easy recipes is that they usually only require a few kitchen tools or simple equipment. At least, that is the case for this simple chocolate- covered pretzel rods recipe anyway.
- Wilton candy melts pot
- Spatulas
- Piping bags
- Piping bag ties
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper sheets
- Tall Dipping Container
Temperature Ranges for Melting Chocolate
Kitchen Tip:
I specifically like using my candy melt pot over all other melting methods, including the microwave, for any kind of candy- making projects. It keeps the chocolate at the perfect temperature through the whole process. Plus the silicone lining is super easy to clean and there are no overcooked bits of candy to try and scrape off later.
Salty and Sweet Ingredients
Simple recipes usually also mean that only a few simple ingredients are needed which is delightful for so many reasons. Fewer ingredients is easier on both the party budget and the clean up that is to come after prepping and cooking.
- 1 bag Pretzel rods
- 1 bag White candy melts
- 2 tsp Coconut oil
- 1 cup Royal blue candy melts
- ½ tsp Coconut oil
- ½ cup Red candy melts
- ¼ tsp Coconut oil
- Star Sprinkles: Red, White, & Blue
July 4th Theme
Dipping into Deliciousness
This chocolate- covered pretzel rod recipe is wonderfully easy to make and hard to mess up so it’s perfect for beginner bakers, as well as the more seasoned bakers who prefer easier recipes. Watch for my notes in the how- to process below to make sure that you can make this recipe hassle- free and without any mishaps.
- First, prepare and measure out all of your ingredients. Then, line a baking sheet with a parchment paper sheet or wax paper.
- Next, combine the white candy melts and the 2 tsp. of coconut oil in the candy melting pot. Melt them together on high and stir regularly with a heat resistant spatula.
- After the candy has melted completely, transfer the melted white candy to a tall dipping container.
- Dip each pretzel rod into the melted white candy and then spread them out over the parchment- lined baking sheet. Transfer the pretzels to the fridge and let the candy coating harden for about 10 minutes.
- You could also just let the coated pretzels sit out at room temperature until the candy hardens but the fridge helps to speed up the process.
- These could also be hardened in the freezer for about 7-10 minutes.
- While the first candy layer is hardening, rinse out the silicone lining of the melting pot. After drying, repeat the melting and stirring process for the blue candy melts and the ½ tsp of coconut oil.
- Once the blue candy has completely melted, pour it into a separate clean tall dipping container.
- Next, dip the tips of the pretzel rods into the melted blue candy and then immediately sprinkle with the colorful star sprinkles. Then, move the candy- coated pretzels back to the fridge and let sit again.
- Rinse and dry the melting pot one more time. Then, combine the red candy melts with the ¼ tsp. of the coconut oil and melt them together while stirring.
- When it is ready, transfer the melted red candy to a piping bag and tie it off with a piping bag tie. Then, cut ⅛ inch from the tip of the bag for easy drizzling.
- Finally, drizzle the melted red candy over the remaining white part of the pretzel rods and let them harden completely before serving.
Kitchen Tip:
For an easier drizzling shortcut you can use a few packs of these ChocoDrizzlers. For this recipe, I suggest getting 2 or 3 bags. This method is perfect for anyone who does not do a lot of baking at home or if you just don’t have any pastry piping bags handy in your own kitchen. The biggest differences to take note of are that these prepared drizzler bags are a little more costly and they produce less of the candy.
Storing Candied Pretzels Properly
Whether you are making these ahead of time for party day or you need to save some leftover candied pretzel rods afterwards, it is incredibly easy to store some for later.
- Transfer the candy- coated pretzel rods to a large ziploc bag or, preferably, to an airtight container. If desired, you can separate layers with a sheet of parchment or wax paper.
- Mark the date on the outside of the bag or container.
- Store at room temperature or slightly cooler for 2- 3 weeks.
- I do not recommend storing these candied pretzel rods long-term in the fridge or the freezer due to the potential of the pretzels softening or going stale from moisture.
Serving Up Splendor
These eye catching cuties are perfect for adding a touch of splendor to any party for any holiday or special occasion. Make a batch of these patriotic- colored pretzels for any patriotic holiday such as:
- 4th of July
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
OR you can swap up the colors and make a customized batch of them for any other holiday or special occasion:
- Birthday parties
- Baby showers
- Wedding or engagement showers
- School parties or bake sales
- Mother’s Day or Father’s Day
- New Year’s Eve or Day – black with yellow or a gold edible glitter.
- Mardi Gras- purple, green, and yellow.
- Valentine’s Day- red, pink, and white.
- Easter- Carrot Chocolate- Covered Pretzels
- St. Patrick’s Day – green and yellow or gold.
- Halloween- purple, green, orange, and black.
- Thanksgiving- yellow, orange, and cocoa- colored.
- Christmas- red, green, and white.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels for 4th of July
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bag Pretzel rods
- 1 bag White candy melts
- 2 tsp Coconut oil
- 1 cup Royal blue candy melts
- ½ tsp Coconut oil
- ½ cup Red candy melts
- ¼ tsp Coconut oil
- Star Sprinkles Red, White, & Blue
Instructions
- First, prepare and measure out all of your ingredients. Then, line a baking sheet with a parchment paper sheet or wax paper.
- Next, combine the white candy melts and the 2 tsp. of coconut oil in the candy melting pot. Melt them together on high and stir regularly with a heat resistant spatula.
- After the candy has melted completely, transfer the melted white candy to a tall dipping container.
- Dip each pretzel rod into the melted white candy and then spread them out over the parchment- lined baking sheet. Transfer the pretzels to the fridge and let the candy coating harden for about 10 minutes.
- While the first candy layer is hardening, rinse out the silicone lining of the melting pot. After drying, repeat the melting and stirring process for the blue candy melts and the ½ tsp of coconut oil.
- Once the blue candy has completely melted, pour it into a separate clean tall dipping container.
- Next, dip the tips of the pretzel rods into the melted blue candy and then immediately sprinkle with the colorful star sprinkles. Then, move the candy- coated pretzels back to the fridge and let sit again.
- Rinse and dry the melting pot one more time. Then, combine the red candy melts with the ¼ tsp. of the coconut oil and melt them together while stirring.
- When it is ready, transfer the melted red candy to a piping bag and tie it off with a piping bag tie. Then, cut ⅛ inch from the tip of the bag for easy drizzling.
- Finally, drizzle the melted red candy over the remaining white part of the pretzel rods and let them harden completely before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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