Experience Sweet and Salty Fusion-Unraveling the Secrets of Making MNM Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
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Hello there! If you share the same passion for baking as I do, you’ll understand the unique joy that comes with creating something truly delicious from scratch. Baking isn’t just about crafting ornate pastries through complex techniques or hunting down rare, exotic ingredients. More often than not, it’s about the simple pleasure of taking familiar, everyday ingredients and skillfully combining them in a way that manages to create an impressive impact.
Every so often, we stumble upon a recipe that ticks all the right boxes. It’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and the end result is something so delightful that it can easily become the talk of the party. Today’s focus, the M&M Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods, are just that kind of recipe.
Picture this – the crunchy, salty taste of pretzels, coupled with the sweet, smoothness of chocolate, and further enhanced with the colourful, candy-coated charm of M&Ms. Now, if that doesn’t sound like a delightful treat, I don’t know what does! This recipe is a sweet-and-salty variant of the previously shared Gourmet Chocolate Covered Pretzel Twists, taking the original concept and dialing up the whimsy and color to create a treat that’s not just delicious, but also visually appealing.
These sweet and salty treats are among the easiest desserts you can make. With just a few simple steps, you can transform humble pretzels and a bag of M&Ms into a gourmet dessert that’s sure to dazzle. Whether you’re planning to serve them at a small get-together with friends, or hoping to stand out at a community potluck, these M&M Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods will not disappoint.
If you enjoyed my previous treats like Easter Chocolate Covered Pretzel Bunnies and Ducklings, Carrot Chocolate Covered Pretzels, or Mermaid Pretzel Rods, you’re going to love these M&M rods. Also, don’t forget to check out my holiday specials, including Valentine’s Day Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods, Chocolate Covered Pretzels for 4th of July, Red White and Blue Chocolate Covered Pretzel Twists, and Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Wreath. Trust me, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and are bound to impress all your guests!
The Art of M&M and Pretzels
Before diving into the process, let’s discuss the main ingredients – M&Ms and pretzels. These iconic snacks have played starring roles in various treats like the Carrot Chocolate Covered Pretzels and Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Wreath. The vibrant, round chocolate candies of M&Ms paired with the unique knot-like, salty crunch of pretzels creates an irresistible symphony of sweet and salty that leaves a lasting impression.
EQUIPMENT
- Wilton candy melts pot The Wilton candy melts pot is a specialty tool designed to melt candy with ease. It provides an ideal, controlled temperature for melting candy melts, like the chocolate chips in this recipe, to ensure a smooth and even consistency. This pot allows for better heat distribution and avoids hot spots that can potentially burn the chocolate.
- Spatulas A spatula is used to stir the melting chocolate in the candy melts pot. It helps in maintaining a smooth consistency and ensures all the chocolate chips are evenly melted. A silicone spatula, in particular, is preferred as it is resistant to heat and safe to use with the candy melts pot.
- Baking sheet A baking sheet serves as the foundation where the chocolate covered pretzel rods are placed to set. It provides a flat, stable surface and its rimmed edges ensure none of the rods roll off during the process
- Parchment paper sheets Parchment paper sheets are used to line the baking sheet. They prevent the chocolate-covered pretzel rods from sticking to the baking sheet, making it easier to remove the rods once the chocolate has hardened. Parchment paper also aids in easier cleanup.
- Silicone dipping cup Once the chocolate is melted, it’s transferred to a silicone dipping cup. This cup is specifically designed for dipping food items, like the pretzel rods, into melted chocolate or other coatings. It allows for easy and even coating of the pretzels, and the flexible silicone material makes it easy to tilt and maneuver during the dipping process.
- Star Printed Pretzel Rod Bags These are decorative bags specifically designed to hold pretzel rods. They are perfect for packaging individual chocolate-covered pretzel rods as gifts. Not only do they protect the pretzels, but the star-print design also adds a festive and professional touch to your homemade treats.
Temperature Ranges for Melting Chocolate
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips You could use 2 cups of dark chocolate chips instead. Dark chocolate is known to be rich in antioxidants and lower in sugar compared to semi-sweet chocolate. Alternatively, you could use sugar-free chocolate chips if you’re looking to reduce the sugar content further.
- 17 Pretzel rods Pretzels are generally low in fat, but they can be high in sodium. To make this recipe healthier, you could opt for low-sodium pretzel rods, which would be a better option for those watching their salt intake.
- 2 cups M&M Christmas Candy Candies like M&Ms can be high in sugar and fat. A healthier alternative could be dried fruits such as cranberries or raisins. They provide a sweet chewy contrast to the salty pretzel rods and add fiber and antioxidants to the recipe. You could also use nuts or seeds for added protein and healthy fats. If you prefer to keep the candy-coated aesthetic, consider sugar-free or naturally sweetened candy-coated chocolates.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Begin by measuring and preparing all ingredients for this recipe.
- Turn the chocolate melting pot to high heat and add the chocolate chips into it.
- Stir regularly with a silicone spatula. Your melted chocolate is ready when all the chocolate chips are completely melted.
- Transfer the melted chocolate to a silicone dipping cup and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
- While your chocolate is cooling, prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Once the chocolate has cooled a bit, dip a pretzel rod into the melted chocolate, then place it on the parchment paper. Immediately apply M&M’s before the chocolate starts hardening.
- Repeat the process with the rest of the pretzel rods.
- Once all the rods are decorated, refrigerate them for 10 minutes, or let them sit on the counter for 30 minutes until completely hardened.
- Once the pretzel rods have hardened, you can serve them on a large serving plate and enjoy.
Pretzel Rods Gift Packaging
- If you wish to gift the pretzel rods, you can package them individually.
- Place one pretzel rod in a clear bag specifically designed for pretzel rods and tie it with a twist tie. Now they are ready for gifting!
Presentation and Serving Ideas
Whether it’s Easter, with the Easter Chocolate Covered Pretzel Bunnies and Ducklings, or the 4th of July, with the Chocolate Covered Pretzels for 4th of July, these M&M Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods always shine. Arrange them in a tall glass for a casual get-together, or individually wrap them for party favors. They’re a hit for any occasion!
Storing
If there are any leftovers, here’s how they can be stored:
- Counter: In an airtight container for up to 1 week
- Fridge: In an airtight container, they will last for 2 weeks
- Freezer: Freeze them for longer storage up to 2 months
Taking inspiration from the Candy Cane Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods, they can be enjoyed later without the need for reheating.
Moore Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipes
Creating M&M Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods is as exciting as making Mermaid Pretzel Rods or Halloween Pretzel Rods. Hopefully, this stirs the same level of excitement in you. Give it a shot and remember to have fun. If the Red White and Blue Chocolate Covered Pretzel Twists were a hit, these treats are sure to impress too. Don’t forget to share experiences or any fun variations – hearing from readers is always a joy!
Happy baking!
MNM Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 17 Pretzel rods
- 2 cups M&M Christmas Candy
Instructions
- Begin by measuring and preparing all ingredients for this recipe.
- Turn the chocolate melting pot to high heat and add the chocolate chips into it.
- Stir regularly with a silicone spatula. Your melted chocolate is ready when all the chocolate chips are completely melted.
- Transfer the melted chocolate to a silicone dipping cup and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
- While your chocolate is cooling, prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Once the chocolate has cooled a bit, dip a pretzel rod into the melted chocolate, then place it on the parchment paper. Immediately apply M&M's before the chocolate starts hardening.
- Repeat the process with the rest of the pretzel rods.
- Once all the rods are decorated, refrigerate them for 10 minutes, or let them sit on the counter for 30 minutes until completely hardened.
- Once the pretzel rods have hardened, you can serve them on a large serving plate and enjoy.
Pretzel Rods Gift Packaging
- If you wish to gift the pretzel rods, you can package them individually.
- Place one pretzel rod in a clear bag specifically designed for pretzel rods and tie it with a twist tie. Now they are ready for gifting!
Nutrition
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