April 7, Dessert Pretzels for Easter

Dessert Pretzels

 During Holy Week we will be making some devotional crafts and some traditional foods. Today we are making dessert pretzels. A few days ago we made regular pretzels and learned a little about the history of the pretzel and the significance of its shape. (See Saturday, April 4).

 There are many recipes for traditional pretzels just as there are for dessert pretzels. The recipe we are using today is a very easy one using store-bought pretzels, candy melts, chocolate chips and candy sprinkles. Today I am using pink candy melts, light chocolate candy melts and Nestles Chocolate Chips. Before Easter Sunday, I plan to make another batch using yellow, light green and turquoise candy melts for added Spring colors. Below you will find the recipe with directions. I do recommend using larger pretzels for younger children than the ones pictured here. Little fingers need the largest pretzels you can find! Be sure to have an apron or old shirt for your little ones. This can get a bit messy, but it is lots of fun. And of course, have extra pretzels on hand for everyone to munch on!

Don't forget to tie in the relationship between the shape of the pretzel and the importance of talking to Jesus (prayer). Holy Week offers us the opportunity to talk to Jesus often, especially Holy Week 2020 when we do not have any Church services to observe Christ's Passion and Death.

Close-up of chocolate-covered Easter Pretzel

Easter Pretzels and Pretzel Rods

Recipe for Chocolate Covered Easter Pretzels

Ingredients

25 pretzel twists or more - you chose the size 

6 ounces chocolate chips or candy melts, Spring colors

1/2 cup of sprinkles

1 teaspoon shortening or more for chocolate chips, not for candy melts

Aluminium foil to covered a large cookie sheet for dipped pretzels

Directions

1. Place the chocolate or candy melts in a microwave bowl. Add shortening if you are using chocolate chips. Do not add shortening to candy melts.

2. Microwave in 30 second increments or until chocolate has melted and is smooth. Remove from microwave.

3. Place the pretzels one at a time into the bowl of melted chocolate. Coat on one side, then with a plastic spoon or toothpick turn and coat on the other side. Using the plastic spoon, lift the chocolate covered pretzel out of the coating and let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Place the pretzel on an aluminium foil covered cookie sheet. 

4. Top each pretzel with colored sprinkles. 

5. Repeat the process. 

6. Let the pretzels sit until the coating has harden. Place in an airtight container and serve on Easter. Pretzels remain good in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Enjoy!