I am always looking for nice, inexpensive gifts to give loved ones. This year is no different. Since we are still waiting on the sale of our other house things are a little tight money-wise so we just can’t afford to spend a lot of money on Christmas.
So I started looking into things that we could make here at home. Over Thanksgiving, my aunt introduced me to the art of candy making. We originally started out making cake pops, but the next day I decided to try my hand at making chocolate covered pretzels. My husband loves chocolate covered pretzels, so he gladly offered to eat any mistake batches 🙂
I started out by going to Joann Fabrics to get my supplies. To make it even better, I went the Saturday after Thanksgiving so they were having a fantastic sale. Be sure to keep an eye out for sales or take one of the 40% off of one item coupons from the Sunday paper. So here is what I purchased:
- Wilton meltable chocolate wafers ($2.99/bag)
- Crushed candy cane ($3.99/bag)
- Pretzel Rods ($2.50/bag)
- Pretzel rod bags
- Ribbon
- Measuring cup
I began by putting a handful of the chocolate wafers into the measuring glass. Using a microwave is a much quicker way to melt the chocolate as opposed to a double boiler. I begin by microwaving the chocolate for 30 seconds on high. I then take out the measuring glass and stir the chocolate. Then I put the chocolate back in for another 30 seconds, afterwards stirring. Do this until all of the chocolate is melted.
After the chocolate has melted, I roll the pretzel rod in the measuring glass until it is about 2/3 covered. As soon as I take the pretzel out, I hold the end that hasn’t been dipped in chocolate and sprinkle the candy cane bits on it. I recommend putting a bowl underneath the pretzel to catch the bits. This not only keeps you from making a mess, but also you don’t waste any bits. Of course, the candy cane bits are optional but it gives it a nice peppermint bark taste.
The next part was a little bit of trial and error for me, but I think I found something that works pretty well. You need to put the pretzels in the refrigerator so that the chocolate can harden. I originally tried to put the rods in a glass measuring cup, but the cup wasn’t supportive enough and the top-heavy pretzels kept flipping out of the cup. Then I got the idea to try putting the pretzels in shot glasses.
For some reason we seem to have an overabundance of shot glasses that we had either picked up as souvenirs from places we went or ones that other people had gotten us. Most of the time they just sit in the cupboard collecting dust, so this is a perfect use. I put a pretzel into each glass and then put them in the refrigerator.
After the chocolate had hardened in the refrigerator you are good to take the pretzel out and put it into either a pretzel bag (if you are giving it as a gift) or in a container (if you are keeping it for yourself). You can tie a pretty red ribbon on it and you have made an ideal, and easy, Christmas gift!
Do you ever make Christmas gifts for loved ones?
