These Reindeer Pretzels are salty, sweet, and almost too cute to eat! This festive treat is sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
I’m back with yet another super simple, cutesy recipe for all the non-crafty mamas like me! I mean. Come ON! These reindeer pretzels couldn’t be cuter. Bonus: they’re easy enough to let the kiddos help (if you’re feeling messy) and they make a great last minute holiday dessert.
Ingredients
4 ingredients and you’ve got the most festive Christmas treat!
- Pretzels – these reindeer pretzels have been testing using both mini twists and pretzel sticks; depends on the look you’re going for! Use one or use a combination of both like we did!
- Chocolate – if making the reindeer sticks, you’ll need melting chocolate for dunking. Any melting chocolate will work, although I love candiquick or almond bark, because they melt incredibly well. If using chocolate or chocolate chips (dark, milk, or semi-sweet), you may need to stir in a little neutral flavored oil to ensure a smooth finish! If making the mini twist reindeer, you’ll need rolos or hershey kisses (any flavor!). Mini reese’s or even dove squares may work as well.
- Candy Eyes – these can be found on Amazon, at Target, or pretty much any craft store. You can use white frosting in a pinch if you can’t find the candy eyes.
- M&Ms – or any other small, hard red candy will do such as red hots! The M&M or other red candy will make up the nose to our reindeer.
How to make
These reindeer pretzels can be made with a variety of different ingredients depending on the look/taste you’re going for!
How to make using pretzel sticks
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and set aside.
- Get your ingredients prepped by counting out the pretzels, candy eyes, and M&Ms.
- Melt chocolate of choice until smooth (this can be done on the stove or in the microwave).
- Working with 2 pretzels at a time, dunk 2/3rds of the way in the chocolate, then place them side-by-side onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Place on the candy eyes and nose, then repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Once all the reindeer have been assembled, place the baking sheet in the fridge until the chocolate has hardened.
How to make using pretzel twists
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and set aside.
- Get your ingredients prepped by unwrapping the rolos (or hershey kisses), counting out the pretzels (you’ll need 2 twists per reindeer), candy eyes, and M&Ms.
- Use a sharp knife to cut half the pretzels twists in half (these become our antlers).
- Place the remaining uncut pretzels twists in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, then top each pretzel with a rolo (or hershey kiss).
- Bake in preheated oven for 2 minutes, or until the candy has begun to soften (don’t over-bake or you’ll make a mess).
- Remove from the oven and immediately add the pretzel antlers by gently pushing into melted chocolate, then place on the eyes and nose.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients, then place the baking sheet in the fridge until the candies have hardened.
Tips
- Get organized. Before you melt your chocolate and/or bake your candies, be sure the remaining ingredients have been prepped: unwrap the chocolate, count out the eyes and nose, etc. Using melted chocolate requires working quickly, so this makes the process much smoother.
- Mix it up. Use a variety of different chocolates, candies, and pretzels! Not only is it fun to taste different flavors, it’s also visually appealing.
- Make as much or as little as you’d like. Since all of these ingredients come in bulk, feel free to make a couple to munch on yourself or make a bunch for a party! Whatever isn’t used can be stored for later for other recipes.
- Let the chocolate harden. Once all the reindeer have been assembled, it’s important to let the chocolate harden to keep the reindeer intact.
How to store
Leftovers will last in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week, in the fridge for 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 3 months.
To enjoy again, thaw in the fridge if frozen then devour straight from the fridge or bring to room temperature.
– Jennifer
Reindeer Pretzels
These Reindeer Pretzels are salty, sweet, and almost too cute to eat! This festive treat is sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Yield: 1 reindeer pretzel
Equipment for this recipe
(equipment shown are affiliate links)
Ingredients
Reindeer Pretzel Sticks
- Pretzel sticks
- Melted chocolate candi-quick or almond bark work best, but melted chocolate chips mixed with a little oil will also work
- Candy eyes
- Red M&Ms or other small, hard red candies such as red hots
Reindeer Pretzel Twists
- Mini pretzel twists
- Rolos or Hershey kisses mini Reese’s or Dove squares may also work
- Candy eyes
- Red M&Ms or other small, hard red candies such as red hots
Instructions
Reindeer Pretzel Sticks
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and set aside.
- Get the ingredients prepped by counting out the desired amount of pretzels, candy eyes, and M&Ms: for each reindeer you’ll need 2 pretzels, 2 eyes, and 1 M&M.
- Melt chocolate of choice until smooth (this can be done on the stove or in the microwave).
- Working with 2 pretzels at a time, dunk 2/3rds of the way in the chocolate, then place them side-by-side onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Place on the candy eyes and nose, then repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Once all the reindeer have been assembled, place the baking sheet in the fridge until the chocolate has hardened, about 1 hour.
- Enjoy immediately or store for later in an airtight container!
Reindeer Pretzel Twists
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and set aside.
- Get your ingredients prepped by unwrapping the rolos (or hershey kisses, etc.) and counting out the pretzels, candy eyes, and M&Ms: for each reindeer you’ll need 2 pretzels (one will be the face outline and one will be the antlers), 1 rolo (the face), 2 eyes, and 1 M&M (the nose).
- Use a sharp knife to cut half the pretzel twists in half (these become our antlers).
- Place the remaining (uncut) pretzels twists in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, then top each pretzel with a rolo (or hershey kiss).
- Bake in preheated oven for 2 minutes, or until the candy has begun to soften (don't over-bake or you'll make a mess).
- Remove from the oven and immediately add the pretzel antlers by gently pushing them into the melted chocolate, then place on the eyes and nose.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients, then place the baking sheet in the fridge until the candies have hardened, about 1 hour.
- Enjoy immediately or store for later in an airtight container!
- Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!
STORING
Room Temp:1 Week
Refrigerator:2 Weeks
Freezer:3 Months
Reheat:Thaw in fridge if frozen
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions
Notes
The best way to make these reindeer is to look at the photos in the post! Nutritional information is a very rough guesstimate on 1 reindeer pretzel using two mini pretzel twists, 1 rolo, 2 candy eyes, and 1 M&M.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Reindeer Pretzels
Amount Per Serving (1 reindeer pretzel)
Calories 82 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 157mg7%
Potassium 33mg1%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 2IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 15mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Keywords: christmas candy, christmas craft, christmas dessert, reindeer dessert
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