Homemade Food Gifts: Chocolate Covered Pretzels

This Christmas, we’re a little cash-poor, so I decided that the majority of the family are getting food gifts from us. I did peanut butter fudge, as I do every year, but wanted to add in something different and a little bit special. What I came up with was gourmet style chocolate covered pretzel rods. You know, the kind that they sell in the candy shops at exorbitant prices?

Once you see how easy these are to make, you’ll never want to spend another dollar (or five) on the ones at your favorite chocolate store again! You’ll have a fabulous treat for your own family or a special gift to give your friends or loved ones.

All you need to do is melt half of a bag of chocolate or white chocolate chips in a double boiler. I improvised with a glass bowl on top of a pot of water, just be careful that the water doesn’t get into the chocolate or it will seize up. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, simple dip pretzel rods into the chocolate, smoothing it over about 2/3 of the rod. You can roll them in sprinkles, crushed candy or drizzle another type of chocolate on them, then lay them on wax paper to harden.

I used a combination of colored sprinkles, chocolate jimmies, and crushed Heath bars on mine, with both white and semi-sweet chocolate bases.  I thought the variety would be a nice touch to the gifts.

Once they were finished, I put them in clear gift bags and tied them up with ribbon. Alongside the bags of fudge I will be giving, I think this is a fast and easy holiday gift that will please any chocolate lover in your life!

If you’re looking for a last minute holiday gift, I hope this helped to inspire you! Happy Holidays!