Halloween Treat | Chocolate Pretzel Rod Worms
A no-cook, easy Halloween treat, featuring chocolate covered pretzels and festive sprinkles.
Life is busy enough, isn't it? Don't get me wrong: The start of fall is absolutely my favorite time of year, but when the holiday marathon begins to roll through town, us moms have to move that shifter into overdrive and put the petal to the metal. It's party time. Literally. So. Many. Parties. So many programs. It can be tough to keep up. And, as much as we would all like to be crowned "Mom of the Year," we can't Betty Crocker every school function, now can we? No. Sometimes we need a little bit of a break; a little more free time, if you will. This festive Halloween treat will allow you to get into the kitchen and get out quick, without even having to turn on the oven, giving you more time to do...well, one of the other million items likely pending on your list.
CHOCOLATE WAFERS MAKE MELTING CHOCOLATE EASY
Halloween chocolate covered pretzels are made easy via the use of melting chocolate wafers (preferably Ghirardelli), not to be confused with chocolate chips. The wafers melt down easily and smooth, with no tempering required. Now, if you've ever worked with real chocolate, you know what a real treat this is. Chocolate can be extremely temperamental, seizing up with even the teensiest amount of contact with moisture. And, while I certainly wouldn't recommend working with a damp bowl or spoon when melting the wafers, candy wafers are significantly less finicky than chocolate bars and chips, and you will find melting them is quick and easy work. You just follow the directions as indicated on the package, and you're done. Chocolate is ready for dipping. Or drinking. Whatever.
HOW TO DIP PRETZEL RODS IN CHOCOLATE
Once the chocolate is melted, I found the easiest way to get a descent amount of coverage on the pretzel rod was to transfer the melted chocolate to a sturdy champagne flute. If you don't have one, you would just need to take a look around your kitchen for a somewhat tall and slender (and food-safe) container. From there you would simply dip your pretzel in the chocolate, and shake off as much excess chocolate as possible, allowing it to fall back into the vessel.
You should have a large sheet of wax paper ready at this point. You would then take the un-dipped side of the pretzel rod and gently tap it on the wax paper, allowing the chocolate to drape down the sides of the pretzel. Now, time for the fun part -- the sprinkles.
WHAT KIND OF SPRINKLES TO USE FOR CHOCOLATE-DIPPED TREATS
When it comes to decorating chocolate-dipped confections, avoid standard sprinkles, as they won't show up very well -- especially if you're using dark chocolate. The best decoration for chocolate covered treats are jimmies (they are skinny and look like miniature candy tubes) and nonpareils (tiny, little candy balls). Because these are Halloween treats, I also used small candy eyeballs, which gave them a slightly monster-y/worm-y look. And, I have to admit, I think the eyeballs are pretty essential to the look of this spooky, kid-friendly dessert.
ALLOW TIME FOR THE CHOCOLATE TO SET
Be sure and allow time for the chocolate on your Halloween treats to set. Melting the chocolate, dipping the pretzels and throwing on some sprinkles takes no time at all, however, you will need at least an hour for the chocolate to completely set on these bad boys.
So busy moms, this one is for you. Cause the fact is, if you can melt butter, you can make this super easy, super fast Halloween treat. Chocolate-covered pretzel rods make for excellent class party treats, and if you are a hostess with the mostess or a Halloween tablescape guru, it might peak you're interest to know pretzel rods will add a great deal of height to your spread. They are undeniably festive and pret-ty darn tasty too. The perfect addition to any Halloween party. Please, enjoy.
Ingredients:
4 ounces mixed Halloween jimmies and nonpareils
1 (10 ounce) package dark chocolate melting wafers (preferably Ghirardelli)
1 (12 ounce) package pretzel rods
1 (1 ounce) package small candy eye decals
Method:
Have ready a large work surface lined with wax paper. Combine jimmies, nonpareils and candy eye decals in a small bowl and set aside.
Melt the chocolate wafers according to package instructions, and transfer to a tall and slender (food-safe) container. Dip each pretzel in the chocolate, shaking off as much excess chocolate as possible. Take the un-dipped side of the pretzel rod and gently tap it on the wax paper, allowing the chocolate to drape down the sides of the pretzel. Sprinkle the chocolate dipped pretzel with decals and set on the wax paper to set.
Allow to set for about 1 hour. Once the chocolate is firm to the touch, serve and enjoy.
Makes about 20 Chocolate Pretzel Rod Worms.
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