Reindeer Pretzel Rods

5 from 2 votes

Reindeer Pretzel Rods are delightful and salty holiday snacks that kids will like making and eating. This 10-minute recipe is made with only 5 ingredients.

Prep Time10

Set Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: rods

Calories: 174kcal

Author: Jennifer Fishkind

Ingredients

12 ounce package meltable milk or dark chocolate (these can be found in the baking aisle at craft stores)
20-24 large pretzel rods (about one package)
Candy eyeballs
Red candy pearls (found in the baking aisle at craft stores) If you cannot find these, red m&m’s, sixlets, or cinnamon candies will work
16 ounce package pretzel twists

Instructions

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Place the meltable chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval until the chocolate has completely melted. (If you do not have meltable chocolate pieces, you can use chocolate chips and heat them over a double broiler until they’re melted and smooth).
You can pour the chocolate into a tall glass or keep it in the microwave safe bowl. Slowly dip one end of the pretzel rods into the chocolate, making sure to cover about half of the rod. Place the rod on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place two candy eyes and a red pearl on the chocolate. Set them in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to harden. Set the melting chocolate aside, as you will use this later.
While the rods are setting in the refrigerator, place a few pretzel twists on a cutting board. With a straight edge knife, gently cut pieces of the twists to make the antlers. Many pieces will break, but you’ll only need enough pieces so that each reindeer has two.
After ten minutes, pull the baking tray out of the refrigerator and set aside.
If the melting chocolate has hardened, reheat it in the microwave in 30 second increments. Once the chocolate has reheated, pour it into a piping bag or sandwich bag and cut the tip off of the bag. *see note in “tips” section.
Turn the rod around to the back side and pipe a small amount of chocolate onto the back. Place the pretzel “antlers” into the chocolate and set the rod aside to harden once more. Once you have affixed all of the antlers to the rods, return the baking tray to the refrigerator and let set for another 10 minutes.
Remove after 10 minutes and serve.

Notes

Storage:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for as long as they will last!

Tips:

If you have broken pieces of the large pretzel sticks, you can always turn them into “baby reindeer”.
It is wise to get the 16-ounce package of pretzel twists due to many breaking incorrectly when cutting them for antlers. The leftover pieces can be used in other recipes or as snacks!
When cutting the tip off of the sandwich bag, the cut should be very small. You only want a small amount coming out at a time.

Nutrition