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Playdate Pretzels

Growing up, I was always taught that when invited to someone’s house, you should never show up empty handed. It’s good manners, and a way to show gratitude. When I was a child, my grandmother and I would stop at a certain little family-owned bakery to pick up something to take when we visited my cousins. It was just something that I knew you had to do.

I can’t say that I’ve always been perfect at following this rule. I wish I could. What I can say is that the older I get, the harder I try to always arrive with something — small or big. It’s something that I am trying to teach my kids too.

When Will was invited over to his friend’s house this weekend while Paige and I went to a birthday party, I knew I wanted to bring something. But as much as I love a good batch of cookies, I just didn’t have it in me to whip up a batch. I needed a simple, fast and easy recipe that would be fun but not bad for you.

Suddenly it hit me: mini chocolate covered pretzels using leftover candy melts, old fashioned dipping stick pretzels and sprinkles.

This is a great way to use up leftover candy melts, if you have them in your cupboard. I had half a bag of these bright leafy green ones, which were perfect for making a funky snack for my son and his friend. I used coordinating dolphin sprinkles with them too to give the pretzels a little element of fun. If you don’t have candy melts, any chocolate will do.

First, you melt the candy melts or chocolate. This is a cinch to do in the microwave. You just nuke the chocolate for 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until its totally melted and stirred smooth.

Then you dip the pretzels. If you want the chocolate to reach up higher on the pretzels, use a rubber spatula to nudge it up.

Finally, you sprinkle ’em with sprinkles. Whatever you have will do — rainbow, chocolate shots, butterflies.

Let them cool on a tray (in the fridge for a faster cooling period) and they are ready to enjoy. All in all, this is a 40 minute snack — with just 10 minutes hands on (at most!). Not bad, right?

Do you make a point to show up with a little something when you are going to someone’s house?

Playdate Pretzels

Playdate Pretzels

Yield: servings vary
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes

Ingredients

  • chocolate candy melts, (available at craft stores)
  • dipping stick pretzels, (short rods)
  • sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Set aside.
  2. Put the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until melted and smooth.
  3. Dip each of the pretzels into the melted candy melts. If necessary, use a rubber spatula to push the chocolate up the pretzels. Lay each one on the baking sheet. Once you've dipped all the pretzels you plan to do (Be quick! Time is of the essence here), sprinkle liberally with sprinkles of your choice.
  4. Let the chocolate fully harden before serving. For quick hardening, stick the tray in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Kate

Wednesday 16th of November 2011

I grew up with the same rule - never arrive emptyhanded!

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