Christmas Pretzel Bites (Grinch Style!)

These adorable Christmas pretzels are packed with gooey caramel, crunchy pretzels and deliciously sweet chocolate are the perfect combination. These sweet treats are perfect for holiday parties and cookie trays, and remind me of the Grinch! You only need five ingredients for this dessert, and the kids can help make this easy treat too.

 

Why We Love Grinch Pretzel Bites

You guys, everyone’s faces just light up when they saw this festive treat at the holiday party. They were so cute tucked into cookie tins as neighbor gifts, they make adorable treat bags, and are the easiest holiday treats!

Ingredients For Christmas Pretzel Bites

• Mini Pretzels
• Soft Caramels – We used Werther’s soft caramels, but any soft caramels will work.
• Green Candy Melts – To get the perfect green color, we used a mix of Wilton bright green candy melts (1 cups) and Wilton’s green candy melts (1/4 cup.) Candy melts are similar to white chocolate that has already had the color added, and is easier to work with than coloring melted chocolate.
• Red Heart Shaped Sprinkles

How To Make Christmas Pretzel Bites

1. Preheat the oven to 375. Line a baking sheet (also known as a cookie sheet) with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Unwrap the caramels and cut them in half.
3. Lay 24 of the pretzels in a single layer on the baking sheet. Add a caramel piece to the top of each pretzel.

4. Place the pan in the oven for about 5 minutes or until caramels are softened.
5. Remove from the pan from the oven. Quickly press the remaining pretzels into the caramel.Allow the pretzels to cool completely.
6. Place the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave the candy melts at fifty percent power for 30 seconds to a minute at a time. Keep heating in 30 second increments and stirring until the candy melts are smooth.

7. Dip the pretzels in the candy melts to cover about two-thirds of each pretzel candy. Place the pretzel back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. (or you can use wax paper at this step if needed.) Add a heart-shaped sprinkle to each pretzel while the candy melts are still warm. Let cool and enjoy your holiday pretzels!

Can I Use White Chocolate Instead of Candy Melts?

It is not very easy to color white chocolate but it is possible. Chocolate easily seizes up and becomes hard and grainy when any liquid is added to it, which includes food coloring.

If you want to dye regular white chocolate with food coloring you can find instructions here. Leave yourself extra time to use white chocolate, it’s a much longer process than using candy melts. You will also need a double boiler with this method.

How Did You Get That Great Green Color?

I used 1 cup of the Wilton vibrant green candy melts and 1/4 cup of the Wilton Green candy melts (sometimes called Dark Green) mixing the two colors together. This gave me the perfect green color.

Any green candy melts can work in this recipe though. Candy melts can be found in the cake decorating section of most craft stores like Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. They are also found in the grocery store sometimes in the seasonal section, but this can vary from store to store. 

Variation Ideas

• Drizzle Green And Red Candy Melts– Instead of dipping these gooey pretzels, you could simply drizzle green and red chocolate over top like I did for these Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs. Christmas sprinkles are also a fun addition!
• Use Chocolate Caramels– You can use chocolate caramels like Rolo’s candy, like I did for these easy pretzel turtle candies.
• Drizzle Milk Chocolate– You can add some more fun by drizzling milk chocolate or dark chocolate before dipping these pretzels in the green candy melts.
• Add Nuts– Instead of the top pretzel, press a pecan, walnut or even a peanut into the top of each caramel when they are hot. Then dip and decorate! You could also sprinkle the caramel with a few finely chopped nuts before adding the pretzels.
• Use Pretzel Rods– It gets a little trickier to add the caramel, but you can totally use pretzel rods. Warm the caramel then drizzle over the pretzels. Once cool, place the melted green candy melts in a tall cup and dip the pretzels then add heart sprinkles.
• Use Square Pretzels– Square pretzels or round pretzels work just as well as regular pretzels for this sweet treat.

How Do I Store These Chocolate Pretzels?

Store pretzels in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature.

These pretzels can also be frozen for up to two months for the best flavor and freshness. Let them defrost on the counter before serving.