Sweet & Festive Christmas Pretzel Hugs Recipe for Holiday Joy

Sweet and salty christmas pretzel hugs dance together in this irresistible treat that promises pure holiday magic.

Tiny twists of crunchy pretzels become the perfect canvas for chocolate-drizzled delights.

Melted Hershey’s kisses create a smooth blanket over each salty base, turning simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Soft chocolate nestles into crisp pretzel platforms, creating a harmony of textures that sings of festive cheer.

You’ll love how quickly these morsels come together with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Kids and adults cannot resist these bite-sized wonders that sparkle with seasonal spirit.

One taste will have everyone reaching for just one more delectable morsel of christmas joy.

What Makes Christmas Pretzel Hugs a Seasonal Favorite

• Create a crowd-pleasing snack with only three ingredients and simple steps.
• Engage children in a fun, no-bake (almost) activity that develops culinary skills and creates sweet memories.
• Package these colorful, sweet-and-salty treats in cute containers for a homemade gift that spreads Christmas cheer.

What You’ll Need to Create Christmas Pretzel Hugs

• Square Pretzels: Crunchy base that provides a salty contrast to the sweet chocolate.
• Chocolate Hugs or Kisses: Soft chocolate that melts gently to create a smooth topping.
• M&M Candies: Colorful chocolate candies that add festive decoration and extra sweetness.

• Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface that prevents ingredients from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Baking Sheet: Flat pan that helps evenly distribute heat and supports pretzel arrangement.

• Festive Bowl: Decorative container for presenting the finished treats.
• Gift Packaging: Optional wrapping for sharing the Christmas Pretzel Hugs with friends and family.

How to Make Festive Christmas Pretzel Hugs

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Adjust your oven rack to the lowest position. Switch the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 93 degrees Celsius to create a gentle heating environment.

Step 2: Prepare The Baking Surface

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread square pretzels across the surface in a single layer without overlapping.

Step 3: Position Chocolate Kisses

Carefully unwrap chocolate hugs or kisses. Gently center one piece on top of each pretzel, ensuring stable placement.

Step 4: Softly Melt Chocolate

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Watch closely for 5-7 minutes until chocolate becomes slightly glossy and soft but maintains its shape.

Step 5: Add Colorful Crunch

Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Press a festive M&M into the center of each softened chocolate, allowing it to sink slightly.

Step 6: Cooling Magic

Allow treats to rest at room temperature until chocolate completely sets. For faster results, transfer to refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes.

Step 7: Present Your Treats

Transfer chocolate pretzel hugs to a decorative serving platter or package in clear gift bags tied with holiday ribbons.

Pro Tips for Christmas Pretzel Hugs That Look Store-Bought

• Gentle Melting Technique: Use extremely low oven temperature to softly melt chocolate without burning, ensuring smooth and perfect chocolate coverage.
• Strategic Placement Matters: Space pretzels evenly on parchment paper to prevent sticking and guarantee even chocolate distribution.
• Watch Chocolate Closely: Monitor chocolate closely during baking since even 30 seconds can change texture from soft to fully melted.
• Quick Cooling Trick: Refrigerate treats for faster setting if you're short on time, helping chocolate harden quickly for immediate enjoyment.
• Gift-Ready Presentation: Package these treats in festive containers or clear bags with ribbons for beautiful homemade holiday gifts that look professionally made.

Storing Christmas Pretzel Hugs for Gifting or Snacking

• Store cooled pretzel hugs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Keep at room temperature for 2-3 days in a sealed container, away from direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain chocolate's texture.
• Carefully place pretzel hugs in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-term storage.
• Gently warm at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore chocolate's smooth consistency and prevent cracking.

Tasty Treats That Go Well with Christmas Pretzel Hugs

• Warm hot chocolate or creamy eggnog complements the chocolate and salty pretzel combination, enhancing the festive treat's rich flavors.
• Classic sugar cookies or gingerbread will create a delightful holiday dessert spread, offering guests multiple sweet textures and tastes.
• Spiced chai latte or peppermint mocha adds warmth and seasonal charm, balancing the crunchy pretzel and smooth chocolate elements.
• Include roasted nuts, fruit cake slices, and cheese cubes to provide variety and contrast to the sweet and salty pretzel hugs.

Festive Flavor Swaps for Christmas Pretzel Hugs

• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap chocolate hugs with dairy-free white or dark chocolate alternatives, using vegan kisses or dairy-free chocolate drops for those with lactose sensitivities.
• Nut-Free Version: Replace traditional pretzels with gluten-free pretzel twists, ensuring safe consumption for individuals with nut allergies by using nut-free M&Ms.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free chocolate alternatives and stevia-sweetened M&Ms to create a diabetic-friendly version that maintains the festive flavor profile.
• Seasonal Spin: Customize M&M colors to match different holidays, using red and green for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween, keeping the basic recipe consistent.

Christmas Pretzel Hugs Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 60 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Pretzel Hugs blend salty-sweet magic with holiday cheer. Chocolate-kissed pretzels make merry moments delicious for family gatherings and seasonal celebrations you’ll treasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 60 square pretzels (Snyders Snaps)
• 60 Hershey’s Hugs
• 60 red and green M&M’s

Toppings:

• No additional toppings

Preparation Ingredients:

• No additional preparation ingredients

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a clean and non-stick surface for creating these festive treats.
2. Preheat the oven to a gentle 200F (93C), creating the perfect low-temperature environment for delicately softening chocolate.
3. Arrange square pretzels in a uniform single layer across the parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning them with small gaps between each pretzel.
4. Carefully unwrap chocolate hugs or kisses, placing one precisely centered on top of each individual pretzel.
5. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven, monitoring the chocolates for 5-7 minutes until they become soft and slightly glossy but not completely melted.
6. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven, using gentle pressure to press a colorful M&M into the center of each softened chocolate, allowing it to sink slightly into the melted surface.
7. Allow the pretzel hugs to rest at room temperature, giving the chocolate sufficient time to solidify and create a smooth, appealing texture.
8. For quicker cooling, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes, helping the chocolate set more rapidly.
9. Once completely cooled and set, transfer the Christmas Pretzel Hugs to a decorative serving dish or package them as delightful homemade gifts for loved ones.

Notes

• Maintain precise oven temperature to prevent chocolate from burning or seizing.
• Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up of the treats.
• Work quickly when placing M&Ms to ensure smooth chocolate surface.
• Refrigeration can help set chocolate faster during humid or warm weather conditions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 60
• Calories: 45
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 30mg
• Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0.5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg