Quick and Easy Crafts: Chocolate Pretzels, an Edible Craft

Chocolate pretzels are quick and easy to make. Many don't consider the project a craft, but it actually is. Did you know that Michael's Craft Store has an entire section dedicated to baking cakes and making candies? The pretzels, themselves, need to be purchased in your local grocery store, but the candy and chocolate selection is much better at your craft store.

The chocolate, or candy coating, for this project involves two different colors: white and milk chocolate. The selection at Michael's is different for the different seasons. For a batch I made in February, I used pink and white to celebrate Valentine's Day. They were as pretty as they were tasty.

The supplies needed for this edible craft project are:

1 bag of milk chocolate Candy Melts®1 bag of white chocolate Candy Melts®
1 bag of mini pretzels
2 small spatulas (for stirring)
2 metal forks (for decorating)
2 medium Pyrex, or microwave safe, bowls
Waxed or Parchment paper
Air tight storage container
Optional: Stickers, tissue paper and plain cookie tin

The first step of this project is to spread out a sheet of the waxed or parchment paper on your kitchen table. You will need a large surface area to give the pretzels sufficient time to dry before packaging. On a side note: this project is best to do in mild weather to allow the pretzels to dry. If it too hot, then they will not harden and will remain soft and make a mess.

Take the milk chocolate Candy Melts® and pour the candy disks into one microwave safe bowl. (You will want reserve about a handful of disks for later decorating use.) Follow the heating directions on the packaging for your area. (Use caution, the bowl will be very hot.) This candy coating is very simple to heat and when stirred, it becomes a silky smooth covering for your pretzels.

Once out of the microwave, let it sit for a minute or so while you open your bag of pretzels. Pour some of the pretzels out on to the paper for easy access.

Now, it is dipping time. Grab the side of the pretzel with your thumb and pointer finger and gently dip the pretzel in the chocolate. If it was heated correctly, then it will be nice and thin with no lumps. Not too thin, but perfect for dipping without being runny or clumpy. Only dip about 2/3 of the pretzel and then place on the paper to cool. Repeat until all of the chocolate is used.

Repeat the above steps for the white chocolate candy coating as well.

When the pretzels are dry, about 30 minutes or so, it is time to decorate them. Take the remaining disks of both colors and heat them in the corresponding bowls.

The last step of the pretzel making is to decorate you new little friends. For the white coated pretzels, lightly drizzle the milk chocolate coating on them. To do this, take your fork and dip it in the candy coating. Using smooth, fluid motions shake the fork over the pretzels. This will take practice, but you will get the hang of it. Remember, the ones you mess up on, or don't think are the prettiest ones there, can always be eaten as testers!

The fork is best for decorating this project because it holds the candy coating best. Using a spoon would cause large droplets or globs to fall instead of steady thin streams. When dry, the pretzels will lift cleanly from the waxed or parchment paper.

Repeat this for all of the pretzels. Remember: Do not eat too many. This may be a gift for someone!

While the pretzels dry, it is a good time to think of your storage container. If these are for you and your family, then you can always use one of your favorite cookie tins. If this is for a birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas or any other holiday present, you can always make a special tin for the recipient.

To do this, you can select from a variety of tins in the baking section of your craft store. Near the same area you selected your chocolate.

One year, I selected a white pail shaped tin and decorated it with birthday stickers for a friend of mine. He loved it.

This is a great project for kids to make because it requires almost no electricity and they can get very creative with their designs; no only on the pretzels, but also on the decorating of the tins. They can make them for any holiday or just for fun.

For other great quick and easy craft ideas, try: Family Name Front Door Plaque and Favorite Character Clock

Sources:
Personal Experience
Michael's Craft Store and www.michaels.com