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These Easter pretzel treats merge crunchy salted pretzels with velvety chocolate, fashioned into cute spring animals. I've tweaked these playful snacks over many batches for family gatherings and gift baskets, and now they're just right – they're just as enjoyable to craft as they are to munch on.
When I made these with my niece last Easter, I couldn't help but smile watching her excitement as we turned ordinary pretzels into tiny bunnies and sheep. My top tip? Grab high-quality melting chocolate for the best coating texture.
Key Ingredients
- Pretzels: Square shapes are ideal for animal designs, though mini twists work great for simpler decorated versions.
- Premium Melting Chocolate: White and dark chocolate melting discs give you the best finish. Don't try using normal chocolate chips – they won't harden correctly.
- Candy Eyes: Go for the tiny ones to fit our animal faces perfectly.
- Sprinkles: Get white nonpareils for sheep wool and pastel colors for extra touches.
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Step-by-Step Guide
- Getting Chocolate Ready
- Melt your chocolate in separate bowls at a low temp. Keep stirring until it's completely smooth. Your melted chocolate should look shiny but shouldn't be too hot.
- Making Bunnies
- Cover each pretzel fully in white chocolate. Gently tap off any extra coating. Set on a lined tray. Stick a round sprinkle on for the nose while still wet. Add the face details after the base dries a bit. Draw the whiskers at the very end with a food marker.
- Crafting Sheep
- Dip pretzels in white chocolate. Roll in nonpareils right away while the chocolate is still sticky. Then add the dark chocolate face and ears. Put on the candy eyes before everything hardens. Use a toothpick to shape the ears nicely.
I first tried making these when I wanted a kid-friendly Easter activity that wouldn't turn my kitchen upside down.
Cooling Times
Your chocolate will set up fast in the fridge, but don't cool them too long or they'll get damp. About 2-3 minutes works best.
Planning Your Decorating
Getting all your decorations lined up before starting helps everything go faster. I like to create a little production line with all my supplies.
Prepare in Advance
You can make these several days ahead and they actually pack well in baskets or boxes for gifting.
Fun Alternatives
Beyond bunnies and sheep, you might try yellow candy melts for little chicks or use pastel colors to create spring flowers.
Each time I whip up these Easter pretzels, I'm struck by how often it's the basic treats that bring the biggest happiness. Whether you're making them with little ones or fixing them for an Easter party, they'll surely put grins on everyone's faces.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I try using other chocolates?
- Sure, swap it for all dark (350g) or milk chocolate (500g), but white chocolate won’t work well with the butter and syrup.
- → What’s the shelf life for these?
- They’ll be good for more than a week when stored right.
- → Is it okay to use another cereal?
- Absolutely, replace Shredded Wheat with any cereal of your choice using around 80-100g.
- → What if I skip the golden syrup?
- If you don’t have syrup, just stick with chocolate minus the butter and syrup.
- → Can I make them in paper cases?
- Of course, you can shape the nests directly in cupcake liners instead of placing them on a tray.