I was scrambling for a last-minute treat for my kid’s school party when I stumbled upon the idea for these pretzels. With just three ingredients and a microwave, I was skeptical but desperate. In less than ten minutes, my kitchen counter was transformed into a holiday workshop, filled with the sweet, minty scent of melting candy and the satisfying crunch of crushed peppermint. Dipping the salty pretzels into the glossy white coating and sprinkling them with red bits felt more like a fun craft project than cooking. The first taste—a perfect harmony of salty, sweet, crunchy, and cool—was a revelation. They’ve since become our non-negotiable, easiest, and most festive holiday tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You will love this recipe because it is the ultimate in accessible, no-fail holiday baking. It requires zero baking skills, minimal cleanup, and can be done with kids in about the time it takes to watch a cartoon special. The result is a stunning, addictive treat that looks like you spent hours decorating, but your secret is safe with me. They’re the perfect combination of playful and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz) bag white candy melts or white almond bark
- 1 (10-12 oz) bag mini pretzel twists or about 4 cups of pretzel snaps/crisps
- 4-6 standard-sized candy canes or ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (optional, but trust me—do it!)
Let’s break this down. White candy melts or almond bark are essential because they are formulated to melt smoothly and set firmly without tempering. I’ve tried white chocolate chips, and they often seize up or don’t set as crisply. For the pretzels, mini twists are classic and easy to dip, but I’ve grown to love using the flat “pretzel snaps” – they create a perfect canvas for the coating and are less likely to break. The peppermint extract is my secret weapon; it boosts the mint flavor from the candy cane topping into the coating itself, making a huge difference.(See the next page below to continue…)