Once the pretzels are arranged, I place one Hershey Kiss in the center of each pretzel. There’s something so relaxing about filling a whole tray—it feels like holiday crafting in edible form. Then I pop the tray into a warm oven at 200°F for about 4 minutes. I’ve found that 4 minutes is ideal; the chocolate softens perfectly without losing its shape.
As soon as I remove the tray from the oven, I begin pressing one M&M into the center of each softened Kiss. This part is my favorite because the chocolate sinks slightly, and the candies settle in so neatly. Be gentle, though—I pressed too hard once and ended up with chocolate oozing over the edges, which still tasted great but looked messy. After topping them all, I add a shower of Christmas sprinkles while the chocolate is still warm.
Finally, I let the pretzel bites cool completely. If I’m in a hurry, I stick the whole tray in the fridge for 10 minutes. Once the chocolate firms up, they pop right off the parchment and become the cutest little holiday treats. I always sneak one as soon as they harden—they’re the perfect combination of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolatey.
Pro Tips for Best Results
I tested this recipe three different ways, and the best trick I learned is not to overheat the chocolate. One batch melted for too long, and the Kisses turned chalky instead of silky. Keeping a close eye on the oven timer prevents that and keeps the chocolate glossy and smooth.
Another thing I learned the hard way is that humidity affects how the chocolate sets. One rainy December day, the pretzel bites stayed soft much longer, so now when the weather is humid, I pop the tray into the fridge sooner to help them firm up. It makes a noticeable difference in how cleanly they hold their shape.
If you like your pretzel bites extra decorative, sort your M&M’s beforehand. It sounds silly, but when I take a few minutes to separate the red and green candies into small bowls, the assembly process becomes faster and more enjoyable. It’s also a great step if kids are helping in the kitchen.
Finally, if you’re planning to give these as gifts, make them a day ahead. I’ve noticed that the chocolate flavor deepens slightly overnight, and they hold up beautifully. Just store them properly so they stay crisp.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The first mistake I ever made with these was overheating the Kisses. I left them in the oven an extra minute, thinking it would help them melt faster, but it actually made them crack and dry out. Don’t do what I did—stick to the 4-minute rule.(See the next page below to continue…)