Easter Pretzel Rods Tutorial

Easter pretzel rods make a fun addition to your Easter party food or a great Easter basket stuffer.

Chocolate covered pretzels are delicious and relatively easy to make. These Easter themed pretzel rods are a little hard but not too difficult for you and the kids to make together.

Related: See more Easter Basket Theme Ideas.

Making decorated pretzel rods

The basic ingredients for decorated pretzel rods are:

• Pretzel rods
• White candy melts, white chocolate morsels, or vanilla almond bark
• Brown candy melts, milk chocolate morsels, or chocolate-flavored almond bark

You will also need:

• Microwave-safe bowl (for melting coating)
• Spoon (for pouring coating over pretzels)
• Waxed paper (for resting the pretzels as they dry)

Melting candy in the microwave is tricky. Too hot or too long and the candy becomes a clumpy, hard mess.

Related: Get Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas

One solution for candy that has become too hot and hardened is to add 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening or coconut oil to help thin the candy, stirring until the candy is smooth. This does change the texture of the candy but creates a pretty sheen on the candy after it hardens.

Be aware that adding any other type of liquid to the candy will make it seize and harden. Even one drop of water in your mixing bowl or on your spatula can create a chocolate disaster.

If you prefer a more predictable method, you can use a candy melting pot or double boiler to make your Easter pretzel rods.

Candy Melting Pot

Melting chocolate at the correct temperature ensures that your pretzel rods are evenly coated and avoid discoloration. Most chocolatiers recommend “tempering” chocolate which involves melting the chocolate slowly and in small batches.

A candy melting pot helps recreate the needed environment for correctly melted chocolate. I like this one by Wilton because it is easy to find in stores but this one at Amazon has great reviews, comes with additional tools, and has a better price.

Double Boiler

If you prefer melting chocolate the old-fashioned way, a double boiler is essential.

Most double boilers are universal, meaning they will fit over any sauce pot. Heat water to boiling in a sauce pan and then place the double boiler over the pot. Add chocolate and stir until melted.

However, make sure the inside of the double boiler stays dry so the chocolate does not come in contact with even a drop of water. Water is the nemesis of melted chocolate, causing it to harden into an unusable rock.

How to make Easter Pretzel Rods

To make these adorable Easter Pretzel rods, you will need:

• Pretzel rods
• White candy melts, white chocolate morsels, or vanilla almond bark
• Green candy melts
• Yellow candy melts
• Orange candy melts

Assorted sprinkles and sanding sugars such as:

• Orange nonpareils
• Yellow nonpareils
• Confetti sprinkles
• Spring flowers sprinkles

1. Melt the candy coating according to package directions giving special care not to overheat the candy. If the candy coating is overheated, it will be too thick. You can add 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening or coconut oil to help thin the candy but do not add any other type of liquid as the candy will seize and harden.

2. Pour candy coating over two-thirds of the pretzel rod and shake gently to remove excess. If applying sprinkles, do so immediately rotating the pretzel rods to coat all sides. Larger sprinkles work best if placed individually.

3. Place pretzel rod on waxed paper or cooling rack. (Cook’s notes: Waxed paper makes for easier release.)

4. If drizzling with additional colored candy melts, allow initial candy coating to set completely. Then, use a spoon or fork to drizzle candy coating over the pretzel rods. Before the pretzel sets, gently pick it up and move to clean wax paper.

5. Let pretzel rods dry completely before packaging or serving.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Placing in the refrigerator may cause the pretzel to soften.

Enjoy!

You might also like these Easter ideas for the family:

• Non-Candy Easter Basket Stuffer Ideas
• Upcycled Tissue Box Easter Basket
• Christian Easter Tablescape Printables
• Christian Easter Printable Pack
• The Really Big List of Easter Basket Theme Ideas
• How to Fill a Frugal Easter Basket
• Christian Easter Literacy Printable Pack
• Homemade Peeps Inspired Playdough

Free Easter Printables