Crazy Dipped Pretzel Rods Food

CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL RODS

Steps:

• Prepare two large baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
• Prepare homemade caramel (or melt store-bought caramels). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Allow homemade caramel to cool for about 15 minutes before dipping.
• Dip Pretzel Rods in caramel. I use a spoon to scoop the sauce onto the pretzels and turn them as I go. Allow excess sauce to drip off and place the dipped pretzels on a parchment lined baking sheet.
• After the caramel sets and cools some of it may pool at the base of the pretzel, causing the bottom to be flat. Use your hands to mold the caramel back around the rod (or just roll the rod gently on the parchment paper to smooth it around).
• Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, on half power, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth.
• Pour the chocolate into a tall glass. Dip the caramel-coated pretzels in melted chocolate. You can use a spoon or spatula to help smooth the chocolate up and around if you need to.
• Lay the dipped pretzels on a parchment lined sheet. While the chocolate is warm, you can sprinkle on a few light weight toppings or sprinkles, if desired.
• Allow the chocolate to set up before eating or removing from parchment.

GOURMET CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZEL RODS

Steps:

• Melt milk chocolate chips in double boiler or in microwave (be careful not to burn in the micro).
• If you are using the white chocolate, wait until later before melting unless you can keep it over warm water.
• Dip each pretzel rod about 2/3 of the way up in chocolate.
• Lay on wax paper lined baking sheets, lining up the rods but leave a bit of space between them.
• Allow to set a little, but not completely dry (while waiting, make sure your white chocolate is ready).
• Dip a fork into the white chocolate and drizzle over the milk chocolate by gently swishing the fork back and forth over the rods but not touching them.
• Place your sprinkles or candies on a paper plate and roll each pretzel rod in desired topping (or just sprinkle on).
• Lay back on wax paper to set completely.
• These look great displayed in, or given in, a unique glass or mug.

CRAZY DIPPED PRETZELS AND CHIPS

Steps:

• Line baking sheets with wax paper.
• Microwave 1 cup morsels and vegetable shortening in small, dry, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.
• Dip chips and/or pretzels into melted morsels, tilting bowl to easily dip. (I use a measuring cup.) Use side of bowl to remove excess. Place on prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with Toppers. Refrigerate for 15 - 20 minutes or until set. Store in airtight container at room temperture. Potato chips are best when eaten within a few hours of preparation.
• Pretzels and chips may be dipped and drizzled in any variety of melted chocolate for different looks. For example, dip them in semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle them with melted white morsels. Or dip them in milk chocolate and drizzle them with melted semi-sweet chocolate. Don't forget the sprinkles--that's the best part!

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PRETZEL RODS

Steps:

• Place almonds in a shallow dish. In a large glass measuring cup, microwave caramels and water on high until caramels are melted, stirring every minute., Dip three-fourths of each pretzel into caramel, allowing excess to drip off. (Reheat caramel in microwave if mixture becomes too thick for dipping.) Roll in almonds. Place on waxed paper until set. , In a microwave, melt white baking chips; stir until smooth. Dip half of the caramel-coated pretzels in white baking chips, allowing excess to drip off. Add sprinkles if desired; return to waxed paper to set. Repeat with chocolate chips and remaining pretzels., Store in airtight containers or wrap in cellophane gift bags and tie with ribbon.