Though I consider myself a baker with somewhat sophisticated tastes, all bets are off when it comes to Halloween. Bring on the googly eyes, bat-shaped cookie cutters, and orange and black sprinkles on everything. Every year, I also try to find a few new crowd-pleasing treats that are super cute and super easy to make.
Needless to say, these Pumpkin Pretzels are my new favorites! Truth be told, I am not a huge fan of plain pretzels. But chocolate-covered pretzels? That perfect combination of sweet, creamy chocolate with salty, crunchy pretzels gets me every time.
These adorable pumpkins couldn’t be easier to make — and with just a few simple ingredients. You can prepare them in under 30 minutes and have them ready to go for your classroom celebrations, Halloween parties, and trick-or-treaters!
Pumpkin Pretzels
Makes: 24 filled pretzels
Ingredients:
- 24 pretzel twists
- Cream cheese, peanut butter, or Nutella filling (recipes below)
- 8 ounces orange candy melts
- 1-3 teaspoons vegetable shortening
- 24 green mini M&M’s
Directions:
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread about a teaspoon of filling onto each pretzel and place on one of the baking sheets. Freeze for 15 minutes.
- Melt the candy in the top half of a double boiler set over barely simmering water.
- Add shortening, one teaspoon at a time, until candy is smooth and pourable. Turn off the heat and place the second baking sheet nearby.
- Remove one pretzel from the freezer and place on a fork. Hold the fork over the bowl and use a spoon to pour the candy over the pretzel. Gently tap the handle of the fork on the edge of the bowl so that the excess candy drips off.
- Slide the pretzel onto your baking sheet and place an M&M — on its side — into the top.
- Repeat with remaining pretzels. Keep in fridge or freezer until ready to serve.
Cream Cheese Filling
Makes: enough for 24 pretzels
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
- Beat all ingredients until smooth.
Peanut Butter Filling
Makes: enough for 24 pretzels
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
- Beat all ingredients until smooth.
Nutella Filling
Makes: enough for 24 pretzels
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/4 cup Nutella
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 teaspoons milk
Directions:
- Beat all ingredients until smooth (add a bit more milk if filling is too stiff to spread).
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