Chocolate Pretzel Bites

 Be forewarned. They're addictive.

 

 

As I mentioned earlier, this was so simple it really doesn't qualify as a recipe. It's not the least bit healthy. But it's really. really. yummy. :) And it'd make an excellent contribution to an office party or church potluck, and tied up in a baggy with a ribbon, it could even be a nice last-minute hostess gift.

 

Sorry to have only the one picture, though. Had I had any inkling they'd be as a good as they were and I'd want to share my "recipe," I would have taken pictures of each step. But I was just hoping to have something edible after trying unsuccessfully to "find" a recipe. :) I should have known you really can't go wrong with pretzels and chocolate.

 

Ingredients:

• Pretzel Rods, about 2-dozen (I had a bunch left over from Christmas that needed to be used up before they went completely stale.)
• White Chocolate Bark, about 3–4 2-oz. blocks
• Mix-ins of your choosing ... M&Ms, chocolate chips, Reese's Pieces, milk chocolate bark, etc.

Directions:

• Spread wax paper on a baking tray or pan that will fit in your fridge.
• Put your pretzel rods in a resealable bag and gently hammer them so that they are in approximately 1-inch pieces. You do NOT want powder or tiny bits. You're aiming for nice sized chunks. (Mini-pretzel rods or bows would be an option if you wanted to skip this step. I happen to have a son who really. likes. hammers. so I'll be sticking with the rods.)
• While you're doing this, melt your white chocolate bark on the stove or in the microwave. I used the microwave, and did it in 30-second increments, stirring after each time. It took about 2-3 minutes.
• Move your pretzel chunks to a large bowl. Remove them by hand from the bag, being careful to avoid getting the tiniest, powdery pieces.
• Pour your melted white chocolate over the pretzels and stir. I did this in about three increments. Your goal is to get your pretzel chunks evenly coated.

Now, here's where you can get as creative as you please. I wanted to add in chocolate chips. I had. no. chocolate. chips. And it never crossed my mind to use the M&Ms which I did have. Ah well. I'll remember for next time. (Yes, there will be a next time.) I'm mentioning it so that you can consider doing it the first time. I think Reese's Pieces would be really good as well. However, since I really wanted "chocolate" in addition to the white chocolate, I melted a block of the milk chocolate bark which I did have, and stirred that in over the white chocolate. It worked. It was really good. But the white chocolate alone with other mix-ins would be prettier. In my opinion. :)

• Spread the coated pretzels on your baking tray and put in the fridge for about 10 minutes (or till hardened.)
• Break apart your Chocolate Pretzel Bites and ENJOY! :) (And share. Your waistline will thank you for sharing.) ;)