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Lady Behind the Curtain

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Everything you need to know about How to Decorate Pretzels

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Everything you need to know about How to Decorate Pretzels: Who can resist the irresistible combination of salty and sweet? Whether you’re munching on a soft, warm pretzel at a baseball game or indulging in a chocolate-dipped pretzel for a midnight snack, there’s something undeniably satisfying about this versatile snack. But have you ever thought about taking your pretzels to the next level and decorating them? With the rise of Instagram-worthy snacks, pretzel decorating has become a popular trend and it’s not just for the professionals. In this post, I will cover everything you need to know about how to decorate pretzels, from the best types of pretzels to use to creative topping ideas. Get ready to satisfy your cravings and impress your friends with your pretzel decorating skills!

Everything you need to know about how to decorate pretzels

An easy to make treat or dessert with the perfect combo of sweet and salty. Perfect for any occasion with tons of variations. This post will give you step by step instructions on how you can decorate pretzels like a pro along with several videos. Stop paying someone else to make your treats—find out how easy it is to make them yourself! Scroll down for different techniques, videos and ideas. PRETZEL POCKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! WHAT’S A PRETZEL POCKET? FIND OUT BELOW↓

IN THIS POST YOU WILL LEARN 10 DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES FOR DECORATING PRETZELS

  1. MELTED CANDY
  2. COVERING IN SPRINKLES
  3. DRIZZLE
  4. DRIZZLE AND SPRINKLES
  5. COVERING IN CARAMEL
  6. USING FREEZE DRIED FRUIT
  7. MARBLING
  8. COMBINING CARAMEL AND MARBLING
  9. DRIPPING OVER SPRINKLES
  10. USING STORE BOUGHT FROSTING
  11. PLUS LOTS OF TIPS!

HOW TO KEEP ONE SIDE FROM GETTING FLAT

RICE! I fill a container with rice, stick the freshly decorated pretzels in the rice and then into the refrigerator to harden. TIP: Make sure the container you use is deep enough to handle the height of the pretzel.

Having a Problem with Candy Melts?

HERE IS A POST DEDICATED TO CANDY MELTS! Everything You Need To Know About Candy Melts: Candy melts are the most versatile treat medium, scroll down (in the candy melt post) to find tons of tips and tricks. From what’s the best thinner to use, how to heat candy melts, what can be created with candy melts ,and more!

THE MANY USES OF DECORATED PRETZELS

  • ADD TO A DESSERT TABLE: The perfect size for small spaces and adds a pop of color.
  • USE AS A CENTERPIECE ON A KIDS TABLE: Edible centerpiece? Perfect!
  • FILL SMALL CONTAINERS (like buckets) AND LINE THEM DOWN THE CENTER OF A TABLE TO SERVE AS A RUNNER
  • ADD DECORATED PRETZELS TO A PRETZEL TREAT BAG AND HAND THEM OUT AS PARTY FAVORS
  • DECORATE MINI PRETZELS AND PUT IN PLASTIC CANDY CANES (pictured above)
  • FILL AN EMPTY DECORATED CAN WITH MINI PRETZELS AND GIVE AS A GIFT—MAKES A GREAT SECRET SANTA GIFT! (pictured above)
  • ADD MINI DECORATED PRETZELS TO PUSH UP POPS AND CREATE A FUN DISPLAY (pictured above)

ADDING COLOR TO CANDY WAFERS OR CANDY MELTS.

GOOD NEWS! If you can’t find the color you want or if the color scheme of your party is not a color offered in wafers or candy melts you can color your own, allowing you to create unique colors. You can add color to melted candy BUT….ONLY USE AN OIL BASED COLOR. Candy wafers and candy melts are made from an oil base THEY DO NOT LIKE WATER. Here is a great article from Wilton (the maker of candy melts) explaining→HOW TO COLOR CANDY MELTS CANDY

HOW TO STORE DECORATED PRETZELS

The easiest way is to store decorated pretzels is in an airtight container at room temperature. Provided everything is fresh to begin with and the container is clean, dry, and has a tight seal, partially covered pretzel rods can stay fresh for about 2-3 weeks.

HOW TO DECORATE PRETZELS—Techniques

DECORATE PRETZELS WITH MELTED CANDY—Let’s start with FIVE basic techniques

Candy Melts from Wilton is my candy of choice.  They are easy to find (Michael’s or Walmart) and easy to work with.
  • Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. 
  • Pour candy into a microwave safe bowl.
  • Melt the candy in 30 second increments, stirring between each time. 
  • TIP:  If your candy melts don’t get loose enough to dip into add a little shortening—that will loosen the candy and make it easier to coat your pretzels.  
  • The key to coating the pretzel without the candy dripping everywhere is in the temperature of the candy—not too hot and not too cold.
  • Once the candy is the right consistency it’s time to dip. 
  • Put pretzel tip in the bowl and use a spoon to drizzle and coat the pretzel. 
  • Putting candy melts (already melted) into a small mason jar is also a great way to dip your pretzels (all you have to do is submerge the pretzel). 
  • Swirl the pretzel to let any extra candy drip off and tap on the side of the bowl or jar.
  • AT THIS POINT—USE THE COVERING IN SPRINKLES TECHNIQUE OR THE DRIZZLE TECHNIQUE
MY FAVORITE TOOL FOR MELTING CANDY AND KEEPING IT MELTED! PERFECT FOR LARGE JOBS.

DECORATE PRETZELS BY COVERING IN SPRINKLES TECHNIQUE

TIP: USING THE SAME COLOR OF CANDY MELTS WITH THE SAME COLOR SPRINKLES WILL HELP MAKE YOUR PRETZELS POP WITH COLOR!
  • Coat only 4 to 5 pretzels at a time with the melted candy for this method. 
  • Add sprinkles immediately. 
  • For adding sprinkles— put the sprinkles into a larger bowl and spoon the sprinkles over the pretzel making sure to keep twisting it around (this helps cool off the candy and stops it from dripping into the sprinkles). 
  • Let the extra sprinkles fall into the bowl. 
  • Place finished pretzels on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet OR insert them into a container filled with rice.
  • Scoop up the leftover sprinkles to use again.

DECORATE PRETZELS WITH THE DRIZZLE TECHNIQUE

A GREAT WAY TO ADD SEVERAL COLORS AND SPRINKLES!
  • Complete the first step of covering the pretzels with melted candy. 
  • Place covered pretzels on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the refrigerator until the candy has hardened (about 10 minutes). 
  • Melt the candy melts the same as you did with for the coating. 
  • Put melted candy into squeeze bottles, zip top bags or piping bags with the tips cut off.  TIP: Only melt one color at a time.  Start with the darkest color and end with the lightest.  
  • Drizzle over pretzels in a back and forth motion and melt your next color….
  • OR…if you have a melting pot (pictured above), melt all the colors. Pour each color into a piping bag, close the top of each bag with a rubber band DO NOT SNIP THE END. Place the filled piping bags into a hot melting pot. This will keep all the colors piping hot so be careful when handling. Sometimes I have to use a paper towel as a barrier. Lay pretzels next to each other (single file) leaving some space for the candy to fall. Snip the end of each piping bag as you use them. In a back and forth sweeping motion add the drizzle.
  • Make sure to start with the darkest color working up to the lightest.
  • Set aside to harden or add sprinkles.

Another great tip for the drizzle technique:

Once you have added the drizzle onto the pretzels—lift them straight up and transport them to a clean sheet of parchment—leaving behind the extra melted candy and letting the pretzels harden on a clean sheet.

DECORATE PRETZELS WITH THE DRIZZLE AND SPRINKLE TECHNIQUES:

  • Complete the melted candy covered pretzel step—and then the drizzle method.
  • Lightly sprinkle the sprinkles on top of the drizzle. 
  • NOTE:  You still want to see the drizzle effect through the sprinkles.

DECORATE PRETZELS WITH THE CARAMEL TECHNIQUE

CREATE A PRETZEL WITH A LITTLE SURPRISE INSIDE…CARAMEL!
How to Decorate Pretzels with Caramel
1 cup of caramel bits or chopped caramels to 1 tablespoon of water will cover approximately 20 pretzel rods.
How to Decorate Pretzels with Caramel
  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 
  • Place the caramel and water in a microwave safe bowl. 
  • Whisk together and heat in 15 second increments.
  • Cover the pretzels with the melted caramel (as pictured). 
How to Decorate Pretzels with Caramel
CARAMEL WILL STICK! Hold down the parchment paper and carefully pull the pretzel off the paper. MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE ANGLE STRAIGHT AND DO NOT LIFT UP THIS WILL RESULT IN A BROKEN PRETZEL ROD.
How to Decorate Pretzels with Caramel
Using your fingers mold the caramel around the pretzel. and place back on the cookie sheet to finish cooling.  Periodically pull the pretzels from the paper to make sure they have not stuck again.
How to Decorate Pretzels with Caramel
Place on a new sheet of parchment paper. Periodically pull the pretzels from the paper to make sure they have not stuck again.
Finish with the melted candy and drizzle techniques

ADD FLAVOR WITH FREEZE DRIED FRUIT TECHNIQUE

Create fun flavors with freeze dried fruit! Grind up freeze dried cinnamon apples and create delicious apple pie pretzels! CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW—->>>>APPLE PIE DECORATED PRETZELS

NEW….NEW….NEW! TWO TONE DECORATED PRETZELS

Stars and Stripes Flag Pretzels

Learn how easy it is to add two colors to a pretzel rod and create these amazing Stars and Stripes Flag Pretzels. CLICK HERE TO GET THE STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS→PATRIOTIC PRETZEL RODS

MARBLING TECHNIQUE

When you look at my technique for the marbling effect you may see that their is some waste.  Remember this…..you will be creating TWELVE incredible looking party pretzels for under $10.  Most techniques call for a tub of melted candy (the main color), drizzling the other colors on top and then dipping the pretzel in through the drizzled colors—it’s hard to keep the colors from becoming muddy looking.  I don’t think that technique works as well as the one I do here. View the video below for the full details—and click here for the post—->>>>OUT OF THIS WORLD GALAXY DECORATED PRETZELS

COMBINING CARAMEL AND MARBLING TECHNIQUE

This uses two of my favorite techniques. I love caramel on my pretzels and the look of the melted candy when it’s marbled. View the video below for the full details—and click here for the post—->>>> UNICORN PRETZELS

NEW….NEW…NEW! EASY TRIPLE COLOR TECHNIQUE AND MARBLE TECHNIQUE!

TRIPLE COLOR TECHNIQUE

  • Place a pretzel rod in the center of a piece of parchment paper, with a pencil mark the top of the pretzel, middle, and the bottom of where the candy will end. So the guests can easily handle the pretzels, I like to leave a couple inches at the bottom. This step it to be used as an easy guideline but doesn’t have to be done. Flip the paper over so the pencil marks are on the bottom.
  1. Place another sheet of parchment paper to the side another one to the side and a fourth piece on a cookie sheet.
  2. Pour candy melts in small microwave safe bowls.
  3. Heat only one color at a time 1 minute for each, stir until melted and creamy.
  4. TIP: The counter tops are cold, keep your candy warm longer by placing the bowls on a pot holder.
  1. At the top using your guide line, spoon a good amount of the white melted candy, follow with the orange, and end with the yellow making sure to use the bottom line as your guide. NOTE: DO NOT ADD ALL THE CANDY OF EACH COLOR AT ONCE. SAVE SOME FOR LATER.
  2. Dip the tip of the pretzel in the white, then lay flat and roll in all three colors.
  1. Swiftly move off the parchment paper with the three colors to a second piece of parchment paper, lightly tap any excess candy off the pretzel.
  2. Lay on the third piece of parchment paper to rest for a minute. Remember your countertops are cold and the candy will set up quickly. While the pretzel is resting continue coating the pretzels (about 5 more). Once the pretzels have rested and are still wet, pull them straight up off the third piece of parchment paper and place on the clean piece of parchment paper that’s on the cookie sheet. NOTE: PLACING YOUR PRETZELS CLOSE TOGETHER BUT NOT TOUCHING WILL HELP WITH THE AMOUNT OF PARCHMENT PAPER USED. Place in the refrigerator to harden (about 10 minutes. *SEE BELOW ABOUT CANDY PUDDLES
  3. TIP: As the piles of white, orange, and yellow deplete, spoon on the remaining candy and continue coating the pretzels.
  4. Once all the pretzels have been coated and the candy has hardened, if choosing, it’s time to add the dust luster.
  • DUST LUSTER: This step is totally optional but adds a wonderful iridescence to the pretzels. Mine is in powder form, it can also be purchased in spray form. FOR THE POWDER: Pour some of the powder into a small bowl , using a clean brush, dip in the powder and brush onto hardened candy. BEAUTIFUL!

MARBLE TECHNIQUE

  1. Switch it up and also add swirled or marbled candy corn pretzels to the batch.
  2. Once you have made the ombre candy corn pretzels, gather the white, yellow, and orange together, (still in their individual colors but touching), and with a skewer or knife, swirl the colors together making sure not to “mix” the colors. You want to still be able to see all three colors.
  3. Dip the tip of the pretzel and then roll in the marbled candy.
  4. Move to a separate piece of parchment paper, tap off any excess candy. NOTE: As you tap off the excess candy the candy will start to become swirled with the marbling.
  5. Place on a cookie sheet lined with a clean piece of parchment paper. Set aside to harden on place in the refrigerator 10 minutes.
  6. See about for the dust luster instructions↑.
  7. *CANDY PUDDLES
  8. HOW DO I GET RID OF THE CANDY PUDDLES?
  9. One of my favorite tips that I use every time I decorate pretzels is using a micro plane tool for the edges that have puddled under the pretzel. Carefully scrape off the excess melted candy. NOTE: CANDY MUST BE HARD FOR THIS TO WORK.
Red, White, and Blue Decorated Pretzels
Red, White, and Blue Decorated Pretzels
Red, White, and Blue Decorated Pretzels

DRIPPING TECHNIQUE

This simple technique may be simple—it adds another layer of interest to your decorated pretzels. View the video below for the full details—and click here for the post—->>>>HALLOWEEN VAMPIRE PRETZELS

USING STORE BOUGHT FROSTING TECHNIQUE

Yes, you read that right…I used store bought frosting to create these delicious Frosting Dipped Decorated Pretzels! When you’re in a pinch and all you have is a couple cans of frosting you go with it! Create a fun festive treat in minutes with an assortment of toppings. Click here for the post—->>>>HOW TO DECORATE PRETZELS WITH STORE BOUGHT FROSTING
  • Use any flavor of frosting!
  • Substituting frosting for candy melts is a great way of adding flavor to your decorated pretzels. NOTE: FROSTING WILL NOT HARDEN LIKE CANDY MELTS
  • Use white, add a drop or two of food coloring and customize your pretzels to match your party colors.
  • TIP: Mix colors together to make unique colors.

NOTE:  Use a micro plane to take off any excess candy.

When the melted candy has spread—use this tip!
Carefully scrape off the excess melted candy with a micro plane. NOTE: CANDY MUST BE HARD FOR THIS TO WORK
The result is clean edges!

HOW TO KEEP MELTED CANDY IN A LIQUID STATE

No one likes rushing to get something coasted with melted candy only to have it harden before finishing the coating step. Here’s how I solve that problem and this is not only handy to know for coating pretzels but for anything that requires a candy coating.
  • Using Wilton Melting Pots (this is my favorite). These handy pots are not just for melting candy, they also work amazing at keeping the candy melted. For the drizzle method I melt the candy, pour it into piping bags, seal the end tightly with a rubber band. Place the piping bags in a heated pot without the insert. The pot will keep the candy piping hot so be careful when handling. If using squirt bottles, pour hot water into the pot (without the insert), use high setting, fill bottles with melted candy, place in the water. This will also keep the candy melted.
  • Electric Skillet. All the above can also be achieved by using an electric skillet except ALWAYS have water in the skillet. Also, the candy melts can not be added directly to the skillet. They MUST be in a heat proof container like a mason jar or bowl.

Decorated Pretzel Pockets

WHAT IS A PRETZEL POCKET? Take your decorated pretzels a step further and drop them in a decorated pocket! Placing the pretzels in a pocket allows for easy handling…NO MESSY HANDS! Click the link below for FREE Pretzel Pocket Collections!

Birthday Party Pretzel Pocket FREE Printable Collection

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE COLLECTIONS→PRETZEL POCKET FREE PRINTABLE COLLECTIONS

DECORATED PRETZELS—HALLOWEEN—

Decorated Pretzels are the PERFECT HOSTESS treat. They can be made days in advance, they’re easy to make, colorful and delicious! 1. HALLOWEEN VAMPIRE PRETZELS 2. WICKED WITCH FINGER HALLOWEEN PRETZELS 3. HALLOWEEN PARTY EYE OF NEWT PRETZELS 4. HOCUS POCUS HALLOWEEN DECORATED PRETZELS→CLICK HERE FOR OVER 35 DECORATED PRETZEL IDEAS→DECORATED PRETZELS←

DECORATED PRETZELS—CHRISTMAS—

Adding decorated pretzels to a dessert party table is an easy way of filling an empty spot and adding a pop of color. Handing them out as party favors is another great idea. 1. EGGNOG CHRISTMAS PRETZELS 2. WINTER ICICLE PRETZELS 3. DARK CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS DECORATED PRETZELS 4. MINI HOLIDAY PRETZEL STICK STOCKING STUFFERS→CLICK HERE FOR OVER 35 DECORATED PRETZEL IDEAS→DECORATED PRETZELS←

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS—I WILL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER THEM! ♥

Everything you need to know about how to decorate pretzels

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Comments

Everything you need to know about How to Decorate Pretzels — 42 Comments

  9. Thank you SO MUCH for this video! I tried a batch of these coated pretzels by just using Pinterest instructions from someone else, and after watching your video the difference is night and day! You definitely saved me from what was a Pinterest fail! Wish I had watched your video first!!!

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  10. Question! How far in advance can I make these? I’m hoping to make them for a baby shower. How many days will they stay fresh?

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Yvette, If your candy is too thick You can add a tablespoon of shortening for a whole bag of candy melts or 1/2 a tablespoon for half a bag. Just place the shortening in the bowl with your candy melts and melt together. This should make the consistency perfect of dipping. Some color melt better than others. I always have a hard time with pink.

      Reply ↓

      • Hi Jerri, I need more information. What is the texture of the melted candy? Did you add water or fat to the melted candy?

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  15. I bought one of the wilton candy melt pots it is great for this you can also buy e z thin to thin out your melted chocolate it works great..I tried to do it in a pot on very low heat and failed over and over. I really like how you use the micro plane great idea.

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  17. How far in advance of the party is it recommended to decorate the pretzels ? How long are they good for ? Thanks , jean

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Jean, As long as you keep them protected from dust ( I usually just lay something over the top of them) you can safely make them a week in advance.

      Reply ↓

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