Control the amount of chocolate on your pretzels by drizzling, dipping or coating.
Though it may not be an obvious pair, salt and chocolate make a wonderful couple. Crafty cooks who combine the two may have picked up on the presence of the Salt family in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" as their inspiration. Dipping pretzels in chocolate is a simple way to bring the two flavors together in a portable and easy to make treat.
Melt the Chocolate Properly
The technique used for melting the chocolate can make or break the final product. Pure chocolate or chocolate with a cocoa butter content of roughly 30 percent or more needs to undergo a process called tempering to make sure it solidifies properly and retains a nice sheen on the dipped pretzels. Baking chocolate, chocolate chips and candy bars do not need tempering. The three most common methods of melting chocolate are in a pan over low heat, in a wide glass bowl in the microwave or over a double boiler. The secret is to stir frequently, use low heat on the stove top or 50 percent power in the microwave, and do not let any steam or liquid near the chocolate if using the double boiler method.
Coating the Pretzels
Consider the size and shape of the pretzel before starting to dip. If coating large pretzel rods, place the melted chocolate in a small to medium bowl to give it depth that allows more coating on the pretzel. For small or medium pretzel shapes, use a skewer, fork or tongs to dip them in the melted chocolate. Place the dipped pretzels on a piece of parchment paper or waxed paper to cool. A light coating of butter on the paper will keep the chocolate from sticking after it hardens.
Combine Flavors
Give your chocolate-coated pretzels a gourmet touch by using several different flavors. After dipping the pretzels in the chocolate, let them harden before dipping into melted white chocolate or butterscotch chips. Leave a bit of the dark chocolate showing so that the recipient sees the various layers. Caramel and chocolate make a tasty combination. Dip the pretzels in melted caramels before dipping into the chocolate for a flavorful treat. For more visual appeal, dip the pretzels in either the white or dark chocolate and let harden. Dip a clean, dry spoon into the other chocolate and drizzle it back and forth over the coated pretzels, letting the original chocolate layer show through.
Give Them a Crunchy Coating
Make the dipped pretzels more festive by rolling them in a crunchy or colorful coating before the chocolate hardens. While the chocolate is melting, place mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, sprinkles, crushed breakfast cereal or other small or chopped candies on a small plate. After dipping the pretzel, roll it around on the plate to coat. Make sure to hold the pretzel over the melted chocolate for a few seconds after dipping to let the excess drip off before rolling in the topping. Use a baker's cooling rack set over a rimmed baking sheet for smaller pretzel shapes. After dipping, let the excess chocolate drip off and then set on the rack. Sprinkle the toppings over the pretzels to coat.
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