Peanut Butter and Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe

Homemade goodies make for some of the best and most thoughtful holiday presents.  And when they are simple and affordable to make I love them even more. Bring the kids into the kitchen and have them help!  This recipe makes about 100 pretzels.  

1 jar of pretzel rods

16 oz of milk chocolate, melted

2/3 cup of peanut butter

Holiday covered sprinkles or chopped nuts

1.  Place wax paper on a sheet pan, so the chocolate won't stick.

2.  In a glass bowl, add the chocolate and peanut butter into the microwave for 30 seconds, remove and briefly stir with a rubber spoon.  Place it back into the microwave and continue to heat in increments of 30 seconds until all the chocolate mixture is melted.  Stir until it is completely smooth and incorporated. 

3.  Dip one end of the pretzel into the chocolate so there is only 1-2 inches (where you are holding it) uncovered.  Lightly shake excess chocolate back into the bowl.

4.  Dip into sprinkles or chopped nuts and then place on waxed sheet pan.   Place in the fridge for 5-10 to allow the chocolate to harden. 

White Chocolate Christmas Lollipops Recipe

This is a simple holiday treat that is a perfect way to show friends, neighbors and co-workers that you are thinking about them during the holiday season.  It's wonderful to give as gifts or even at your holiday party.  The colors are unbeatable and are fun, easy thing to do with the kids in the kitchen.  I love the flavors in this delectable lollipop, sweet creamy chocolate, tart cranberries and salty pistachios!  Yum!

16 oz of white chocolate, melted

1/2 cup of dried cranberries (I used Crasins that had been soaked in blueberry juice, but the regular kind will do) 

1/2 cup of pistachios, diced

Lollipop sticks

1.  Place wax paper on a sheet pan, so the chocolate won't stick.

2.  In a glass bowl, add the white chocolate and put in the microwave for 30 seconds, remove and briefly stir with a rubber spoon.  Place it back into the microwave and continue to heat in increments of 30 seconds until all the chocolate is melted.  Stir chocolate until it is completely smooth. 

3.  Grab a tablespoon and pour the melted chocolate onto the wax paper into circular rounds.  You can use the back of the spoon to help shape the lollipops.  Put the lollipop stick in the middle of each of the chocolates, and then give each stick a twist, so that the stick has been full covered with all the chocolate.

4.  Sprinkle the tops with the dried cranberries and pistachios.  Place in the fridge for 5-10 to allow the chocolate to harden.