These salty-sweet Chocolate Covered Pretzel Reindeer are an easy, festive addition to holiday cookie trays — and a fun, kid-friendly craft that brings smiles to everyone.
Recipe originally published December 9, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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- Chocolate Pretzel Reindeer
- Best Cookie Tray Treats
- Sweet and Salty Treats
- Kid Friendly Holiday Craft
- How To Make Chocolate Pretzel Reindeer
- How Long Do Chocolate Covered Pretzels Last?
- More Vegan Chocolate Recipes
- Chocolate Pretzel Reindeer Recipe
Chocolate Pretzel Reindeer
When the holidays roll around I spend a lot of time in the kitchen baking and assembling cookie and candy trays to share with friends, neighbors, delivery drivers and people at the hospital. Every year I add a few new treats to the lineup — and these little reindeer are always a hit.
Gifting cookie trays during the holidays?
Try adding a few fun bites like these Chocolate Covered Pretzel Reindeer to your trays.
Sweet and Salty Treats
The contrast of salty pretzels and roasted pecans with chocolate is simple and delicious. These chocolate-covered pretzel reindeer are charming, portable, and perfect for filling gaps on a cookie platter.
Kid Friendly Holiday Craft
These reindeer are quick to make and double as a fun assembly activity for kids. Set up stations with small bowls of chocolate, sprinkles, pretzels and pecans and let each child build their own. It’s messy in the best way — and great for holiday memories.
Have kids break some pretzel sticks into smaller pieces for antlers and arrange their reindeer on parchment before dipping. This also helps you estimate spacing on the baking sheet.
How To Make Chocolate Pretzel Reindeer
Simple steps get you a batch of adorable treats:
- Prepare work surfaces: Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Melt the chocolate: Use a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water; keep heat low.
- Prep the pretzels: Use long stick pretzels; leave some whole and break some into short pieces for antler details.
- Dip and assemble: Dip the flatter side of each pecan into chocolate and place on parchment for the head. Dip pretzel sticks into chocolate and position above the pecan to form antlers. Add smaller pretzel pieces to create branching antlers.
- Decorate: Top with sprinkles or small candies while the chocolate is still wet.
- Dry: Allow at least one hour for the chocolate to set completely.
How Long Do Chocolate Covered Pretzels Last?
Store these Chocolate Pretzel Reindeer in a container with an airtight lid at room temperature. They are best enjoyed within one week.
More Vegan Chocolate Recipes
- Chocolate Biscuit Cake: a quick, rich dessert with a short ingredient list.
- Vegan Twix Bars: vegan and gluten-free candy bars with buttery shortbread, caramel and chocolate.
- Pumpkin Caramel Chocolates: spiced pumpkin caramel in a dark chocolate shell.
- Chocolate Mousse Layer Cake: a rich, fluffy cake for parties.
- Dark Chocolate Superfood Bark: festive bark studded with crunchy toppings.
- Oreo Truffles: a classic addition to any cookie tray.
- Chocolate Oat No Bake Bars: five-ingredient, date-sweetened bars that are allergy friendly.
- Double Chocolate Smoothie with Salted Pepitas: a protein-rich chocolate smoothie for breakfast or snack.
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Reindeer — Recipe Card
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Reindeer
These salty-sweet Chocolate Covered Pretzel Reindeer are a quick, kid-friendly holiday treat perfect for cookie trays and gift boxes.
15 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 20 roasted pecan halves
- 60 gluten-free pretzel sticks
- 5 ounces dairy-free chocolate
- gluten-free vegan sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Line baking sheets with parchment and have forks for dipping.
- Arrange pecans, prepare pretzel sticks (break some into small pieces for antlers) and pour sprinkles into a small bowl.
- Melt chocolate in a double boiler over low heat; remove from heat when smooth.
- Dip the flatter side of each pecan into chocolate and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving room above for antlers.
- Dip long pretzels into chocolate and place above each pecan as antlers. Use smaller pretzel pieces to create branches on the antlers.
- Quickly add sprinkles or other decoration before the chocolate sets.
- Repeat for each pecan and set aside to dry completely, at least one hour.
- Store in a covered container at room temperature and enjoy within one week.
Notes
Kid Friendly
Set up individual assembly stations with small bowls of chocolate, sprinkles, pretzels and pecans so kids (or adults) can build their own reindeer.
Storage
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size:
2 pieces
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 174
Total Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 17g
Protein: 17g
About Kristina
Kristina is spabettie. She discovered cooking early and launched spabettie in 2010 to share vibrant vegan recipes and helpful tips for home cooks.
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