Sunday, February 13, 2011

Valentine's Day Treats


Boy do I have stuff to show you from the quilt show! But that will have to wait because I want to show you the other thing I did today. No, not the house cleaning! Yes, I did that TOO, but there's nothing special about that. Nope, I clean house just like everyone else--with three bottles of bleach and a pressure washer. What I really wanted to show you is some easy to make, last minute Valentine's Day treats.

First the ingredients:


You'll need some sprinkles (or chopped nuts), some white chocolate or vanilla candy melts (you could use regular chocolate, but I have issues with bloom--that's where the chocolate turns white--so I stick to the white stuff when I melt it), and some pretzel rods. While you're at Trader Joe's picking up those chocolate croissants for your Valentine's Day breakfast, buy some of their Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks too. (I'd guess there are around 100 sticks in each bag--just so you can figure out how many bags you might need. Seriously. I got two.)

No, you don't have to get Trader Joe's pretzels, but I like their taste and the length--which is around 5" long. Here's what they look like up close:


I set up a bit of an assembly line. I melted the chocolate/vanilla chips in the microwave (follow the directions on the package) in a coffee mug, filled a small bowl with sprinkles, and lined a cookie tray with waxed paper so I could lay the pretzel sticks down to set.


I just dipped and twirled the stick in the melted chocolate/vanilla candy melts so the candy was about half way up the sides of the pretzel. Next, I held it over the bowl of sprinkles and used a spoon to apply the sprinkles. Easy!


Here's what they look like after they've been dipped and sprinkled, while the candy's hardening.


Once they set, I packaged five pretzels in each cellophane bag and tied it closed with a ribbon.


Don't they look good enough to eat? They taste pretty good too!
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13 comments:

  1. dorthaFebruary 13, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    Kim, you just seem to have boundless amounts of energy. The pretzels look yummy.

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  2. MelissaFebruary 13, 2011 at 4:47 AM

    I do these at christmas, with red and green sprinkles. I should make some today to give to teachers tomorrow :)
    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  3. BarbaraFebruary 13, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    What a great idea! We have a retail candy supply store right here in my little town. They ship all over the country. I have some white chocolate and some kind of sprinkles I could use right here at home. I need to get some pretzels today.

    PS - Do you ever sleep?

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    YUM!

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Now you've made me hungry for pretzels and it's only 8:30am.
    Thanks for the instructions.
    cindy

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  6. MicheleFebruary 13, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    I love it! Now I need to go get pretzels :) and like Cindy said, I'd like to eat them and I haven't had breakfast yet! Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  7. MarlaFebruary 13, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Those are so pretty! And clever too! I also wonder if you ever sleep?

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  8. Quilter KathyFebruary 13, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    These are so pretty....you are so creative!

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  9. Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery LadyFebruary 13, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    Yum to look at and Yummy to the taste buds. I am so happy you gave us all some at our Circle of Friends Day. You are a sweet valentine treat - pun intended!

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  10. rickbarbaraFebruary 13, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    I might make them for my quild. they look great. thanks

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  11. Sandie @ crazy'boutquiltsFebruary 13, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Yum! I love making these too. :-) Happy Valentine's Day!

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  12. KimFebruary 14, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    I posted about making a similar treat on Saturday, and I also did some pretzels, but I didn't wrap them up cute like you did! Great minds think alike!!

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  13. PunkiePie (Jen)February 14, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Clever! I'll have to remember that. Maybe I'll make some for Easter.

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