Everything you need to know about How to Decorate Pretzels
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
- MELTED CANDY
- COVERING IN SPRINKLES
- DRIZZLE
- DRIZZLE AND SPRINKLES
- COVERING IN CARAMEL
- USING FREEZE DRIED FRUIT
- MARBLING
- COMBINING CARAMEL AND MARBLING
- DRIPPING OVER SPRINKLES
- USING STORE BOUGHT FROSTING
- PLUS LOTS OF TIPS!
HOW TO KEEP ONE SIDE FROM GETTING FLAT

Having a Problem with Candy Melts?

THE MANY USES OF DECORATED PRETZELS

- ADD TO A DESSERT TABLE
- USE AS A CENTERPIECE ON A KIDS TABLE
- FILL SMALL CONTAINERS (like buckets) AND LINE THEM DOWN THE CENTER OF A TABLE TO SERVE AS A RUNNER
- PACKAGE THEM UP IN PRETZEL TREAT BAGS 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

- 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

DECORATE PRETZELS BY COVERING IN SPRINKLES TECHNIQUE

- 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

- 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:

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



- 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).




ADD FLAVOR WITH FREEZE DRIED FRUIT TECHNIQUE

MARBLING TECHNIQUE

COMBINING CARAMEL AND MARBLING TECHNIQUE

DRIPPING TECHNIQUE

USING STORE BOUGHT FROSTING TECHNIQUE

- Use any flavor of frosting!
- Substituting frosting for candy melts is a great way of adding flavor to your decorated pretzels.
- 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.



HOW TO KEEP MELTED CANDY IN A LIQUID STATE

- 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!
PRETZEL POCKETS
DECORATED PRETZELS—HALLOWEEN—




DECORATED PRETZELS—CHRISTMAS—




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

NEVER MISS A POST

Can not wait to try this. Thanks for sharing!
YAY Judy! This is my favorite treat to make. It looks awesome and taste good too.
Can’t wait to try.
Hi Diana, Once you try these you’ll keep making them. They are so good, look great and are easy to make. 🙂
You are definitely a pretzel decorating pro! Great tips!
So many great tips! I love chocolate covered pretzels!
I love chocolate dipped pretzels! Mine never turn out this cute!
Love them!!!!
Me too Kristi, In face a made a few for my granddaughters today. 🙂
This was so helpfully first time making them thanks for sharing and merry Christmas
I want to thank u so so much for showing me how u make ur dip pretzels it’s my first time wish me luck thanks again
You’re Welcome Maria! You’ll do great! 🙂
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!!!
Awww…..thanks Jen! I’m so glad it was helpful. 🙂
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?
Hi Katlynne, They will be good as long as the pretzels stay fresh (at least a week). 🙂
With your candy melts do you use vanilla flavored or non flavored? Thank you for sharing this information..
Hi Jessica, All candy melts are flavored. Most of them are vanilla unless otherwise stated. 🙂
Thank you so much for all the helpful tips, Wonderful!
You’re Welcome Danielle, Thanks for visiting!
hey i want to know how do you get the candy melts to be so smooth
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.
I can’t get the candy melt to stick to the pretzel!
How do I correct this?☹️
Hi Jerri, I need more information. What is the texture of the melted candy? Did you add water or fat to the melted candy?
thank you so much for sharing.
You’re Welcome Thilini!
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.
Thanks Terri, Yes….I love the melting pot too! I can’t find the e z thin. So I use shortening.
Will this work if I have the vanilla almond bark blocks instead of the candy melts?
Hi Carrol, Yes, the two are pretty much the same thing.
How far in advance of the party is it recommended to decorate the pretzels ? How long are they good for ? Thanks , jean
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.
How do you keep them from getting flat on one side?
Hi Terri, 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.
Wow! Would’ve never guessed that! Thank you!
You’re Welcome! Good Luck.