From the Kitchen of Susan Wagener
Christmas Pretzel Reindeer and Wreaths
I use the Rival 18-Ounce Electric Gravy Boat Warmer to melt the chocolate chips. They don't make this any longer.  There is one similar called Deni 15501 Electric Gravy Boat with Warming Plate, White and sold on Amazon.com  I have not tried this, but it looks like it should work just as well. The advantage to using this is that it keeps the chocolate the right consistency for dipping the pretzels in without having to reheat it in the microwave or working over a stove top. Christmas Wreath Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips Nestle White Chocolate Chips Snyder of Hanover Pretzel Circles Red and Green M&M's Christmas Sprinkles Parchment Paper Cookie Sheet Melt White or semi-sweet Chocolate Chips in gravy boat warmer. This may take 15 or more minutes depending on how full it is with white chocolate chips. Once they start to get soft and melt, I use a baby feeding spoon to keep stirring them until they are fully melted.  While the chips are melting, cut a piece of parchment paper to fit into the cookie sheet. You can use your counter top, but the cookie sheet keeps M&M's and sprinkles from rolling off the counter. It also keeps the sprinkles in one place instead of all over the counter!  Spoon melted chocolate into center of pretzel circle.  Only do six or seven at a time so the chocolate doesn't harden before you can decorate them.  Gently push an M&M into the center of each pretzel. Make sure the "M" is turned down toward the chocolate.  Immediately sprinkle the "sprinkles" over them before the chocolate begins to harden.  Let the chocolate harden in the pretzels (about 3-5 minutes). You should be able to pick them up gently and put on a plate. I usually do five pretzels at a time until the entire cookie sheet is full. Then let them sit until hardened and move them off to a plate. Keep stirring the melted chocolate as you go to keep smooth consistency.  |