Magical Christmas Pretzel Bark Recipe for Holiday Joy

Sweet and salty christmas pretzel bark blends holiday magic with irresistible crunch.

Chocolate lovers understand the power of unexpected flavor combinations.

Crisp pretzels create a satisfying base for melted chocolate and festive sprinkles.

Layers of rich chocolate dance between salty pretzel pieces.

Kids and adults alike will fall in love with this simple treat.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation make this dessert perfect for busy holiday moments.

You can whip up this delightful bark in less than 15 minutes, spreading joy one delicious bite at a time.

Why Christmas Pretzel Bark Is So Addictive

• Create Festive Treats: Craft a delightful holiday dessert that brings joy and Christmas cheer to your kitchen with minimal effort.
• Maximize Sweet and Salty Combo: Enjoy the perfect balance of crunchy pretzels, rich chocolate, and caramel-like brown sugar that creates an irresistible flavor profile.
• Quick Holiday Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare a show-stopping dessert in just a few simple steps that will impress family and friends at holiday gatherings.
• Customize with Creativity: Personalize the bark with festive sprinkles, different chocolate types, or additional toppings to make it uniquely yours and add a special touch to your holiday spread.

Ingredients for the Ultimate Holiday Pretzel Bark

• Mini Pretzels: Crunchy base that provides a salty foundation for the sweet bark.
• Butter: Helps create a caramel-like coating that adds richness and flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet, sticky caramel layer that binds the bark together.

• Chocolate Chips: Melts to create a smooth, rich chocolate coating over the caramel pretzels.

• Festive Sprinkles: Adds a colorful and celebratory touch to the Christmas-themed bark.

Making Christmas Pretzel Bark Without a Fuss

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surface

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread mini pretzels in a single, even layer across the entire surface.

Step 2: Create Caramel Base

Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and starts bubbling, which takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Coat Pretzels with Caramel

Pour the hot caramel mixture over the pretzels, making sure each pretzel gets an even coating. Use a spatula to spread the mixture if needed, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 4: Bake and Melt Chocolate

Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 5 minutes until the caramel starts to bubble.

Remove from oven and immediately scatter chocolate chips over the hot pretzels.

Step 5: Spread Chocolate Layer

Allow chocolate chips to melt for a few minutes.

Use a clean spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly across the pretzel surface, creating a smooth chocolate layer.

Step 6: Add Festive Decorations

Sprinkle holiday-themed decorations or colorful sprinkles over the melted chocolate for a festive touch.

Step 7: Cool and Break

Let the bark cool at room temperature for approximately 1 hour until completely set. Gently break into irregular pieces for a rustic, homemade look.

Tips to Get That Crunchy-Sweet Finish

• Select high-quality chocolate chips for a richer, more decadent flavor that melts smoothly over the pretzels.
• Work quickly when spreading melted chocolate to ensure an even, glossy coating across the entire bark surface.
• Use holiday-themed sprinkles or crushed candy canes for extra festive Christmas flair and added texture.
• Store bark in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Experiment with different chocolate varieties like dark, milk, or white chocolate to create unique flavor combinations and personalize the dessert.

Creative Bark Combos for Holiday Cheer

• Festive Peppermint Bark: Replace chocolate chips with white chocolate and crush candy canes to sprinkle on top, creating a minty holiday version.
• Nutty Holiday Crunch: Add chopped almonds or pecans over the melted chocolate for extra texture and rich winter flavor.
• Caramel Sea Salt Edition: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the chocolate layer before cooling, giving a sophisticated sweet-salty combination.
• Winter Spice Variation: Mix ground cinnamon and nutmeg into the butter-sugar mixture for a warm, cozy seasonal spin on the original recipe.

Drinks and Snacks to Pair with Pretzel Bark

• Pair Sweet Hot Cocoa: Creamy hot chocolate perfectly complements the rich, buttery sweetness of the Christmas pretzel bark, creating a delightful winter treat that warms your soul.
• Match Spiced Mulled Wine: The warm, aromatic spices of mulled wine beautifully balance the salty-sweet crunch of the pretzel bark, offering a sophisticated holiday flavor experience.
• Complement Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delicious contrast to the warm, crispy bark, enhancing the dessert's texture and adding a creamy indulgence.
• Serve Cinnamon Chai Latte: The spicy, creamy chai latte echoes the caramel notes in the bark while adding a comforting warmth that elevates the entire dessert sensation.

Keep Christmas Pretzel Bark Fresh and Snappy

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 7 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain crispness.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Countertop Storage: Keep in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb any moisture and prevent softening.
• Room Temperature Restoration: Crisp up slightly stale bark by placing on a baking sheet and warming in a 200°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Let cool completely before serving to regain original texture.

All Your Pretzel Bark Curiosities Solved

• How do I prevent the pretzels from burning?

Keep a close eye on the pretzels during baking and remove them from the oven as soon as the butter-sugar mixture starts bubbling to avoid burning.

• Can I use different types of chocolate?

Yes, you can use milk, dark, or white chocolate chips depending on your preference and the flavor profile you want to achieve.

• What's the best way to break the bark into pieces?

After the bark has completely cooled and set, use your hands to break it into irregular, rustic pieces or cut it with a sharp knife for more uniform segments.

• How can I ensure the chocolate melts evenly?

After sprinkling the chocolate chips, let them sit for 2-3 minutes on the hot pretzels, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate smoothly across the surface.

Christmas Pretzel Bark Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive holiday magic springs to life with Christmas Pretzel Bark, blending sweet and salty flavors into one irresistible treat. Crisp pretzels coated in chocolate create a delightful crunch you’ll crave all season long.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 cups (1.2 liters) mini pretzels
• 2 cups (340 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter

Base Ingredients:

• 1 cup (220 grams) packed brown sugar

Decorative Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (40 grams) festive sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F and arrange parchment paper on baking sheet with pretzels creating a uniform layer.
2. Combine butter and brown sugar in saucepan, heating over medium temperature until mixture transforms into a glossy, bubbling consistency approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Drizzle hot caramel-like butter and sugar mixture across pretzels, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coating using spatula.
4. Bake pretzel layer for 5 minutes until mixture becomes effervescent and slightly caramelized.
5. Remove from oven and immediately distribute chocolate chips across hot pretzel surface, allowing chocolate to melt naturally for 3-4 minutes.
6. Gently spread melted chocolate using spatula, creating smooth and even chocolate layer covering entire pretzel surface.
7. Decorate with holiday sprinkles for festive appearance, then allow bark to cool and solidify at room temperature for one hour.
8. Once completely set, fracture bark into irregular, rustic pieces for serving and enjoying.

Notes

• Swap regular pretzels with gluten-free pretzels to make this recipe celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate to customize flavor profiles and suit personal preferences.
• Use a silicone baking mat instead of parchment paper for easier removal and zero sticking during the bark-making process.
• Control sweetness levels by adjusting brown sugar quantity or using alternative sweeteners like coconut sugar for a healthier twist.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg