Welcome to the delightful world of Hershey Kiss Pretzels – a remarkably simple yet utterly addictive treat that combines the perfect balance of salty and sweet. These charming little bites feature crisp mini pretzels topped with a creamy Hershey’s Hug, gently melted to perfection, and then crowned with a colorful M&M candy. In just about 10 minutes of active prep time, you can create a batch of these irresistible confections, making them an ideal choice for last-minute cravings, impromptu gatherings, or a fun activity with the kids. Get ready to discover your new favorite go-to dessert!
The Ultimate 3-Ingredient Speedy Sweet Treat
When time is of the essence but your sweet tooth demands satisfaction, these Hershey Kiss Pretzels emerge as the undisputed champion. This recipe truly redefines “easy,” requiring just three readily available ingredients and minimal effort. It’s a fantastic project for aspiring young chefs, offering a hands-on experience with virtually no mess – save for a few chocolate-covered M&M fingers as they inevitably “sample” their creations. The magic of this recipe lies in its swift assembly; you can whip up a sizable batch in less than 15 minutes from start to finish, including baking time! This makes them perfect for busy weeknights, holiday platters, or any moment you desire a homemade touch without the commitment of complex baking. Their charm and simplicity have made them a beloved staple in countless households, a testament to how something so easy can be so incredibly satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions: Your Guide to Perfect Hershey Kiss Pretzels
Absolutely! While Hershey’s Hugs (the white chocolate striped kisses) offer a delightful visual contrast and creamy texture, you have a vast array of choices. Regular milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses are a classic option. For a richer flavor, consider dark chocolate Kisses, or experiment with seasonal and limited-edition flavors that appear throughout the year – think pumpkin spice, peppermint, or caramel. Remember that different chocolate types have varying melting points, so keep a close eye on them in the oven to prevent burning. The key is to melt them just enough to be soft and pliable, not completely liquid. This flexibility makes these pretzel treats adaptable for any holiday or occasion!
Yes, definitely! The beauty of these Hershey Kiss Pretzels lies in their versatility. Standard milk chocolate M&M’s are a fantastic choice, providing a satisfying crunch and burst of color. However, feel free to unleash your creativity! Peanut M&M’s add a nutty dimension, while Caramel M&M’s introduce a chewy, gooey element. Peanut Butter M&M’s are another popular choice for a richer flavor profile. For a fun twist, try Mini M&M’s for a more delicate touch or even Pretzel M&M’s for an extra layer of salty crunch. You can also match M&M colors to specific holidays or party themes, such as red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or red, white, and blue for patriotic celebrations. Choose any variety that you and your guests will enjoy!
To truly call them “Hershey Kiss Pretzels,” using Hershey’s Kisses or Hugs is ideal. However, this recipe provides an excellent foundation for other delightful snacks! For a decadent caramel version, try topping your pretzels with Rolo chocolate caramel candies, creating a treat often referred to as Rolo Pretzel Turtles. Another fantastic idea is to add a pecan half on top of the melted chocolate for a homemade chocolate pretzel turtle, offering a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. You could even experiment with other small chocolate candies or even small pieces of your favorite chocolate bar. The possibilities are endless for customizing this simple concept!
When stored correctly, these delightful treats can maintain their freshness and deliciousness for up to a week. The combination of the sturdy pretzel, stable chocolate, and candy shell helps them last. However, in most households, they tend to disappear much faster due to their irresistible nature! If you’re planning to make a large batch or prepare them in advance for an event, proper storage is key to enjoying them at their best throughout the week.
If your chocolate starts to develop a whitish or grayish film, it’s undergoing a process called “blooming.” This is typically a result of temperature fluctuations, which cause the cocoa butter or sugar in the chocolate to separate and rise to the surface. It can also occur if the storage environment is too humid or if using lower quality chocolate. While it might not look as appetizing, chocolate bloom is perfectly safe to eat and does not affect the taste or texture significantly. This usually happens after a few days of storage, though often these treats are devoured long before blooming becomes an issue!
Absolutely, these Hershey Kiss Pretzels make a charming and thoughtful homemade gift! Once they have fully set and cooled, arrange them neatly in an airtight container, a decorative tin, or a clear glass mason jar. To add a special touch, tie a festive ribbon around the container and attach a small handwritten note or a personalized card. They are perfect for holiday gift baskets, teacher appreciation gifts, party favors, or just a sweet surprise for friends and neighbors. Just be sure to mention when they were made so the recipient knows how long they’ll stay fresh – assuming they last that long!
For optimal freshness, store any leftover Hershey Kiss Pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature. They should remain delicious for up to a week. It’s important to keep them away from direct sunlight and excessive heat, as chocolate can melt or alter its texture. If your home tends to be quite warm, or during hot summer months, you might consider temporarily storing them in the refrigerator. However, the fridge can sometimes dry out the pretzels or cause the chocolate to bloom, so use it sparingly and ensure they are well-sealed.
Generally, storing Hershey Kiss Pretzels in the refrigerator is not ideal for long-term storage. The cold, dry environment of a fridge can make the pretzels become stale or soggy more quickly, and it can also negatively impact the chocolate’s texture, sometimes leading to blooming. It’s best to keep them at room temperature in an airtight container. Only transfer them to the fridge for a brief period if you are concerned about them melting due to high room temperatures. Once chilled, allow them to come back to room temperature for the best eating experience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hershey Kiss Pretzels
Crafting these irresistible sweet and salty treats requires just a handful of simple ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimal components, making it accessible for everyone, regardless of their baking experience. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mini Salted Pretzels: The foundation of our treats! Mini pretzel twists are perfect for their size and crisp texture, offering that essential salty crunch. Feel free to experiment with other pretzel shapes or sizes if you prefer, just ensure they can comfortably hold a Hershey’s Kiss. The salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness of the chocolate.
- Hershey’s Hugs: These iconic white chocolate striped milk chocolate Kisses melt beautifully and provide a creamy, dreamy layer atop the pretzel. As mentioned in our FAQ section, you can easily substitute these with classic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses, dark chocolate Kisses, or any other flavor that catches your eye.
- M&M’s Candies: The vibrant finishing touch! M&M’s add a delightful pop of color, a satisfying chocolate crunch, and another layer of sweetness. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section above for a plethora of creative M&M flavor and color variations to customize your treats for any occasion.
With these three simple items, you’re well on your way to creating a batch of Hershey Kiss Pretzels that are sure to impress!
Simple Steps: How to Make Hershey Kiss Pretzels
Making these delightful pretzel bites is incredibly straightforward and quick. Follow these easy steps to create a batch of perfect sweet and salty treats:
- Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Alternatively, you can lightly spray the sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Arrange the Pretzels: Carefully arrange a single layer of mini pretzel twists on your prepared cookie sheet. Try to space them out evenly, leaving a little room between each pretzel to prevent them from sticking together as the chocolate melts.
- Place the Kisses: Unwrap your Hershey’s Hugs (or chosen Hershey’s Kisses). Gently place one chocolate candy on top of each mini pretzel twist. Ensure the Kiss is centered on the pretzel for the best melting and final appearance.
- Bake to Melt: Place the cookie sheet on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 2-3 minutes. The goal is to soften the chocolate just enough so it becomes pliable, not to completely melt it into a liquid puddle. The chocolate should look glossy and slightly flattened. Keep a close watch, as oven temperatures can vary, and different chocolates melt at different rates.
- Add the M&M’s: Once the pretzels are out of the oven, immediately place one M&M chocolate candy on top of each melted Hershey’s Hug. Very gently press down on the M&M. This helps to spread the softened chocolate slightly, securing the M&M in place and creating that signature flattened look.
- Cool Completely: Allow the Hershey Kiss Pretzels to cool completely on the baking sheet at room temperature. For faster setting, you can place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes. Once fully cooled and set, the chocolate will harden, and the treats will be ready to enjoy.
Pro Tips for Perfect Pretzel Treats
- Don’t Overbake: The key to perfectly melted Kisses is a quick bake. Keep a close eye on them; 2-3 minutes is usually sufficient. You want them soft and glossy, not runny or bubbling.
- Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue here! Allowing the treats to cool and set completely ensures the chocolate hardens properly, making them easy to handle and preventing a sticky mess.
- Uniformity Matters: For the best results, try to use pretzels and chocolates of similar sizes. This ensures even melting and a consistent appearance for your treats.
- Experiment with Toppings: Beyond M&M’s, consider other toppings like sprinkles (added while chocolate is still soft), chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or even a drizzle of contrasting melted chocolate.
Creative Variations for Every Occasion
The simplicity of Hershey Kiss Pretzels makes them an incredibly versatile treat for customization. Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination:
- Seasonal Themes: Use M&M’s in colors specific to holidays. Red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, red, white, and blue for patriotic holidays, or black and orange for Halloween. You can also find holiday-themed Hershey Kisses that add an extra festive touch.
- Flavor Combinations: Mix and match chocolate types and M&M flavors. Try dark chocolate Kisses with peanut M&M’s for a sophisticated snack, or white chocolate Kisses with caramel M&M’s for a gooey delight.
- Nutty Additions: Before the chocolate sets, press a small nut (like a pecan half or an almond) alongside or instead of the M&M for an added crunch and flavor dimension.
- Sprinkle Fun: Immediately after placing the M&M, sprinkle some colorful jimmies or nonpareils on the still-soft chocolate for a festive appearance, especially for birthday parties or celebrations.
Craving More Easy Dessert Recipes?
If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these Hershey Kiss Pretzels, you’re in luck! There are plenty more easy and satisfying recipes waiting for you. Dive into these other delightful treats that are perfect for any occasion:
- Pretzel Rolo Turtles
- Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites
- Circus Animal Cookie Balls
- Oreo Cookie Balls
- Oreo Cookie Bark
- Coated Apple Shaped Pretzels
- Reindeer Pretzel Snacks
Originally published: April 2011
Updated photos & republished: August 2024
Hershey Kiss Pretzels
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Ingredients
- 1 bag mini salted pretzels
- 1 bag Hershey’s Hugs
- 1 bag M&M chocolate candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place pretzels on cookie sheet.
- Unwrap the Hershey’s Hugs. Place one Hershey’s Hug on top of each of the pretzels.
- Bake at 350F degrees for about 3 minutes on middle rack.
- After done, take out and place an M&M chocolate candy onto the top of each one and gently press it in.
- Allow to cool completely before eating.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 49g
| Protein: 5g
| Fat: 13g
| Sodium: 341mg
| Fiber: 1g
| Sugar: 29g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.