I’m excited to share my easy Christmas Pretzels With Hershey Kisses recipe that makes a festive, kid-friendly holiday candy from just a few pantry staples.

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I cant help but get excited about these Christmas Pretzel Hugs each season. Theyre one of those snack table hits thats effortless but somehow looks like you spent hours.

I always keep mini pretzels and Hershey’s Hugs chocolates on hand for last minute guests, and the colors of the holidays just make everything pop. My friends call them Pretzel Hugs or sometimes I throw them into a platter of Christmas Pretzels With Hershey Kisses and they disappear before dinner.

If you like little sweet salty bites that feel festive, these will prob be your new go to.

Ingredients

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Pretzels: crunchy and salty, mostly carbs and a little fiber, helps cut the sweet, sometimes.
Hershey’s Hugs: creamy milk chocolate, lots of sugar, small protein, crowd pleaser, melts fast.
M&M’s: colorful sugar shells add crunch and candy color, dont offer real nutrients, kids love.
White candy melts: super sweet creamy coating, mostly sugar and fat, melts smooth, good drizzle.
Sprinkles: tiny sugar confetti, purely decorative and festive, no real nutrition, fun to add.
Crushed candy canes: minty crunch, adds peppermint bite and texture, mostly sugar, bright flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

about 48 mini pretzels (square snaps or twists)

48 Hershey’s Hugs chocolates, unwrapped (you can use Hershey’s Kisses if needed)

1 cup red and green M&M’s (holiday mix) or about 1 cup plain M&M’s if you prefer

1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips, for optional drizzle

1/4 cup red and green sprinkles, optional but festive

1/3 cup crushed candy canes, optional for peppermint crunch

How to Make this

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1. Preheat oven to 250 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat so the candies don’t stick.

2. Arrange about 48 mini pretzels on the sheet, open center up. Put one unwrapped Hershey’s Hugs on each pretzel, or use Kisses if thats what you have.

3. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes, just until the Hugs are soft and glossy but not puddling. Ovens vary so watch them, they go from soft to melty fast.

4. Remove pan from oven and immediately press one red or green M&M into the center of each softened Hug, gently squishing so the candy spreads a bit and locks to the pretzel.

5. Let the Pretzel Hugs set at room temperature about 20 minutes. If youre impatient pop the tray in the fridge for 10 minutes to speed things up.

6. For a white drizzle melt 1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips in the microwave in 15 to 20 second bursts, stirring between each burst until smooth. Put the melted white chocolate in a small plastic bag, snip a tiny corner and drizzle over the cooled bites.

7. While the drizzle is still wet sprinkle on about 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles or press on 1/3 cup crushed candy canes for peppermint crunch. If you add candy canes chill briefly so they stick and dont fall off.

8. Let everything fully set, then store in an airtight container at room temp up to 3 days or in the fridge if you prefer them extra firm. Tip, use square snap pretzels when you can they hold the chocolate better, and work quickly because the chocolate firms up fast.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven set to 250 F
2. Baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat so the candies dont stick
3. Small spatula or your clean fingers to press M&Ms into the softened Hugs (work quick)
4. Microwave safe bowl or small heatproof bowl for melting white candy melts or chips
5. Small plastic sandwich bag or piping bag plus scissors to snip a tiny corner for drizzling
6. Measuring cups and spoons for the candy melts, sprinkles and crushed canes
7. Zip top bag and rolling pin or small mallet to crush candy canes if using them
8. Cooling rack or plate and a tray for the fridge if you want to speed setting up
9. Airtight container for storing the finished bites at room temp or in the fridge

FAQ

Can I use Hershey's Kisses instead of Hugs? Yes. Kisses work fine, theyre a little different in shape so they might need a touch more time in the oven. Press the M&M onto the chocolate while it is still soft.

What's the best way to melt the Hugs so they dont burn? Put unwrapped Hugs on pretzels on a parchment lined sheet and bake in a 250 F oven for 2 to 4 minutes until the chocolate looks soft but not runny. Remove and press an M&M right away. You can also microwave small batches for 5 to 8 seconds but watch closely.

How do I keep the pretzels crisp? Let the chocolate cool completely, then store in an airtight container with parchment between layers at room temperature. Avoid the fridge, moisture will make them chewy.

How long will they stay fresh? Best within 5 to 7 days at room temp. Stored airtight they can last up to two weeks but may lose some crunch and shine.

When should I add drizzle and sprinkles? Melt the white candy melts and drizzle after the M&M has set. Add sprinkles immediately so they stick, if you wait they wont adhere.

How do I make a peppermint version with crushed candy canes? Sprinkle or gently press crushed candy canes on top right after you press the M&M into the warm chocolate. Dont crush the canes too fine or theyll get soggy, and store in a cool dry place.

Christmas Pretzel Hugs Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Pretzels: if you dont have mini pretzels, use small salted crackers (Ritz Bits or similar), break pretzel rods into 1″ pieces, or try thin butter cookies for a sweeter version.
Hershey’s Hugs: swap with Hershey’s Kisses (almost the same), Rolos for a caramel twist, or use large chocolate chips or Ghirardelli squares if thats what you have.
M&M’s: you can use mini chocolate chips, chopped colored candy like Smarties, or dried cranberries for chew and color (nuts work too if you want crunch).
White candy melts: replace with white chocolate chips or almond bark, or melt white chocolate with a tsp of vegetable shortening to thin it for drizzling (microwave in short bursts and stir).

Pro Tips

– Use square pretzels when you can, they really hold the chocolate better. Put them close enough so they fit a full baking sheet but not touching, and watch the oven the whole time because the Hugs go from glossy to melty super fast.

– Press the M&M into the center right away but dont mash so hard the pretzel snaps. A gentle twist or wiggle helps the chocolate spread and lock the candy on without breaking stuff.

– Melt the white chips in short bursts, stir between each burst, and if it gets too thick add a tiny splash of neutral oil or a few extra seconds in the microwave. Put the melted white in a zip bag, snip a tiny corner for a cleaner drizzle, reheating it a bit if it firms before you finish.

– If you add crushed candy canes, press them on while the drizzle is still wet then chill the tray a few minutes so the bits stick. When storing, layer them with parchment so they dont stick together, and if you chill them for firmness let them come to room temp a few minutes before serving so they taste best.

Christmas Pretzel Hugs Recipe

Recipe by Kate Sinclair

0.0 from 0 votes

I’m excited to share my easy Christmas Pretzels With Hershey Kisses recipe that makes a festive, kid-friendly holiday candy from just a few pantry staples.

Servings

servings

Calories

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven set to 250 F
2. Baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat so the candies dont stick
3. Small spatula or your clean fingers to press M&Ms into the softened Hugs (work quick)
4. Microwave safe bowl or small heatproof bowl for melting white candy melts or chips
5. Small plastic sandwich bag or piping bag plus scissors to snip a tiny corner for drizzling
6. Measuring cups and spoons for the candy melts, sprinkles and crushed canes
7. Zip top bag and rolling pin or small mallet to crush candy canes if using them
8. Cooling rack or plate and a tray for the fridge if you want to speed setting up
9. Airtight container for storing the finished bites at room temp or in the fridge

Ingredients

about 48 mini pretzels (square snaps or twists)
48 Hershey's Hugs chocolates, unwrapped (you can use Hershey's Kisses if needed)
1 cup red and green M&M's (holiday mix) or about 1 cup plain M&M's if you prefer
1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips, for optional drizzle
1/4 cup red and green sprinkles, optional but festive
1/3 cup crushed candy canes, optional for peppermint crunch

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat so the candies don't stick.
Arrange about 48 mini pretzels on the sheet, open center up. Put one unwrapped Hershey's Hugs on each pretzel, or use Kisses if thats what you have.
Bake for 4 to 6 minutes, just until the Hugs are soft and glossy but not puddling. Ovens vary so watch them, they go from soft to melty fast.
Remove pan from oven and immediately press one red or green M&M into the center of each softened Hug, gently squishing so the candy spreads a bit and locks to the pretzel.
Let the Pretzel Hugs set at room temperature about 20 minutes. If youre impatient pop the tray in the fridge for 10 minutes to speed things up.
For a white drizzle melt 1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips in the microwave in 15 to 20 second bursts, stirring between each burst until smooth. Put the melted white chocolate in a small plastic bag, snip a tiny corner and drizzle over the cooled bites.
While the drizzle is still wet sprinkle on about 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles or press on 1/3 cup crushed candy canes for peppermint crunch. If you add candy canes chill briefly so they stick and dont fall off.
Let everything fully set, then store in an airtight container at room temp up to 3 days or in the fridge if you prefer them extra firm. Tip, use square snap pretzels when you can they hold the chocolate better, and work quickly because the chocolate firms up fast.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.