This sweet and salty snack is the perfect addition to your party table, or for bring as a hostess gift. It's so easy to make and they're the perfect pop-able size. These pretzel M&M hugs have also been called reindeer noses, and are an adorable treat during the holiday season but also are great year round. I typically make them for Christmas but they're perfect for Halloween too since they're a mix of salty and sweet!
The best part about these pretzel m&m treats is that the hardest and most tedious part is unwrapping the Hug wrappers. It takes about a half hour from start to finish, and it's fun for kids to help with. Set these out and enjoy for a kiddo Christmas party, or serve with festive grinch kabobs for a fun appetizer tray.
Ingredients
- Grid pretzels- they catch way more of the melting chocolate!
- Hershey's Hugs- you could use another seasonal flavor like the candy canes, I'd just recommend making sure there's white chocolate in the candy.
- M&M's
Prepping and Assembly Tips
- Unwrap all of your Hershey hugs. I always do this first because it's the most tedious part of the recipe. Which, I think is an indicator of how easy this is!
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
- And a layer of your pretzels to the baking sheet.
- Add the hugs on top of the pretzels, somewhat centered.
Baking and Storage Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. While it preheats, (this won't take long) add your baking sheet with your pretzels and hugs to the oven.
- Keep an eye on them as they bake, it will take about 4-5 minutes for the chocolate to soften enough to press a M&M flat. Around 4 minutes I test this.
- If the M&M goes flat against the chocolate after your test, remove from the oven.
- Quickly (and carefully, the baking sheet will be hot) add a M&M to the top of each hug, pressing down so that they adhere together.
- Place tray in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to allow to chill and harden.
- Store your Christmas pretzel M&M hugs (I call them reindeer noses too) in an airtight container before serving, for up to a few weeks, but they really won't last that long! 🙂
FAQ
Make sure to use grid pretzels, they catch more of the chocolate as it melts and provides a great base for your m&m!
White chocolate or Hershey hugs work best for this type of recipe because of how smoothly it melts.
Stick them in the fridge for at least 5-10 minutes, or as long as you need to. This will help speed up the chocolate re-hardening and make them ready to snack on!
📖 Recipe
Christmas Pretzel M&M Hugs
Equipment
- 1 oven
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 piece parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 bag Christmas M&M's or color of choice for any other holiday.
- 1 bag Hershey's hugs could also try with seasonal flavors.
- 1 bag grid pretzels
Instructions
- Unwrap all of your Hershey hugs. I always do this first because it's the most tedious part of the recipe.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.And a layer of your pretzels to the baking sheet. Add the hugs on top of the pretzels, somewhat centered.
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After or even while it preheats, (this won't take long) add your baking sheet with your pretzels and hugs to the oven.
- Keep an eye on them as they bake, it will take about 4-5 minutes for the chocolate to soften enough to press a M&M flat. Around 4 minutes I test this.
- If the M&M goes flat against the chocolate after your test, remove from the oven.
- Quickly (and carefully, the baking sheet will be hot) add a M&M to the top of each hug, pressing down so that they adhere together.
- Place tray in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to allow to chill and harden. Store your Christmas pretzel M&M hugs (I call them reindeer noses too) in an airtight container before serving, for up to a few weeks, but they really won't last that long!
Claire says
These have been a hit at every party I've made them for!
Elsie larson says
This is so cute Claire!