Candy Cane Pretzel Treats

Running out of time and looking for something quick yet festive?

This is it!

We've been making variations on Hershey's Kiss pretzel kiss treats for years, usually involving round pretzels, milk chocolate kisses, and seasonally colored M & Ms.  They are always a favorite.  Recently we've gotten creative with the new flavors of Hershey's Kisses.  Peanut butter with peanuts.  Caramel with pecans.  Dark chocolate.  Yummy.

Here's a new seasonal twist for Christmas. 

What You Need: (from Cookies and Cups)

and waffle shaped pretzels.  That's all!

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  Place pretzels on baking sheet about 1/2 an inch apart.

Place an unwrapped candy cane kiss on top of each pretzel.

Heat in oven to melt kiss, about 2 - 2 1/2 minutes.  The kiss should be shiny when you remove tray.  Press a second pretzel on top of each kiss.

Place tray in refrigerator until set, at least 15 minutes.  Store in airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Verdict:
Salty and sweet?  Yes please!  So simple yet so delicious.  They will quickly add a festive touch to any cookie tray.  Honestly, the hardest part was finding room for the cookie trays to be placed in the refrigerator!

I think that looks-wise, I still prefer the round pretzel treats.  The waffle shape on top does tend to hide the candy cane pattern.  Plus, the flavors of the round pretzel treats are more universally appealing.  I will probably go back to those next year, but these were a fun twist for a season.

For those of you familiar with the round variety of pretzel treats, a few key differences: unlike the round pretzels, these do not contain all of the melted kiss within the pretzel's walls, so don't place them too close on the cookie sheet; pepperminty white chocolate may ooze out the sides; the peppermint variety of Hershey Kisses have a hard peppermint candy in the center, so they may not appear to press as fully down as the milk chocolate varieties.

But they will be delicious!