If you’re searching for the ultimate crowd-pleasing holiday treat, look no further: Christmas Pretzel Hugs are the perfect combination of sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy. These bite-sized delights look festive on any dessert table, require just three simple ingredients, and practically beg to be shared with friends and family. Whether you’re assembling holiday cookie trays or searching for a quick edible gift, Christmas Pretzel Hugs always deliver that magical blend of nostalgia and flavor in every single bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Pretzel Hugs:
- 1 bag (about 8 oz) mini pretzel twists or squares
Hershey’s Hugs:
- 1 bag (12 oz) Hershey’s Hugs (milk chocolate + white crème striped candies)
Red and Green M&M’s:
- 1 bag (10 oz) red and green M&M’s (holiday edition)
How to Make Christmas Pretzel Hugs
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to a gentle 200°F, then line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This step makes clean-up a total breeze and ensures your Christmas Pretzel Hugs don’t stick—trust me, you’ll want to keep that gorgeous stripe pattern perfectly intact!
Step 2: Arrange the Pretzels
Spread the mini pretzels out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. You want every pretzel to have its own space so the chocolate can melt evenly and you don’t end up with a melted candy mess.
Step 3: Unwrap and Top Each Pretzel
Now for the fun part: unwrap all those Hershey’s Hugs (it’s a great job for little helpers) and place one right in the center of each pretzel. Each hug should nestle comfortably, creating the perfect landing pad for your M&M later.
Step 4: Bake Just Until Soft
Slip your tray into the oven for about 4 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully—the goal is to get the Hugs soft and shiny, but not melted into a puddle. The stripes should still look crisp, and the chocolate will be gently melty.
Step 5: Add the M&M’s
The second the tray comes out of the oven, press one red or green M&M into the center of each warm Hug. The chocolate will spread just enough to secure the candy on top, while the M&M keeps its color and crunch.
Step 6: Cool and Set
Let your Christmas Pretzel Hugs cool at room temperature until the chocolate is firm—if you need them quickly, just pop the whole tray in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. They’ll set up beautifully and be easy to handle or package.
How to Serve Christmas Pretzel Hugs
Garnishes
While these cuties are already beautifully striped and peppered with bright pops of M&M color, you can add a little pizzazz by sprinkling a touch of edible glitter or adding a drizzle of melted white chocolate for that extra sparkle. Sometimes I’ll tuck a few crushed peppermint pieces onto a few, especially if I’m already in the holiday spirit.
Side Dishes
Christmas Pretzel Hugs are fantastic on their own, but they’re also a whimsical addition to any Christmas cookie tray or dessert board. Pair them with sugar cookies, chocolate bark, or even a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Their sweet-and-salty kick also contrasts nicely alongside spiced nuts or dried fruit for grazing at parties.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re giving these as gifts, scoop Christmas Pretzel Hugs into mason jars, cellophane bags tied with holiday ribbon, or festive tins. For party favors, arrange them in mini cupcake liners or stack them in clear treat boxes. Layering them with other homemade candies makes a beautiful edible “tower” on a dessert table too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once set, Christmas Pretzel Hugs keep beautifully at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container (preferably in a cool spot) and they’ll stay fresh and crunchy for up to a week—perfect for nibbling whenever a sweet craving strikes.
Freezing
Absolutely! Place your Pretzel Hugs in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, using parchment paper between layers if needed. They’ll freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and they’ll taste just as delicious and festive as the day you made them.
Reheating
Since Christmas Pretzel Hugs are meant to be eaten at room temperature or slightly chilled, there’s no real need to reheat them. If you want to re-create that just-made softness, warm them briefly (about 5 seconds in the microwave)—but be careful, as the chocolate can melt quickly!
FAQs
Can I use other flavors of Hershey’s Hugs or Kisses?
Absolutely! One of the joys of Christmas Pretzel Hugs is how easily you can switch them up. Try caramel-filled Kisses, dark chocolate, or even peppermint for a totally different twist. Just keep an eye on the melting times as some candies soften faster than others.
What if I can’t find red and green holiday M&M’s?
No worries! Any color M&M’s will do—just match them to the occasion or your mood. For other seasons, try pastel colors for spring or bold ones for birthdays and game days.
Can I make Christmas Pretzel Hugs gluten-free?
Definitely! Just use your favorite brand of gluten-free pretzels and double-check the ingredients on your candies to make sure they’re safe for gluten-free eaters.
How do I keep the chocolate from over-melting?
The secret is watching them closely in the oven. As soon as the Hugs look shiny but still hold their shape, pull them out! It’s better to check early than have a tray of melted chocolate puddles.
Are these kid-friendly to make?
Absolutely—they’re one of the best holiday projects for little hands! Kids love unwrapping the candies, placing M&M’s, and of course, sneaking a few bites during assembly. Just handle the hot baking tray for them.
Final Thoughts
I promise, once you whip up a batch of Christmas Pretzel Hugs, you’ll find yourself making them every holiday season (and probably a few non-holidays too). They’re the kind of easy, irresistible treats that spark memories and smiles with every bite. Go ahead, gather your favorite candies, and spread a little joy—your friends and family will love you for it!
Print
Christmas Pretzel Hugs Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: About 80 pretzel hugs 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Pretzel Hugs are a delightful holiday treat that combines the salty crunch of pretzels with the sweet creaminess of Hershey’s Hugs and colorful M&M’s. Easy to make and perfect for gifting or serving at festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Pretzel Hugs:
- 1 bag (about 8 oz) mini pretzel twists or squares
Hershey’s Hugs:
- 1 bag (12 oz) Hershey’s Hugs (milk chocolate + white crème striped candies)
Red and Green M&M’s:
- 1 bag (10 oz) red and green M&M’s (holiday edition)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange pretzels on the baking sheet.
- Add Hugs: Unwrap the Hershey’s Hugs and place one on each pretzel.
- Bake: Bake for 4–5 minutes until Hugs are soft but shiny. Press an M&M into each Hug.
- Cool and Store: Let the pretzel hugs cool until set. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- You can customize with different flavored Hugs or M&M’s for various occasions.
- Great for gifting, cookie trays, or party treats.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pretzel hugs
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
