America loves pizza and pretzels. From mini bites to loaded versions, it seems like we can never get enough pizza or pretzels. Now it is time for both of them to be elevated to superstar status. You can substitute your favorite chocolate and include other toppings for the ones I have listed below. Kids can also get involved in making their custom treats. This is also a great way to keep older kids entertained at birthday parties.
Start with a pre-baked sugar cookie crust. I like to use a homemade sugar cookie instead of the refrigerated cookie dough found at most grocery stores. Freshness counts here. You can vary the sizes of your sugar cookie crust for the number of people you want to serve. Place the sugar cookie on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Spread a mixture of broken pieces of milk chocolate and white chocolate over your sugar cookie. Take some miniature sized marshmallows and spread them over the chocolate. Slice up some bananas and add those to the top of the marshmallows. Add your favorite chopped nuts.
In a preheated 400 degree oven, place your cookie sheet and heat for 3-5 minutes, depending on the cookie size, or until marshmallow melts and is golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely. Melt some peanut butter candy coating in the microwave at 10 second intervals until smooth and then drizzle it over your chocolate pizza.
To make chocolate covered pretzels, you start with miniature pretzel rods. These are easier to work with than the larger variety. In a microwave-safe bowl, add a regular sized bag of caramel bits and two tablespoons of liquid whipping cream. Stir together and then place into the microwave for 10 second intervals until the caramel mixture is completely smooth. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Use parchment paper sprayed with butter spray to cover your counter. Dip a miniature pretzel rod into the caramel mixture at a angle. You want to cover two-thirds of the pretzel rod. Twist the pretzel rod to remove the excess caramel and then place it on the butter spray covered parchment paper. Repeat until all of the caramel mixture has been used. The caramel mixture will start to get hard and can be placed in the microwave again at 10 second intervals until softened and smooth again. Let caramel set until completely cool. If the caramel has spread out from the pretzel, you can gently wrap it around the pretzel to smooth it out, or you can use kitchen shears to remove the excess and smooth the caramel to get ready for dipping in the chocolate.
In another microwave safe bowl, melt mint chocolate wafers at 10 second intervals until smooth. Remove the miniature pretzel rods from the parchment paper one at a time and dip them into the melted chocolate mixture at an angle. Twist them to remove the excess chocolate and then place back on the parchment paper to cool. Make sure that you set them down on the flat side or they will roll over and mess up the chocolate coating. Allow to completely cool before eating. If you want to add nuts, coconut or any other topping, you can add it immediately after you dip the caramel covered pretzel rods into the chocolate coating.
Either of these chocolate treats would make a great gift for someone you love. Smile and enjoy.
Debra J. Mosely is the author of The Cake & Cookie Closet: All Dolled Up in Sugar and The Cake & Cookie Closet: Mini Wedding Treats (release date August 2011). She's out to teach the world how to "dream in sugar" with simple techniques and great tips that teach you how to become a sugar star. Check her out and tell your family and friends about her. http://www.thecakeandcookiecloset.com/
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