Now that we have learned all the basics about the chocolate covered pretzels, let us proceed to a more original, but no less tasty subject: chocolate covered pretzel rods! In fact, we call them “pretzel rods” to point out the difference between them and the traditional knot-like shaped pretzels about which we have spoken in the main article. But in reality, the pretzel rods are also sometimes referred to as just “pretzels” in English-speaking context. Nevertheless, here we will talk about “chocolate covered pretzel rods” to avoid confusion.
Basically, the chocolate covered pretzel rods keep most of the chocolate covered pretzels advantages: they are tasty, they are not too big and thus convenient to eat and they also look very pretty. We have to admit that the look of the chocolate covered pretzel rods is not so original as that of the chocolate covered traditional pretzels, since the shape is more simple; however, they do look yummy and cheerful, especially when you put quite a few of them in a glass. This kind of serving will make your table more colourful and let everyone see what a lovely dessert they are going to have.
Just like in the situation with the traditionally formed pretzels, you can buy chocolate covered pretzel rods online or at a local supermarket or you can make this dessert yourself. With the chocolate covered pretzel rods, it is even more popular to decorate them with nuts, colourful toppings and sprinkles because, as we have already pointed out, the shape of the pretzel rods is more simple, so they need more decoration to look attractive than the traditional shape. It is quite clear what to do if you would like to buy the chocolate covered pretzel rods, but let us read what you can do if you prefer to ,ake them with your own hands.
The recipe of the chocolate covered pretzel rods is, of course, similar to the one of the chocolate covered pretzels. As we remember, first of all we have to do the baking part. Let us make a couple of corrections, so that you can make a rod instead of a knot shape. Just as before, we will need:
- -0,5 cup of warm water
- -0,125 teaspoon of active dry yeast
- -2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- -0,125 teaspoon of salt
- -1 cup of bread flour
- -3 cups of regular flour
- -2 cups of warm water
- -4 tablespoons of melted butter
- -2 tablespoons of baking soda
Sprinkle yeast on water in a bowl, stir until dissolved. Add sugar and salt and stir again until dissolved. Add the flour and knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Let it rise for at least 30 minutes. In the meantime, let us prepare a soda solution: 2 cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of soda. Make sure to stir the solution often. When the dough has risen, pinch of bits and roll them in a medium length smooth rope, but do not tie it up this time. Dip it in our soda solution and place the pretzel rod on a greased baking sheet. Then let it rise again for a bit and put it in the oven heated to 230 degrees Celsius (or 450 degrees Fahrenheit). Bake the pretzel rods until golden (about 10 minutes) and then brush them with melted butter.
Bingo, the pretzel rods are ready, now let us transform them into chocolate covered pretzel rods!
Take a dark chocolate bar, break it into several small pieces and put it in a saucepan. Switch on a low heat and stir the chocolate pieces until melted. Pour the liquid chocolate into a glass, cup or deep bowl. Dip each rod about two thirds into the chocolate and put it carefully on waxed paper (you can use baking paper) or directly on a dish. Before the chocolate has hardened, you can decorate the pretzels with colourful sprinkles or other fun toppings. In the case of the chocolate covered pretzel rods, the best way to do that would be to put the sprinkles or nut petals in a bowl and dip the rods in it one by one. Now just let the chocolate harden in a refrigerator, and we are done making the chocolate covered pretzel rods!
Whether bought or self-made, just serve the chocolate covered pretzel rods and enjoy your meal!