Save Buttery, sweet, and salty cookies shaped like pretzels, dipped in chocolate and decorated with festive sprinkles are perfect for holiday celebrations. These cookies blend classic flavors with a touch of seasonal fun, making them a wonderful addition to any festive table.
I first made these pretzel-shaped cookies for a Christmas party, and they quickly disappeared from the dessert tray. The combination of buttery dough and chocolatey decoration prompted requests for the recipe from nearly everyone who tried them.
Ingredients
- Dough: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- Dough: 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- Dough: 1 large egg
- Dough: 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Dough: 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- Dough: 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Dough: 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- Decoration: 6 oz (170 g) semi-sweet or milk chocolate, chopped
- Decoration: 1 cup (120 g) festive sprinkles (red, green, white, gold, etc.)
- Decoration: Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Shape Dough:
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a rope about 6 inches (15 cm) long. Shape each rope into a pretzel and place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt Chocolate:
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Decorate Cookies:
- Dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off, then place back on the parchment.
- Add Festive Touch:
- Immediately sprinkle with festive sprinkles (and a pinch of flaky sea salt, if desired). Let the chocolate set before serving or storing.
Save Decorating these cookies together has become a beloved holiday tradition for our family. Each year, everyone gets creative with sprinkles, and laughter always fills the kitchen as we make sweet memories.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), egg, dairy (butter, chocolate). May contain traces of nuts if using certain chocolate or decorations. Always check ingredient labels for allergens.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire rack, microwave-safe bowl, spatula
Nutritional Information
Each cookie contains approximately 110 calories, 6 g total fat, 14 g carbohydrates, and 1 g protein.
Save Serve these colorful cookies for a cheerful holiday treat or gift them to loved ones. Everyone will appreciate the extra festive touch!
Recipe Guide
- → How do I shape the dough into pretzels?
Roll about 1 tablespoon of dough into a 6-inch rope, then twist into a classic pretzel shape and place on baking sheets.
- → Can I use different types of chocolate for dipping?
Yes, semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate or colored candy melts all work well for coating and decoration.
- → How long do the cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, the cookies remain fresh for up to one week at room temperature.
- → Are these cookies suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the cookies use egg and dairy but include no meat or animal-derived gelatin, making them vegetarian-friendly.
- → Can I add nuts to these cookies?
Chopped toasted pecans or almonds can be sprinkled on the chocolate for added crunch and flavor.
- → What ingredient substitutions work for allergies?
Use dairy-free butter and chocolate alternatives if needed, and check all ingredient labels for allergens.