Strawberry Hot Chocolate With Chocolate Pretzel Dippers Recipes

Steps:

• In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
• Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
• Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, mix ground pretzels, flour and baking powder; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk. Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-1/2-in. tree-shaped cookie cutter. Using a floured 1-3/4-in. tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut out the centers of half of the cookies. Place solid and window cookies 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Bake until edges are light brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Spread melted chocolate onto bottoms of solid cookies; let stand until firm. Spread jam over cooled chocolate; top with window cookies. Dust lightly with confectioners' sugar. Freeze option: Freeze undecorated cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw in covered containers and decorate as directed.

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with parchment; set aside. , In a double boiler or metal bowl over hot water, melt chocolate until 2/3 pieces are melted. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. Stir in 1 cup pretzels. Spread into prepared pan; top with strawberries and remaining pretzels (pan will not be full). Refrigerate until firm, 15-20 minutes. Break or cut into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Gently rinse strawberries and dry on paper towels (berries must be completely dry). Line cookie sheet with waxed paper.
• In 1-quart saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
• Dip lower half of each strawberry into chocolate mixture; allow excess to drip back into saucepan. Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
• Refrigerate uncovered about 30 minutes or until chocolate is firm, or until ready to serve. Store covered in refrigerator so chocolate does not soften (if made with oil, chocolate will soften more quickly at room temperature).