Strawberry Hot Chocolate With Chocolate Pretzel Dippers Recipes

CRISPY CHOCOLATE DIPPERS

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate wafers with the chocolate hazelnut-spread in a microwave or double boiler and stir together. Add the nuts and stir.
• Break the breadsticks in half and dip the halves in the chocolate-nut mixture. Dip the other dippers--pretzels, saltines and crackers--to coat. Lay on waxed paper and sprinkle with chopped almonds, chocolate chips, crushed mints and/or sprinkles. Allow to set before serving.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Cut a strip of baking parchment and leave to one side. To melt the dark chocolate, fill a small pan with 2cm water and bring to a simmer. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and rest it on top of the pan, ensuring the bowl isn't touching the water. Stir the chocolate to gradually melt it. Or, melt the chocolate in 20 second blasts in the microwave, stirring after each blast until melted. Put the melted chocolate in a small deep bowl.
• Gently hold the strawberries by the leafy top and dip into the chocolate. Tap off any excess chocolate and put on the parchment to set. If you have any leftover chocolate, pour it onto another strip of parchment and leave it to set, it can be used again.
• If you'd like to decorate the strawberries, melt the white and milk chocolate and drizzle lightly over the fruit.

CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY PRETZEL COOKIES

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.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED STRAWBERRIES

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).

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Wash strawberries and gently pat with paper towels until completely dry. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt semisweet chocolate and 1 tablespoon shortening at 50% power; stir until smooth. Dip each strawberry and place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze strawberries for 5 minutes., Meanwhile, microwave white chocolate and remaining shortening at 30% power until melted; stir until smooth. Stir in food coloring if desired. Drizzle over strawberries. Refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZELS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate and cream in double boiler over low heat, stirring constantly.
• Dip pretzels one at a time quickly to coat while mixture is still very warm. Place pretzels on wax paper to set and cool.