Save to Pinterest Buttery, sweet, and salty cookies shaped like pretzels, dipped in chocolate and decorated with festive sprinkles. These pretzel cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations and sure to bring smiles to your dessert table.
I first made these pretzel-shaped cookies as a fun holiday treat with my kids. Watching their excitement as they twisted the dough and sprinkled decorations made baking truly memorable.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (225 g), softened
- Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup (150 g)
- Egg: 1 large
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/4 cups (280 g)
- Baking powder: 1/2 tsp
- Fine sea salt: 1/4 tsp
- Semi-sweet or milk chocolate: 6 oz (170 g), chopped
- Festive sprinkles: 1 cup (120 g), assorted colors
- Flaky sea salt: For sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking sheets:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients:
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Prepare dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine dough:
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Shape cookies:
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a rope about 6 inches (15 cm) long. Shape into a pretzel and place on prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt chocolate:
- Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Decorate cookies:
- Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate, let excess drip off, then place back on parchment.
- Add sprinkles:
- Immediately sprinkle with festive sprinkles (and flaky sea salt, if desired). Let chocolate set before serving or storing.
Save to Pinterest My family loves gathering around the table to shape and decorate these cookies together. It's turned into a cherished holiday tradition for us, sparking laughter and creativity in the kitchen.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire rack, microwave-safe bowl, spatula.
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.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 110 per cookie. Total Fat: 6 g, Carbohydrates: 14 g, Protein: 1 g.
Save to Pinterest With their charming shape and festive flair, these cookies will be the star of your holiday cookie tray. Bake a batch and spread cheer with every delicious bite!
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do you shape the dough like a pretzel?
Roll the dough into ropes about 6 inches long, then twist into a classic pretzel shape before baking for the best results.
- → Can white chocolate be used for dipping?
Yes, you can use white chocolate or colored candy melts to add extra festive variety to your pretzel cookies.
- → How to store these cookies?
Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for up to a week.
- → Are there nut-free decoration options?
Opt for sprinkles and avoid adding nuts in the decorations or use chocolate and sprinkles that are certified nut-free.
- → How can I make these cookies more festive?
Use holiday-themed sprinkles, drizzle with colored chocolate, or add a pinch of flaky sea salt and edible glitter for sparkle.
- → What tools are needed for preparation?
You’ll need mixing bowls, a whisk or mixer, baking sheets lined with parchment, and a microwave-safe bowl for chocolate melting.