If you’re on the hunt for a fun, festive, and crowd-pleasing treat, you’re going to fall in love with Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style}. These bite-sized delights are the perfect marriage of salty crunch, creamy chocolate, and a pop of colorful, candy-coated sweetness. They’re so easy to make and absolutely irresistible—ideal for holiday parties, homemade gifts, or just a cheerful snack with a mug of cocoa!
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Pretzel Base
- 48 mini pretzel twists or squares
Chocolate
- 48 Hershey’s Hugs chocolates (unwrapped)
Topping
- 48 red and green holiday M&M’s
How to Make Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style}
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—this makes cleanup a breeze and keeps the melty chocolates from sticking. Lay out the pretzels in a single, even layer. This is a great step for little helpers, making sure each pretzel has its own space to shine.
Step 2: Top Each Pretzel with a Hug
Place an unwrapped Hershey’s Hug on top of every pretzel. The Hugs should sit right in the center, ready to melt into all those salty nooks and crannies. This is where the magic starts—chocolate and pretzel, meeting at last!
Step 3: Gently Bake
Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for just 4–5 minutes. Watch closely: you’re looking for the Hugs to soften and turn glossy, but they should still hold their shape. You don’t want them to melt into a puddle—just become soft enough to press.
Step 4: Add the M&M’s
Working quickly (but gently!), press a red or green M&M right into the center of each softened Hug. The chocolate will yield just enough to cradle the candy. Alternate colors for the full Christmas effect, or let your creativity run wild.
Step 5: Cool and Set
Let the tray cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps the chocolate set up just enough before you speed things along by popping them in the fridge for another 10–15 minutes. Once they’re firm to the touch, your Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style} are ready to enjoy or package up for gifts!
How to Serve Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style}
Garnishes
These treats are naturally eye-catching, but you can make them even more festive! Try a light dusting of edible glitter, or arrange them on a platter with sprigs of rosemary or holly for a merry touch. If you want to get fancy, drizzle with a bit of white chocolate for extra flair.
Side Dishes
Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style} are perfect for sharing alongside other holiday sweets. Pair them with spiced nuts, peppermint bark, or classic sugar cookies to create a dazzling dessert spread. They’re also wonderful with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee for a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, pile these treats into clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon, or layer them in a holiday tin with parchment paper for a homemade touch. If you’re serving them at a party, fill a mason jar and let guests help themselves, or arrange them in a wreath shape on a platter for a stunning centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style} are set, transfer them to an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week—if they last that long! Just make sure they’re in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch ahead of time, these treats freeze beautifully. Arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container (with parchment between layers to prevent sticking). They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to two months, ready to pull out whenever you need a quick holiday snack or last-minute gift.
Reheating
These bites are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you’ve frozen them, just let them thaw on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving. No need to reheat in the oven—just enjoy their sweet, salty goodness as is.
FAQs
Can I use regular Hershey’s Kisses instead of Hugs?
Absolutely! While the swirled Hugs are especially festive, any variety of Hershey’s Kisses (or even Rolos for a caramel twist) works wonderfully. The main thing is to use a chocolate that will soften quickly and taste great with pretzels and M&Ms.
How can I switch up the colors for other holidays?
That’s the beauty of this recipe! Just swap in different M&M colors: pastels for Easter, orange and brown for Halloween, or classic rainbow for birthday parties. Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style} easily transform to match any celebration.
Do I have to use mini pretzels, or will regular ones work?
Mini pretzels are the perfect size for these treats, but you can use regular pretzel twists or squares if that’s what you have. Just be aware that the ratio of chocolate to pretzel will change a bit, and you might need to add an extra Hug or M&M to cover more surface area.
Can I make Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style} with kids?
This is a fantastic recipe for little hands! Kids can help arrange pretzels, top with chocolates, and press in the M&Ms. Just supervise them during the quick oven step, as the baking sheet will be hot.
What’s the best way to package these for gifts?
Layer Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style} in festive tins, clear treat bags, or even small mason jars. Add a holiday tag and ribbon for a sweet, personal touch that everyone will love receiving!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to whip up a batch of Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style}. There’s just something magical about the combination of salty, sweet, and festive that brings out the holiday cheer in everyone. Give them a try, share them with friends and family, and watch these merry little bites disappear from your table!
Print
Pretzel M&M Hugs {Christmas Style} Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including cooling and chilling)
- Yield: 48 pieces 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the perfect sweet and salty holiday treat with these Pretzel M&M Hugs. Combining crunchy mini pretzels, smooth Hershey’s Hugs chocolates, and colorful red and green M&M’s, this festive recipe is quick to make and ideal for Christmas parties, gifting, or adding a cheerful touch to your cookie trays.
Ingredients
Pretzel Base
- 48 mini pretzel twists or squares
Chocolate
- 48 Hershey’s Hugs chocolates (unwrapped)
Topping
- 48 red and green holiday M&M’s
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Pretzels: Lay out 48 mini pretzel twists or squares in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Place Hugs: Unwrap the Hershey’s Hugs chocolates and place one on top of each pretzel piece evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 4 to 5 minutes, just until the Hugs begin to soften and develop a glossy appearance while still holding their shape.
- Add M&Ms: Remove the tray from the oven and immediately press one holiday red or green M&M into the center of each softened Hug, gently pressing down to set.
- Cool and Set: Allow the treats to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to let the chocolates fully set and harden.
- Store: Once firm, store the Pretzel M&M Hugs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Customize the M&M colors for various holidays or special occasions to suit your theme.
- Experiment with Hershey’s Kisses or Rolos instead of Hugs for a different flavor and texture.
- These treats are perfect for holiday gift boxes, cookie trays, or festive party snacks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake / Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
