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An original practice recipe, not independently kitchen-tested. Times and yields are estimates. This version uses green candy melting wafers, which are confectionery coating rather than necessarily chocolate. The artwork shows the idea.
These little trees are drawn with a zigzag, not a ruler. A short branch here and a slightly dramatic lean there make the forest more interesting. The important part is giving the coating enough contact with the pretzel to hold together.
Ingredients
- 10 thin pretzel sticks, each about 3–4 inches long
- 8 ounces (225 g) green candy melting wafers
- 1 tablespoon small red and yellow sprinkles
- 10 small edible star decorations
Check the package before buying colored wafers; ingredients and allergens vary. This recipe does not call for adding ordinary liquid food coloring to chocolate. If you change the coating, use a method intended for that specific product.
Set up before melting
Line a tray with parchment and place the pretzel sticks about 3 inches apart. Leave room to pipe a tree about 2 inches wide over each stick. Prepare a food-safe piping bag suitable for the coating’s handling temperature, or plan to use a teaspoon for looser shapes.
Make the tiny forest
- Melt the green wafers in a dry bowl following the package directions. Adults should handle the hot coating. Let it reach a safely manageable piping temperature according to the product and bag instructions.
- Place a small amount in the piping bag and cut only a small opening. Start with one practice tree. A spoon can also drizzle the coating in broad lines.
- Begin near the top of a pretzel and zigzag from side to side, gradually widening toward the bottom. Leave the lowest inch of pretzel visible as the trunk. Make overlapping lines, not isolated thin threads.
- While the coating is soft, add a few sprinkles and one edible star at the top. Repeat with the remaining sticks.
- Let the trees set flat and undisturbed according to the coating’s instructions, roughly 30 minutes as a planning estimate. Once firm, peel the parchment away gently while supporting each tree from underneath.
When a branch breaks
A narrow line can snap when lifted. Pipe a slightly fuller zigzag next time, or patch the break with a little melted coating while the tree lies flat. Keep the treats on a plate rather than standing them upright. If the forest turns into abstract shapes, it is still a plate of sweet-and-salty treats.
Pack them with space
Use a shallow food-safe box and avoid pressure on the tops. Add parchment between layers only if the coating is firm enough and the branches sturdy enough. For a more protective gift, pack a few trees in a single layer beside dipped shortbread.
Follow all ingredient storage instructions and make close to sharing for the best pretzel texture. No shelf-life or mailing test has been performed. Coatings and pretzels may contain milk, wheat, soy or other allergens, and hard decorations can be unsuitable for young children.
Pair your trees with snowman bark and reindeer cookies, or add them to the treat planner to combine your ingredients.