Reindeer Rolo Pretzels
These Reindeer Rolo Pretzels are an easy, cute Christmas treat recipe made with only 4 ingredients. It’s a great fun holiday activity with kids, ready in no time. They’re one of the adorable and crowd-favorite holiday treat recipes for parties, bake sales, and even an edible gift.
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They’re easy to make, take hardly any time, and combine the best flavors—salty pretzels, rich caramel Rolos, and sweet candy toppings.
Try my Christmas Rolo Pretzel Bites and Christmas M&Ms Pretzel Hugs. For more Christmas pretzel treat recipe ideas, you may want to try these, too.
How to Make Reindeer Rolo Pretzels
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Preheat your oven to 250°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Set that tray aside!
2. Now, take half of your pretzels and cut them down the center with a sharp knife to make your antlers. Don’t worry if some break unevenly; reindeer don’t need perfect antlers, and you can always match up similar-looking pieces or cut a few extra!
3. Place the whole pretzels onto your lined baking tray, and top each one with an unwrapped Rolo—set it towards the lower half of the pretzel to make room for the antlers later.
4. Pop the tray in the oven for 2-3 minutes. You want the Rolos to soften, but not completely melt. The key is to get them just gooey enough to stick the antlers, eyes, and nose, but still hold their shape. I recommend baking for 2 minutes if your chocolates are at room temp, or 3 minutes if they’ve been in the fridge.
5. Once they’re out of the oven, immediately start placing your pretzel “antlers” on top of each Rolo. Just gently press the cut pretzels into the softened chocolate!
6. Quickly add two candy eyeballs to the top half of each Rolo and finish with an M&M nose! Want Rudolph? Use a red M&M. For the rest of the crew, go for the brown M&Ms. Press them in just enough to stick.
7. Now, let your reindeer harden up. If you’re patient, you can leave them at room temperature for about 20 minutes or stick them in the fridge for 10 minutes to speed things along.
Serve and Enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes
- When cutting pretzels in half for the antlers, expect a few to break unevenly. Cut extra pretzels so you have plenty of good matches.
- Softening the Rolos – Keep a close eye while they’re in the oven. If they melt too much, they’ll lose their shape and be tricky to decorate. Two minutes is usually enough.
- Once the Rolos are softened, add the antlers, eyes, and nose right away before the chocolate firms back up.
- Use red M&Ms for Rudolph and brown for the rest of the reindeer crew. It’s cute to have a mix on your tray!
- Setting time – Letting them harden at room temp works fine, but if you need them ready faster, pop the tray in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days. They also hold up well in the fridge if you need to make them ahead.
Reindeer Rolo Pretzels
Ingredients
- 48 mini pretzel twists
- 24 dark salted caramel Rolos
- 48 candy eyeballs
- 24 red and brown M&M’s
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Set that tray aside!
- Now, take half of your pretzels and cut them down the center with a sharp knife to make your antlers. Don’t worry if some break unevenly; reindeer don’t need perfect antlers, and you can always match up similar-looking pieces or cut a few extra!
- Place the whole pretzels onto your lined baking tray, and top each one with an unwrapped Rolo—set it towards the lower half of the pretzel to make room for the antlers later.
- Pop the tray in the oven for 2-3 minutes. You want the Rolos to soften, but not completely melt. The key is to get them just gooey enough to stick the antlers, eyes, and nose, but still hold their shape. I recommend baking for 2 minutes if your chocolates are at room temp, or 3 minutes if they’ve been in the fridge.
- Once they’re out of the oven, immediately start placing your pretzel "antlers" on top of each Rolo. Just gently press the cut pretzels into the softened chocolate!
- Quickly add two candy eyeballs to the top half of each Rolo and finish with an M&M nose! Want Rudolph? Use a red M&M. For the rest of the crew, go for the brown M&Ms. Press them in just enough to stick.
- Now, let your reindeer harden up. If you’re patient, you can leave them at room temperature for about 20 minutes or stick them in the fridge for 10 minutes to speed things along.
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