Easter Pretzel Sticks (Easter Treat Recipe)

An Easter treat recipe with pretzels, chocolate, and homemade fondant “Peeps” chicks and bunnies. Requiring just five ingredients (and no eggs, and no oven!) these cute Easter pretzel sticks make the easiest treats for spring.

Why Make This Easter Treat Recipe?

These Peep-inspired Easter pretzels are easy to make, with no baking or cooking required. (And they’re eggless, which is definitely a plus amidst the current shortages!)  In fact, these treats are so easy that even children can help with the shaping and dipping.

A “bouquet” of Easter pretzels makes a cute centerpiece for a party or brunch. I like to fill a glass or jar with a handful of shredded crinkle cut paper (or pastel-colored tissue paper) and arrange my Easter treats like I’m arranging freshly cut flowers. The only difference? These Easter pretzels will stay fresh for several weeks, no watering required.

Ingredients for Making Easter Pretzel Sticks

To make these easy Easter treats, start by gathering the following:

• Pretzel Sticks – Use thin pretzel sticks rather than rods. (I used Lajkonik, a Polish brand readily available on Amazon.) These measure about 5 inches long and 1/4-inch thick. Any similarly-sized pretzel sticks will work. Rods will work in a pinch, but you’ll need to adjust the amount of fondant accordingly.
• Fondant – I used about 180 grams, or 6 1/4 ounces, of white fondant to make the “Peep” chick and bunny decorations for my pretzel sticks.
  

• Gel Food Coloring – I divided my fondant into 4 portions, and tinted it pink, purple, blue, and yellow, just like real Peeps. For gel food coloring, I recommend the Chefmaster brand. I used their Neon Brite Pink, Neon Brite Purple, Neon Brite Blue, and Neon Brite Yellow colors.
• Chocolate – For dipping the pretzels, and painting the eyes. You’ll only need a small amount, so feel free to use chocolate, chocolate chips, or bits of couverture left over from other projects. Milk chocolate will also work.
• Edible Glitter – I dusted my fondant shapes with edible glitter. Totally optional, but I love the extra sparkle!

How to Make These Easy Easter Treats

This Easter treat recipe takes a bit of time and elbow grease, but it’s actually quite simple. To make, I simply:

• Color and shape fondant into cute chicks and bunnies (look to real Peeps as a guide!)
• Melt chocolate in the microwave, then dip the ends of the pretzel sticks to attach the fondant decorations.
• Use the same melted chocolate to paint eyes on each bunny and chick.
• Dust the finished product with edible glitter for a festive, fun treat!

Skip to the recipe below for step-by-step instructions (and process photos) to make your own Easter pretzels.

Tips for Shaping the Fondant Peeps

It’s fun to mold the colored fondant into “Peep” inspired chicks and bunnies. You can make each shape as simple (or as elaborate) as you’d like, depending on your skill level. A few things to keep in mind:

• Pay attention to size. Keep your chicks and bunnies on the smaller side (mine measured about 1 1/2 inches in length). Big, heavy decorations will make the treats top-heavy or even cause the pretzel sticks to break. If you want to make very large Peeps, opt for pretzel rods instead of thin sticks.
• Cover the fondant. Fondant dries quickly. Keep the balls wrapped in clingfilm/plastic wrap to prevent the fondant from drying when not in use.

Tools and Supplies for Making Easter Pretzels

To make these Easter pretzel treats, I suggest keeping these basic tools on hand::

• Fondant Tool Set – A cheap set of fondant tools makes crafting the decorations much easier. (These also come in handy for all sorts of kitchen projects, from cookie decorating to making novelty macarons!)
• Food Safe Paint Brush – You’ll need a clean, food safe paint brush with a fine tip for dotting the chocolate eyes.
• Microwave  – For melting the chocolate. If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the chocolate over a bain marie or double boiler instead.
• Silicone Mat – I like to line my countertop with a silicone mat for easy cleanup, and line a tray with a second mat as a place to arrange and dry the fondant Peeps. If you don’t have a silicone mat, use parchment or wax paper instead.
• Clingfilm – It’s important to keep a roll of clingfilm/plastic wrap nearby. You’ll need it to cover the tray as you’re working, and to wrap the balls of fondant so they don’t dry out.
• Rubber Gloves – Wear rubber gloves to work the gel coloring into the fondant, to prevent staining your hands.

Packaging and Gifting Easter Treats

For an Easter party, arrange and display bouquets of pretzel sticks in shallow glasses, cups, or vases.  Stuff the bottom of each cup with shredded, pastel-colored paper, Easter confetti, or jelly beans.

To package these for Easter basket or classroom treats, pop them into Easter print cello bags and tie with a pastel bow.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Do not store these Easter treats in the sun. The fondant Peeps will fade (or change color) if exposed to sun for a prolonged period. I recommend storing in a cool, dark place (such as a pantry or cabinet), away from direct sunlight.

Easter pretzels will last for 2-3 weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Other Easter treat recipes you might enjoy:

Easter Bark Recipe with Mini Eggs
Easy Easter Brownies with Buttercream
Easter Rice Krispie Bird Nest Treats
Buttercream Easter Eggs
Easter Candy Corn

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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