Hungry Happenings

  • RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Decorated Cookies
    • Decorated Cakes
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Everyday Desserts
    • Homemade Candy
    • Everyday Meals
    • Readers’ Gallery
  • HOW TO
    • Chocolate Making Tips
    • Chocolate Making Course (video lessons)
    • Make Modeling Chocolate
      • Modeling Chocolate Recipe and Tutorial
      • How to Color Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Store and Work with Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Fix Greasy Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Fix Dry Modeling Chocolate
      • Use Colored Candy Melts to Make Candy Clay
    • Candy Clay Creations
    • How To Color White Chocolate and Candy Melts and Paint Candy Molds
    • How to Use Food Coloring Markers
  • HOLIDAYS
    • ALL HOLIDAY RECIPES
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
      • Hungry Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • MORE HOLIDAYS
      • Mother's Day
      • Father's Day
      • April Fools
      • Chinese New Year
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Day of the Dead
      • Earth Day
      • Mardi Gras
  • PARTY FOOD
    • Super Bowl
    • Graduation
    • Birthday Party
    • March Madness
    • Summer Fun
    • Baby Shower
    • Wedding Shower
    • School/Teacher
    • Movie and T.V. Characters
    • Kid's Treats
    • Fun Party Recipes
  • MY COOKBOOKS
  • ABOUT
  • MY BLOGS
    • HowToMakeCerealTreats.com
    • HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    • HowToMakeEasyFudge.com
    • TheSugarAcademy.com
menu icon
go to homepage
  • recipes
  • chocolate tips
  • about
  • cookbooks
  • subscribe
  • holiday recipes
  • Halloween recipes
  • party food
  • appetizers
  • decorated cheese balls
  • cute food for kids
  • dessert recipes
  • chocolate recipes
  • homemade candy
  • decorated cakes
  • cupcake recpes
  • cheesecake recipes
  • cookie recipes
  • rice krispie treats recipes
  • fudge recipes
  • modeling chocolate treats
  • ice cream recipes
  • popcorn recipes
  • everyday meals
  • recipe roundups
  • readers' gallery
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • recipes
    • chocolate tips
    • about
    • cookbooks
    • subscribe
    • holiday recipes
    • Halloween recipes
    • party food
    • appetizers
    • decorated cheese balls
    • cute food for kids
    • dessert recipes
    • chocolate recipes
    • homemade candy
    • decorated cakes
    • cupcake recpes
    • cheesecake recipes
    • cookie recipes
    • rice krispie treats recipes
    • fudge recipes
    • modeling chocolate treats
    • ice cream recipes
    • popcorn recipes
    • everyday meals
    • recipe roundups
    • readers' gallery
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Dessert Recipes » Chocolates

    Graduation Party Pretzel Pops - New Video Tutorial

    Modified: Mar 4, '24 · Published: Apr 7, '18 · By: Beth Klosterboer · Commission earned on paid or sponsored links.

    Make your commencement celebration extra special by serving Graduation Party Pretzel Pops. These white chocolate dipped pretzels decorated with modeling chocolate graduation caps can be personalized with the year of graduation, the school or the graduate's name.

    Post originally published on May 17, 2013.

    Graduation Pretzel Pops decorated with modeling chocolate grad caps and date.

    Whether you have a kid graduating from kindergarten or college, I bet they'll love these graduation pretzel pops. I made them to serve at one of the many high school graduation parties I'll be attending this year.

    Each treat is made by dipping a pretzel rod into white chocolate then decorating it with a dark modeling chocolate graduation cap and the year "2013" (this, of course can be changed to the present year.) The chocolate pretzel pops can be served as dessert, used to top a graduation gift, or given as party favors.

    Make your commencement celebration extra special by serving Graduation Party Pretzel Pops. These white chocolate dipped pretzels decorated with modeling chocolate graduation caps can be personalized with the year of graduation, the school or the graduate's name.

    Personalized Graduation Pretzel Pops

    TIP to keep the chocolate from cracking on your pretzels. 

    • Chocolate shrinks as it cools and when it shrinks onto something hard, it might crack.
    • If you take the pretzels out of the bag and allow them to sit at room temperature for several hours or overnight, they will soften just enough to keep the chocolate coating from cracking, but not enough to become stale.

    To make your Graduation Pretzel Pops you will need:

    pretzel rods dipped in melted and tempered pure white chocolate or  in melted white confectionery coating (candy melts)*
    semi-sweet modeling chocolate, recipe here**
    white modeling chocolate, recipe here**
    small square cookie cutter
    knife
    small number cutters
    clay extruder

    *See my Chocolate Making Tips page for information about the different types of chocolate and how to melt them.

    **I recommend you make your own modeling chocolate. It's a simple 2-ingredient recipe. But if you don't want to, you can purchase pre-made modeling chocolate. See the links below.

    You can also find detailed instructions for working with modeling chocolate (candy clay) in my book, Candy Clay Creations.

    Candy Clay Creations

    You can find these supplies on amazon (commission earned for sales)

    Utz Old Fashioned Pretzel R...Shop on AmazonBarry Callebaut White Couve...Shop on AmazonWilton White Candy Melts, 1...Shop on AmazonCake Art - Modeling Chocola...Shop on AmazonSurgeHai Mini Cookie Cutter...Shop on AmazonLOHOME Figure Cookie Mold -...Shop on Amazon
     

    Instructions for decorating white chocolate graduation pretzel pops.

    How to make graduation pretzel pops using white chocolate pretzels and modeling chocolate.

    How to make the modeling chocolate mortarboard graduation cap and year.

    • roll out semi-sweet modeling chocolate to about ⅛th inch thickness
    • use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut a 1 ½ inch square
    • cut a ½ inch wide x 2 inch long strip
    • cut the date using small number cutters
    • if you prefer, and your graduates name is short, cut out his/her name using alphabet cutters
    • knead and roll some white modeling chocolate into a thin log, place it in a clay extruder fitted with a multi hole plate, press on the plunger, and allow the modeling chocolate to come out in fine hair like strips
    • cut off 1 ½ inch long sections of the modeling chocolate and pinch together one end to create a tassel
    • pinch off a tiny piece of white modeling chocolate, roll it into a ball, then flatten it.
    • attach the tassel to the square piece of semi-sweet modeling chocolate with a dot of white chocolate or clear piping gel
    • add the flattened ball on top

    How to attach the modeling chocolate decorations to the white chocolate dipped pretzel.

    • use melted white chocolate or clear piping gel as glue to attach the modeling chocolate pieces to the white chocolate covered pretzel rod
    • start by wrapping the long strip of dark modeling chocolate around the top part of the pretzel
    • cut off any excess and press the seam together in the back of the pretzel
    • add the top of the graduation cap along the top edge of that strip
    • attach the numbers or names along the front of the pretzel

    Graduation Party Pretzel Pops dipped in white chocolate and decorated with modeling chocolate.

    Watch this new video tutorial to see how you can personalize these graduation party pretzel pops this year...

     

    Over the years I've gotten the following questions from readers:

    How early can I make these pretzel pops before my graduation party?

    • when making your graduation pretzels be sure to choose fresh pretzel rods that have a freshness date of at least a few weeks past the day of your party
    • if you store your graduation pretzels in an airtight container in a cool dry place (NOT the refrigerator), they will keep for up to a month
    • if you refrigerate your pretzel pops they may become sticky and wet with condensation
    • if you have to refrigerate the pretzels, arrange them in a single layer on top of a few layers of paper towels in a cardboard box (the box will help wick up any moisture)
    • remove them from the refrigerator a few hours before your party and let the unopened box sit at room temperature for at least an hour
    • remove the pretzels from the box and display them for your party
    • if they are a bit wet or sticky let them sit at room temperature to dry for a while
    • the beads of condensation will dry into small bumps that most guests won't even notice

    How should I display my pretzel pops at my graduation party?

    • you can arrange them on a serving platter
    • you can fill a jar or tall bowl with M&M's (in your child's school colors) and stick the chocolate pretzels down into the candy
    • you can wrap the pretzels in clear cellophane pretzel bags and arrange them around other desserts on your table

    Can I serve these graduation pretzels if I'm hosting an outdoor party?

    • these pretzels are dipped in white chocolate and decorated with modeling chocolate which will melt in warmer temperatures
    • if you must keep them outside then wrap each pretzel in a clear cellophane bag, place the wrapped pretzels in a cardboard box inside a zip top bag and set it down into a cooler filled with ice
    • bring them out just before serving
    • these pretzels may develop condensation and be a bit sticky but at least they won't be melted

    Can I give these Graduation Pretzel Pops as gifts?

    • you can package these chocolate pretzels in clear cellophane pretzel bags and attach to gifts or envelopes
    • you can arrange the pretzels in a single layer in a rectangle tin, box, or container to give as a gift
    • you can go all out and make a chocolate box and arrange the pretzels inside to give as a gift

    You can find other fun food ideas for your graduation party, here...

    Congratulate your graduate on his or her success by creating some graduation party food. These recipes will elevate any party to the head of the class. 

    More Graduation and Pretzel Pop Ideas

    3D Candy Filled Graduation Cap Cookies

    Flourless Chocolate Cake Graduation Caps

    Elephant, giraffe, monkey, zebra, hippo, lion and tiger
    Jungle Animal Pretzel Pops

    Chocolate Pretzel Farm Animals

     

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth Klosterboer
    Beth Klosterboer
    Hi, I'm Beth Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth Klosterboer
    Latest posts by Beth Klosterboer (see all)
    • Irresistible Sweets with Dixie Crystals® - July 13, 2024
    • How to make peanut butter? - February 15, 2024
    • OREO Penguins - December 20, 2023

    More Handmade Chocolates

    • Handmade chocolate Easter bunnies are painted with colored white chocolate.
      Homemade Chocolate Easter Bunnies
    • White Chocolate Snowman Popcorn Bucket
      Snowman Popcorn Bucket
    • peanut butter popcorn recipe image
      Peanut Butter Popcorn
    • white chocolate peppermint popcorn topped with crushed candy canes
      Peppermint Popcorn

    About Beth Klosterboer

    Comments

      Please leave a comment. Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Karen @ Sugartown Sweets says

      April 10, 2018 at 11:48 pm

      These are so cute, Beth! I tried to watch your video, but I couldn't get it to play for me. Your photo tutorials are always great as usual. :o)

      Reply
      • Beth says

        April 16, 2018 at 12:12 pm

        Hmm, I'm not sure why you couldn't see the video. It seems to be working for me. Maybe refresh the page and try it again.

        Reply
    2. Moonlight & Mason Jars Link Party says

      May 28, 2013 at 3:54 pm

      Congrats Beth! We have featured this project on the Moonlight & Mason Jars link party this week. Thanks for linking up!

      Please grab our featured button when you get a chance!

      Love,

      Hilary @ Be Sweet Blog
      Thuy @ My Paper Pinwheel
      Heather @ Mama Dish
      Taylor @ Taylor Made
      Jennifer @ The Newlywed Pilgrimage

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer says

        May 30, 2013 at 12:12 pm

        Thanks so much for featuring the pretzel pops. I'm so happy you all liked them.

        Reply
    3. jamie @ [kreyv] says

      May 23, 2013 at 3:51 am

      You are so talented! These are adorable!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer Pilgrim says

      May 23, 2013 at 2:57 am

      I adore these! Pinned.

      Pretty please share this on a link party that I host with 4 other blogs called Moonlight & Mason Jars (live Monday at 5pm EST thru Sunday at midnight). We feature 5 blogs who link up every week.

      Xo,
      Jenn Pilgrim
      The Newlywed Pilgrimage

      Reply
    5. Kathryn Ferrie says

      May 23, 2013 at 1:54 am

      These are adorable. I think I'm going to make these for my daughter's preschool graduation! So cute!

      Reply
    6. Sue says

      May 23, 2013 at 12:27 am

      Beth you are so busy, busy, busy..and awesome! I love this pretzel idea!

      Reply
    7. Cathy says

      May 22, 2013 at 2:13 am

      This looks great!

      I would love for you to share and link up at my TGIF Link Party. The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday's at midnight.

      http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/tgif-link-party-3.html

      Have a wonderful week!

      Hugs, Cathy

      Reply
    8. Linda Nortje says

      May 21, 2013 at 6:20 am

      Amazing! Love them all :-)LindaWith A Blast

      Reply
    9. Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet says

      May 19, 2013 at 8:36 am

      I adored your animal pretzels and these graduation party pretzels are just as fabulous.

      Reply
    10. The Partiologist says

      May 17, 2013 at 10:31 pm

      What a wonderful idea for the graduation party - everyone would pass on the cake! 🙂

      Reply
    11. Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says

      May 17, 2013 at 4:36 pm

      These are special 😉 It's always nice when things are personalized!

      Reply
    12. The Bearfoot Baker says

      May 17, 2013 at 3:42 pm

      Adorable!!!

      Reply
    13. Lisa@hooplapalooza says

      May 17, 2013 at 2:09 pm

      these are simply awesome!!! 🙂

      Reply
    Beth Jackson Klosterboer

    Welcome to Hungry Happenings!

    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

    Read more about me →

    Popular

    • Mini cheesecakes collage of images with plain cheesecakes, cheesecake cups with toppings, and decorated edible flower cheesecakes.
      Mini Cheesecakes
    • homemade candy bars including dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate cashew bars, white chocolate cookies and cream candy bars, and more
      The Best Step-by-Step Chocolate Bar Recipes
    • Marry a chocolate cake ball with a chocolate dipped maraschino cherry to get these amazing Chocolate Cherry Bombs.
      Chocolate Cherry Bombs - Cherry Filled Cake Balls Dipped in Chocolate
    • Giant Reese's Cup on a cake stand with a slice cut and served on a small dessert plate.
      Giant Peanut Butter Cup
    • Cakesicles with red and green drizzle, rainbow sprinkles, and chocolate drizzle
      How to make Cakesicles (cake pop popsicles)
    • Delicious chocolate truffles coated in chopped cashews, shaved dark chocolate, cocoa powder, cookie crumbs, and a blend of dark and white chocolate shavings.
      Chocolate Truffles Recipe

    Buy my cookbooks

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    use policies

    • privacy policy
    • photo-use policy
    • terms of service

    join us

    • subscribe (newsletter)
    • our online courses
    • readers' gallery

    contact

    • contact
    • about Beth
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Hungry Happenings