Teddy bears are a common gift that is given on Valentine's Day, but the real way to the heart is through the stomach. These Chocolate Teddy Bear Pretzel Pops are the perfect gift because they are adorable and will make your tummy happy too.
My husband and his co-workers do a lot of fundraising for various charities, and I'm often asked to help out. When he told me they were having a Valentines' Day themed silent auction to raise money for a 7 year old cancer patient who's dream is to swim with the dolphins, I was so moved, that I worked for two days to make enough chocolate to fill a huge basket.
Having the chance to get into the water with such majestic creatures is a bucket list opportunity for most of us, one in which I've been able to participate. I know how it lifts your spirits to just be in a dolphin's presence. I am so happy to be able to do anything to make this wish come true for this little girl. I really hope my basket brings in a great bid.
I wanted to add something to the basket that would really get people thinking about the young girl and decided a couple of Chocolate Teddy Bear Pretzel Pops would do the trick.
These chocolate covered pretzels turned out really cute. I do think their arms could look better, be thicker, maybe, but hey, I don't think anyone eating one will complain.
They look so sweet nestled among the boxes of chocolate truffles, tins of chocolate bark, chocolate hearts, and other candies. This basket is loaded. There's a lot you can't even see in this picture. Bags and tins of chocolate are hiding behind the boxes. I know it's a lot, and am hoping someone with a huge sweet tooth or a big family will bid a lot of money for it.
My husband told me he'd bid on auction items too, so not only will I actually get a gift for Valentine's Day this year (that hardly ever happens) I'll know we are helping to make a girl's wish happen. That's the best gift ever.
Chocolate Teddy Bear 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 usually cracks. 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 this from happening, but not enough to become stale.
Ingredients:
pretzel rods
melted and tempered milk chocolate or melted light cocoa candy melts*
modeling chocolate - dark brown, medium brown, light brown, and red*
candy eyes
*See my Chocolate Making Tips page for melting instructions and the Modeling Chocolate recipe.
If you don't want to use modeling chocolate, you can use Tootsie Rolls, caramel, chocolate taffy, and red taffy instead.
Supplies Needed:
silicone baking mat
fondant roller
3 sizes of round plunger cutters
Instructions:
Dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate and use a fork to create a furry look. See my Polar Bear Pretzel Pops tutorial for detailed instructions.
Roll modeling chocolate out on a silicone mat using a fondant roller.
Use 3 sizes of round plunger cutters to make the snout, nose, and ears.
- Cut large circles out of light brown. Pinch into an oval for the snout.
- Cut small circles out of dark brown. Attach to top of snout using water, for the nose.
- Use a toothpick to create dimples around the nose on the snout. Make 3 dimples on each side.
- Cut large circles out of medium brown for the outer ears.
- Cut medium circles out of the light brown for the inner ears.
- Attach the light brown circle to the medium brown circle using water.
- Fold the ears around a toothpick, giving them shape.
- Pinch off small pieces of medium brown and roll into arms. (Make them thicker than mine!)
- Press a toothpick into the end of the arms, creating fingers.
- Attach everything to the bear pops using melted chocolate.
Items used to create this project that are available on Amazon.com (commission earned for sales)
If you’d like to have the ultimate guide to working with Candy Clay (modeling chocolate) be sure to get your printed or e-book copy of Candy Clay Creations. This 102 page book is filled with tips and tricks for making and working with candy clay along with 17 step-by-step tutorials for decorating cupcakes, cookies, and more using candy clay. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to make festively decorated treats.
More Pretzel Pops
from Hungry Happenings
Chocolate Pretzel Farm Animals
If you are looking for other treats or gifts to make for Valentine's Day,
you might like these other recipes too.
- Gingerbread Cookie Cups - December 2, 2023
- Cheeseburger Skulls - October 15, 2023
- Mini Peanut Butter Cheesecakes - June 20, 2023
Vijaya
Looks Wonderful and I am sure it tastes wonderful too!
Casey
Hi I was just wondering if you made these & just sold them even to individuals, by chance?? Thanks.
Beth
Hi Casey,
For years, I made and sold my chocolates, but now that I blog full time, I don't have time to sell my chocolates much any more. I do a little, for local customers, but don't ship anything.
Laurie
These are almost too cute to eat!
Thanks for linking up to Tip Me Tuesday linky party this week. {knuckle bumps}
Did you know that I can "lend" your blog posts my Google page rank for better search engine traffic? {fabulous}
If you upload at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL into your Tip Junkie craft room, you'll be in business!
{wink} ~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/how-to-add-a-craft-room-project-on-tip-junkie/
Melanie
LOVE every...single....one of these...... I'd love to have you link up at my Skip The Housework party, live now! http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/skip-housework-4/
Lizzy T
I don't know how I've never come across your site before! It's amazing, and I'm happily following along now on facebook and pinterest! I'm going to share these today on Facebook. They're adorable. Visiting from Moonlight & Mason Jar Link Party!
Julie
www.tastesoflizzyt.com
beth
Hi Lizzy, I'm so glad you found Hungry Happenings. Thanks for following along and sharing! I really appreciate it:)
The Bearfoot Baker
I am so in love with these!! Seriously adorable. Their little ears are so cute!
The Partiologist
Oh, I almost forgot, I think your basket will be the hit of the auction and to help the little girl fulfill her dream is awesome!
beth
I sure hope it brings in a lot of money. I just found out the young girl will be at the office for lunch the day of the auction, so I'm sending the rest of the Teddy Bear Pretzel Pops in for her. I hope they bring a smile to her!
The Partiologist
These I must say are the cutest valentine treat I've ever seen - not to mention the most creative!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff
Those bears are beyond cute! I'm sure they will put a smile on everyone's face and help bring in some big bucks 😉 I hope the fund raiser is a huge success!
beth
Thanks, Brenda. The auction is on Thursday, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed they raise all the money needed to send her to swim with the dolphins!
Diane {Created by Diane}
These are so adorable, I just LOVE them!
Janine Eshelbrenner
By far the cutest pretzels I've ever seen, Beth!
beth
Oh, I love hearing that. Thanks, Janine!
dosing unit
Wow so cute Chocolate Teddy Bear looking so yummy !!
Shrey Patel
Wow. This is so sweet. Such a cute idea and love the photography by the way.
Yummy!!! Pretty and Super Tasty.
I adore this!
I love your Decoration.
I love the choices you picked and I would be happy to make any one of them.
beth
Thanks so much. I love hearing my photos are appealing. Creating recipes is easy for me, but taking great pictures is a huge challenge.
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets
These are just un"bear"ably cute (sorry for that)! Well I thought these were amazing right off the bat..but after reading your story, oh my! Praying this little girl gets her dream of swimming with the dolphins. Plus praying even more good things come your way for having such a caring heart! p.s. these are my favorite pretzel craft you've done..the ears are just adorable.
beth
LOL! I'm so excited to be helping out. I remember how excited I was while swimming with dolphins. It was one of the most amazing things I've done in my life.
Sue
I can't keep up with all of your amazing treats, but I did see them:) I will comment here at the top...these pretzel stick bears are beyond cute, Beth! I'm sure your basket will bring in a sizable donation! I would definitely bid on it if I were there!!! Kudos to you!
beth
I think I've gone a bit overboard this holiday. I still have more projects, but finally just had to say enough is enough! I'll save them for next year.
SayNotSweetAnne
This. Is. Adorable! I love it so much! From the little hearts in the middle to the giraffe variation it's just an overload of sweetness. And the cause of what your doing just adds that much meaning and depth to it. You know what they say- the secret ingredient is love 🙂
beth
Thanks! Over the years I've made many baskets for donations, but this one really is special. I hope they raise all the money needed to send the little girl on her trip.