Whether you have kids, or you're a kid at heart, you'll have a great time this winter making White Chocolate Polar Bear Pretzel Pops. They are an irresistible sweet and salty treat that are perfect for the holiday season.
Have you ever felt the urge to give a polar bear a hug? I have.
I know polar bears are big and probably not that cuddly, well, at least not to humans, but I can't help but feel the desire to snuggle up with one of them.
I don't imagine that will ever happen though, so I'll just have to settle for making these sweet Polar Bear Pretzel Pops to give to friends and family.
I am really in love with making pretzel pops. They are chocolate-dipped pretzel rods decorated to look like animals. You loved my Chocolate Pretzel Farm Animals, Jungle Animal Pretzel Pops, and Teddy Bear Pretzel Pops and I figured you'd love these polar bear pretzels too.
These are some of the simplest pretzel pops I've created, thus far. I always use modeling chocolate to create the decorations for my chocolate-dipped pretzel rods. I like how it tastes, and it is really easy to work with.
If you prefer, you can use fondant or candies like chocolate and vanilla Tootsie Rolls or salt water taffy. For these bears you could even use marshmallows for the ears, and mini chocolate chips for the nose and eyes.
Let's make some white chocolate pretzel polar bears.
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
- 2 ounces modeling chocolate* or candies like vanilla and chocolate Tootsie Rolls
- 12 ounces melted and tempered white chocolate OR melted white confectionery coating / Candy Melts
- 6 pretzel rods
*You'll need white and black modeling chocolate. You can color white modeling chocolate using black food coloring, or use dark chocolate to make a batch of modeling chocolate. Find the modeling chocolate recipe, coloring directions, and chocolate melting tips, here.
Supplies
- non-stick baking mat (like a Silpat)
- fondant rolling pin
- small and medium round plunger cutters
- baking pans lined with parchment paper
- fork
- optional, food use only tweezers
Items used to create this project are available on Amazon.com. I earn a small commission when you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this blog at no extra cost to you.
Wilton White Candy Melts, 1...Shop on Amazon
PME Plunger Cutters, Miniat...Shop on Amazon
Wilton Large Fondant Rollin...Shop on Amazon
Choco-Pan Modelling Chocola...Shop on Amazon
Choco-Pan Modelling Chocola...Shop on Amazon
Instructions
Make the polar bears' features.
Roll some white and some black (or dark) modeling chocolate out on a non-stick mat using a fondant roller.
For each bear:
- ears - cut out 2 white circles using the medium round plunger cutter
- inner Ears - cut 2 black circles using the small round plunger cutter
- nose - cut 2 black circles using the small round cutter and pinch them between your thumb and finger shaping it into a triangle with rounded edges
- eyes - pinch off 2 tiny pieces of black and roll them into balls
- snout - pinch off a pea-size piece of white and roll into a ball
Dip the pretzel rods into white chocolate.
Pour melted white chocolate into a tall glass. Dip the pretzel into the chocolate, lift it out, shake it, and allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the glass. I usually hold my pretzel, allowing the chocolate to begin to set, for about 30 seconds before placing it on my parchment paper-lined baking sheet. I end up with nice round pretzels that way.
If using pure tempered white chocolate, refrigerate the pretzels for about 4-5 minutes. If using confectionery coating (Candy Melts) place in the freezer for 2-3 minutes.
Notes:
- Candy Coating will crack and get sticky if your pretzels are in the freezer for too long.
- Spots will form on candy coating if left at room temperature for too long. Dip a few then get them in the freezer.
Attaching the polar bear snout.
Use a bit of melted white chocolate to attach the round ball onto the pretzel, about an inch from the top.
Dip a pretzel back into the white chocolate, giving it a second coat.
Make the white chocolate-dipped pretzel look furry.
Allow the white chocolate to set until it thickens, holding the pretzel for about 10 seconds or so, then press a fork onto the pretzel, lift up, pulling away the chocolate, creating spikes.
If you hold the pretzel so that the spikes fall down, you'll end up with longer strands of fur.
Add the ears, nose, and eyes.
Continue doing this, adding white chocolate if needed, until the entire pretzel looks furry. Attach the ears, eyes, and nose using white chocolate. I like to use tweezers to attach small pieces. I have big fingers and it just makes it easier.
The white chocolate will most likely be completely dry by the time you finish making it fuzzy looking, so it doesn't need to chill in the freezer or refrigerator.
Cute huh?
Storage
Store in an airtight container for several weeks. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Related Recipes
Recipe
- 2 ounces modeling chocolate* or candies like vanilla and chocolate Tootsie Rolls
- 12 ounces melted and tempered white chocolate
- OR melted white confectionery coating / Candy Melts
- 6 pretzel rods
- non-stick baking mat like a Silpat
- fondant rolling pin
- small and medium round plunger cutters
- baking pans lined with parchment paper
- fork
- optional food use only tweezers
-
Roll some white and some black (or dark) modeling chocolate out on a non-stick mat using a fondant roller.
-
For each bear:
-
ears - cut out 2 white circles using the medium round plunger cutter
-
inner Ears - cut 2 black circles using the small round plunger cutter
-
nose - cut 2 black circles using the small round cutter and pinch it between your thumb and finger shaping it into a triangle with rounded edges
-
eyes - pinch off 2 tiny pieces of black and roll into balls
-
snout - pinch off 1 pea size piece of white and roll into a ball
-
Pour melted white chocolate into a tall glass.
-
Dip pretzel into the chocolate, lift it out, shake it, and allow excess chocolate to drip back into the glass.
-
If using pure tempered white chocolate, refrigerate the pretzels for about 4-5 minutes.
-
If using confectionery coating (Candy Melts) place in the freezer for 2-3 minutes.
-
Use a bit of melted white chocolate to attach the round ball onto the pretzel, about an inch from the top.
-
Dip a pretzel back into the white chocolate, giving it a second coat.
-
Allow the white chocolate to set until it thickens, holding the pretzel for about 10 seconds or so, then press a fork onto the pretzel, lift up, pulling away the chocolate, creating spikes.
-
Continue doing this, adding white chocolate if needed, until the entire pretzel looks furry.
-
Attach the ears, eyes, and nose using white chocolate.
-
Store in an airtight container for several weeks. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
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Bethany says
Oh my goodness! These are ADORABLE! Love them so much!
Brain Power Boy says
Visiting from the Mommy Club Linky. I am so glad you posted as I have been looking for a site just like this. The bears are very cute and though the project is easy it produces a very professional looking product. I bookmarked for next winter family get-together. Nicely done 🙂
Sheila
beth says
Thanks for stopping by, Sheila. I hope you have fun making your Polar Bear Pretzel pops for your family get together:)
Brain Power Boy says
Hi--visiting from the mommy club linky. I am so glad you posted there as I have been looking for a site just like this 🙂 Very cute idea. I like how easy it is and how the finished products is so professional looking. Well done!
Sheila
Esther Davis says
Would it work to just roll the chocolate coated rods in coconut for a fur effect? Trying for fast and easy.
Beth says
Sure, coconut will work great. Just be sure to allow the white chocolate to cool slightly before dipping them in coconut. If the chocolate is too wet, the coconut will just fall off.
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says
Your polar bears are my favorite ... I love the ears!
Lori Hart says
Those are so stinkin' cute I can't stand it!! Love it. Found your recipe at Six Sisters Stuff. I am one of the hostesses of Tasty Tuesdays and would love you to stop by and link up this recipe if you have not yet already. Here is the link http://bit.ly/1al67oL
Lori
Sarah Preston says
Toooo cute! Love how you made the fur too! Hi from the land of OZ found you on Tip Junkie
beth says
Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!
Angela says
so cute 🙂 I pinned these
Shantalle LifestylesOfTheStayAtHomeMom says
Aww, look at those cuties!!! Great ideas 🙂
Tiffany @ The Little Waffle Flower says
These are so stinkin' cute! It's kind of tradition to make these at Christmas time for my brother, and what a cute way to do it!
The Partiologist says
Really, these are my favorite, I love how the chocolate looks like little fur sticking out. I'll have to add these
to my "to make" list for sure!
Anonymous says
Beth, I just love these. All of your things are so great that I now
have a board just for your creations on pintrest
beth says
Wow, cool. Thanks for all the pins:)
Sarah @ Miss Candiquik says
So stinking cute. I just love chocolate dipped pretzels!
beth says
Me too!
Lisa@hooplapalooza says
well i always wanted to snuggle up with a real polar bear too Beth, but since that ain't ever gonna happen, i'll just snuggle up with say, a hundred of these 🙂
beth says
I don't know what it is about polar bears, but they just look like they would give great hugs!
KathyA. says
Beth... I did love your Jungle and Farm Pops, but knew that I'd never make them as they were just too tedious. THESE are adorable and also do-able for me. So... thanks for sharing.
beth says
Yeah, those designs were pretty intense. I like the simpler design of the polar bear too.
kim nath says
So incredibly cute and they look pretty easy to make!
beth says
Thanks, Kim. They really are easy to make and are even cuter in person!
beth says
I think the fur makes them even cuter. Thanks!
Patricia @ ButterYum says
I'm dying! So cute!!!
Natalie Hoffman says
Amazing as usual Beth! I just might have an animal themed birthday party for my daughter and your pretzel pops would make the most adorable favors! 🙂
beth says
Thanks, Natalie. When Ilim, my exchange student was here, we spent days making pretzel pops in all sorts of designs and she had a blast. I think kids will love getting these as favors. I have lots more designs to come!
Lindsey says
I loved your jungle animal pretzel pops and I love these too. I love even more that you are going to keep creating no matter what some page views say. Can't wait for more pretzel pop tutorials!
beth says
Thanks, Lindsey. I realize not all of my projects can be popular, but do hope that these pretzel pops catch on. I love them and they are so fun to make!
Farmlife Chick says
Oh my goodness! These are the cutest pretzel rods I have ever seen! You have a gift and vision for creating!
beth says
Thank you. I love designing fun food and pretzels are a new passion!