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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Homemade Candy

    Jungle Animal Pretzel Pops

    Published: Apr 12, '13 · Modified: Apr 25, '20 · By: Beth · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Embrace your wild side and make these Jungle Animal Pretzel Pops! These treats are so much fun to make with your kids and create their favorite animal!

    I've gone wild decorating these Chocolate Pretzel Jungle Animals. I'll admit that most of my edible craft projects are incredibly fun for me to create, but turning ordinary chocolate dipped pretzel rods into animals, has made me downright giddy.

    Earlier this week, I decorated some Farm Animal Pretzels using modeling chocolate, and they were cute, really cute, actually. The designs were pretty simple. With my jungle animals I decided to kick it up a notch and add a bit more detail. I went a little nuts with the elephant, but all that detail was worth it. He is my absolute favorite design, so far, anyway!

    My Farm Animal Pretzels were inspired by Crafts by Amanda's adorably decorated craft sticks. Some of these jungle animals, including the zebra, were inspired by Sierra from H is for Homeschooling, who took Amanda's idea and ran with it. She created an entire zoo using popsicle sticks and they are so fun.

    I had just finished making the lion and tiger, when my exchange student came home from school. She was excited to try her hand at designing a pretzel animal and she created the giraffe. It's fantastic, isn't it?

    Each animal took me between ten to twenty minutes to design and as simple as the hippo looks, it took the most effort. At first, I just couldn't get the nose to look right. I think I finally got it. You can tell just how much I love the elephant based on the number of pictures I took of it.

     My exchange student and I have already made several more to share with you, most of which are much simpler than this herd of jungle animals.
    I'm glad you joined me on this safari. If you were to take pictures of your favorite animal, which would it be?

    Jungle Animal Pretzel Pops

    Before you begin, you can use candies like Tootsie Rolls, salt water taffy, Laffy Taffy, Airheads, or Starburst Fruit Chews to create the decorations, but with these designs I highly recommend using modeling chocolate (recipe here.). You can make one batch of white modeling chocolate and add coloring for each design.

    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.

    You'll Need:
    melted and tempered white and milk chocolate
    OR melted white or light cocoa confectionery coating/candy melts
    pretzel rods
    candy eyes or black edible pearls
    modeling chocolate* (or candies like Tootsie Rolls, Laffy Taffy, Airheads, Starbust, etc.)
    candy coloring
    black and brown food coloring markers
    *Find the modeling chocolate recipe, coloring directions, and chocolate melting tips, here.
    Supplies:
    baking pans lined with parchment paper
    tweezers (used for food only)
    kitchen shears or knife
    optional: rolling pin, small metal cutters
    Instructions:
     
    Either dip your pretzels into the melted and tempered pure chocolate or melted confectionery coating/candy melts or spoon it over the surface of the pretzel, leaving the tip you are holding, uncovered. Shake off excess chocolate before setting the dipped pretzels on your parchment paper lined baking pans. If using pure chocolate, one coat will probably be sufficient to cover the pretzel rods. If using confectionery coating/candy melts, you might want to put on two coats.
    Refrigerate if using pure chocolate, freeze if using candy coating just until set. If freezing, it will only take about 3-4 minutes. Don't leave them in too long or the candy coating will crack.

    If you are making an entire zoo full of different animals and are using confectionery coating/candy melts, you might want to consider using an electric skillet to keep small bowls of colored candy coating melted. For detailed instructions, see my Chocolate Making Tips page.

    Decorate your pretzels using modeling chocolate or assorted candy. You can either pinch off pieces of the modeling chocolate or candy and shape them into ears, spots, manes, noses, trunks, etc. or roll the modeling chocolate or candy out using a rolling pin then cut using small metal cutters or kitchen shears. I did a combination of the techniques. Then use melted chocolate as "glue" to attach the candy to the chocolate dipped pretzels. You can use corn syrup to attach pieces of modeling chocolate to other pieces of modeling chocolate, like when adding the nose to the lion's face.

     Elephant:
    dip pretzel rod in grey
    2 black edible pearls - eyes
     ears and trunk from grey modeling chocolate
    tusk from white modeling chocolate
    Zebra:
    dip pretzel in white
    2 candy eyes
    snout and ears from white modeling chocolate or salt water taffy or Airheads
    mane from black modeling chocolate or Tootsie Rolls or black salt water taffy
    draw on the nose using a black food coloring marker
    Lion:
    dip pretzel in yellow/orange
    2 candy eyes
    face and ears from yellow modeling chocolate, Lemon Tootsie Rolls or yellow taffy
    mane from orange modeling chocolate, or Orange Air Heads, Starburst, or orange taffy
    nose from brown modeling chocolate or chocolate salt water taffy

     



    Monkey:
    dip pretzel rod in milk chocolate
    2 candy eyes
    face and ears from brown modeling chocolate or chocolate taffy
    nose and fur in ears from tan colored modeling chocolate or caramels
    use black food coloring marker to draw on nose and smile

     Giraffe:
    dip pretzel rod in yellow/orange
    2 candy eyes
     ears and face from yellow modeling chocolate or Lemon Tootsie Rolls or yellow taffy
    snout, antlers, and spots from brown modeling chocolate or Tootsie Rolls or chocolate taffy
    draw spots on face using a brown food coloring marker

     

    Tiger:
    dip pretzel rod in orange
    2 candy eyes
     ears and face from orange modeling chocolate or Orange Airheads, Starburst, or orange taffy
    snout from white modeling chocolate or Vanilla Tootsie Rolls or Airheads
    nose from black modeling chocolate, chocolate Tootsie Roll or chocolate taffy
    draw stripes on face and pretzel using a black food coloring markerHippo:
    2 black edible pearls - eyes
    head and ears from grey modeling chocolate
    nose from light grey modeling chocolate
    teeth from white modeling chocolate or Vanilla Tootsie Rolls
    make indentations for nose using the back end of a skewer, use the point to make the spots

    Pictured above is a new tool that I absolutely love to cut small circles out of modeling chocolate or fondant. It is a plunger. You cut the circle, then press the plunger and the circle falls out.
    Embrace your wild side and make these Jungle Animal Pretzel Pops! These treats are so much fun to make with your kids and create their favorite animal!

    Items used to create this project that are available on Amazon.com (commission earned for sales)
    If you liked this Kid's Recipe, then you need to check out these other fascinating recipes that your little ones will love!
    Find over 100 cute and tasty kid's treats that are as much fun to make as they are to eat. Choose from cookies, cupcakes, popsicles, pretzels, and more.

     

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth
    Beth
    Hi, I'm Beth Jackson 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
    Latest posts by Beth (see all)
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    1. Anonymous

      August 02, 2014 at 12:45 am

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
    2. Anonymous

      August 01, 2014 at 5:13 pm

      How do you store these and how long will they stay good for?

      Reply
      • beth

        August 01, 2014 at 5:54 pm

        I store them in an airtight container. A metal tin works best but Rubbermaid or Tupperware will work fine too. They will be best if eaten within a few weeks, but will stay fresh for a month or even longer if you use really fresh pretzels. Find pretzels with the longest shelf life.

        Reply
    3. Michelle | Creative Food

      May 10, 2013 at 3:02 am

      These are seriously so amazing!! and so cute! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Kayla's Creations

      April 27, 2013 at 5:10 pm

      I can't get over 1 - how cute these are & 2 how talented you are! Thank you so much for sharing at the circle of faith link party, I'm stopping over to let you know that I will be featuring you today, linky opens at 6 pm > http://www.kaylascreationsblog.com/ Hope your having a great day!,

      -Kayla 🙂

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 27, 2013 at 6:45 pm

        Thanks so much for the feature. I'm so glad you like these so much:)

        Reply
    5. Pint Sized Baker

      April 22, 2013 at 1:39 am

      So stinkin' cute! Love them!! You're so clever! Pinned this! Thanks for sharing these on Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker I hope to see ya again on Monday night!

      Reply
    6. Kayla's Creations

      April 21, 2013 at 1:05 am

      These are so adorable, your so talented! I would love to have you come link up to My wonderful friend Heather & I's link party > http://www.kaylascreationsblog.com/2013/04/circle-of-faith-link-party-3.html Hope your having a great Saturday! :),

      -Kayla 🙂

      Reply
    7. Trish - Mom On Timeout

      April 19, 2013 at 9:54 pm

      So, so clever Beth! Pinned!

      Reply
    8. Beth Gorden

      April 19, 2013 at 9:58 am

      Oh WOW! These are amazingly cute & CLEVER!!! You seriously amaze me with your creativity and the finished product. I am adding to buffer to share on social media this week!

      Thanks for linking up to TGIF! It is always so much fun to see what you've come up with!! Hope to see you linked up again today =)

      Have a great weekend,
      Beth =)

      Reply
    9. Stephanie

      April 16, 2013 at 1:19 pm

      These are so stinking cute. I want to run out and get the ingrediants right now to make these.

      Reply
    10. Melissa

      April 16, 2013 at 1:37 am

      These are amazing! Awesome works of art. 🙂

      Reply
    11. Tiffany@Fizzy Party!

      April 15, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      Oh my goodness those are adorable. I bet kids would love these.

      Reply
    12. Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet

      April 15, 2013 at 11:40 am

      Oh My Goodness these are too adorable. I just love the giraffe, and the monkey, awe the zebra has the cutest hair and the tiger is the sweetest. I can't pick a favorite, love them all 🙂

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 27, 2013 at 6:43 pm

        I'm with you Linda, it is so hard to choose which one is the cutest. Every time I look at them, I change my mind.

        Reply
    13. Anonymous

      April 14, 2013 at 7:55 pm

      WOW! You and you pretzel animals are amazing! I can't pick a favorite, all of them are amazing 🙂

      Brenda @ sweetsimplestuff

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 14, 2013 at 8:48 pm

        Thanks, Brenda. I'm glad you like them:)

        Reply
    14. The Partiologist

      April 13, 2013 at 4:50 pm

      Oh my, I didn't think they could get any cuter, but they have. It would be impossible for me to pick a favorite because I love them all. You should have a little neighbor boy/girl name them - and BTW, Ilim did a fantastic job!!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 13, 2013 at 11:02 pm

        She and I have been in the kitchen this afternoon making some more. It's so nice to have someone to work with, especially someone who is so enthusiastic.

        Reply
    15. sugarswings

      April 13, 2013 at 4:11 pm

      love them all! great detail, any kid or grown up would love these!!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 13, 2013 at 11:01 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
    16. Jennifer OConnor

      April 12, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      These pretzels are so cute!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 13, 2013 at 11:00 pm

        Thank you, Jennifer.

        Reply
    17. Carrie - Worth Pinning

      April 12, 2013 at 9:36 pm

      Those are crazy cute!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 13, 2013 at 11:00 pm

        Thanks, Carrie.

        Reply
    18. Anonymous

      April 12, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      Kind of thought my first post didn't send properly so last 2 annonymous posts above are mine & now out of order. Here goes from 1st post.

      You want us to decide which jungle animal we like the best??? Are you KIDDING me - they're all wonderful. The close-up photos are especially nice in that they show all the details.

      The elephant has it's trunk in the "up" position (which means good luck) and it also makes him/her look happy.

      Your exchange student made the giraffe - she learned from the best. Kudos to her. Bet her fellow exchange students are jealous she got such a fun and creative hostess.

      Have never made the moldeling chocolate (little intimidated at the thought), but it would be much easier than buying candies & trying to attach them. Just make a batch, color it various colors and you're good to go. Just looked at your post for the recipe and you make it look so easy so will give it a whirl.

      My "stash" of cookie cutters & tiny cutters has increased since following you, taking on a life of its own. In 1st post I suggested maybe it would be fun to give your jungle creatures names (hence the ideas above). "Lucy the Lion"

      Thanks for taking us on an African safari without our having to even update our passports.

      Tavette

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 12, 2013 at 7:26 pm

        It is always so wonderful to read your comments, Tavette. My exchange student has had a wonderful time here, and I'm so happy to see her creativity blossom under my tutelage. It is so nice to have her work with me in the kitchen.

        Modeling chocolate can be a bit tricky, but honestly, once you master making it, it is so fast and easy to work with. I can pour corn syrup into a small bowl of chocolate and turn it into modeling chocolate without measuring anything. I just know how it should look and feel. The most important thing to remember is to allow the chocolate to cool to 90-91 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the corn syrup.

        Good luck and let me know if you have any questions when you give the recipe a try.

        Reply
    19. Anonymous

      April 12, 2013 at 4:18 pm

      "Herman the Hippo" - "Murphy the Monkey" - "Leonard or Leopold the Lion", "Jeromy the Giraffe" ..... still thinking. Know your readers will come up with some good names.

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 12, 2013 at 7:26 pm

        I love each and every name. SO FUN!!!!

        Reply
    20. Anonymous

      April 12, 2013 at 4:06 pm

      Yah - let's think of cute names for these oh-too-adorable jungle animals. like (maybe) "Ziggy the Zebra". Just thinking....

      Tavette

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 12, 2013 at 7:28 pm

        I love that you want to name them! That is so fun!

        Reply
    21. Kalamity Kelli

      April 12, 2013 at 3:31 pm

      When your exchange student goes home, they are going to have talent like no one else - probably in their entire country! Very lucky - I love the giraffe - and the elephant!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 12, 2013 at 7:29 pm

        I am so happy that she has had so much fun learning a new skill. She really has mastered chocolate making. She was nervous to make an animal, thinking it wouldn't turn out well. She was thrilled to see how well she did. She made some more animals for our pet collection which I'll post in a few days.

        Reply
    22. The Bearfoot Baker

      April 12, 2013 at 2:23 pm

      You are killing me with cuteness! I love your creativity!!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 12, 2013 at 7:33 pm

        I thought it was so funny to see two comments about killing with cuteness. I laughed out loud and my husband asked what was so funny. He immediately commented "No animals were harmed in the making of these pretzels" 🙂

        Reply
    23. Lisa@hooplapalooza

      April 12, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      ok Beth so i really cannot pick a favorite. i just know i would have a difficult time eating these, as i would rather stare at them all day. their cuteness kills me :>D

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 12, 2013 at 7:31 pm

        No animals were harmed in the making of these pretzels :> My husband, thought that was a funny response!!!!

        Reply
    24. Laura

      April 12, 2013 at 2:07 pm

      I ran across your blog today via pinterest. I just want to commend you on your creativity. I am really impressed with the cute and colorful food you make! My boys would be very impressed if I made any of the food you have blogged. Thanks for sharing your creations on this blog!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 12, 2013 at 7:32 pm

        Thanks, Laura. I'm glad you stopped by and enjoyed my projects.

        Reply
    25. Anonymous

      April 12, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      P. S. The Elephant is my favorite too. Trish Butler

      Reply
    26. Anonymous

      April 12, 2013 at 1:59 pm

      Beth, I'm at a lose for words and that doesn't happen very often. I love them all, but the details on the hippo are great. See what happens when you take some time for yourself? Magic! Thank you once again for you talent and time. Trish Butler

      Reply
    27. Faygie Fellig

      April 12, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      incredible! awesome! you are soooo talented.

      Reply
    28. Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com

      April 12, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      Very cute Beth! The Elephant is my favorite!:)

      Reply

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    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.

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