Nothing beats that perfect sweet-salty crunch that just pops in your mouth — that’s exactly what makes the Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies Recipe such a crowd-pleaser. With buttery pretzels, creamy Hershey’s Hugs, and festive M&Ms, these little bites are irresistible little hugs you can eat!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it’s so easy to pull together yet manages to impress everyone who tries it. There’s something nostalgic and festive about these little pretzel hugs that always bring a smile at any gathering.
- Quick and simple: You don’t need to be a baking expert to nail these; five minutes in the oven and you’re set.
- Perfect sweet and salty balance: Pretzels bring the crunch and salt, while the chocolate and M&Ms add creamy sweetness.
- Highly customizable: You can swap M&M colors or even chocolates for different holidays or moods.
- Great for gifts: These little cookies look lovely in jars or tins, making them perfect for sharing.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies Recipe is chosen for its unique texture and flavor, coming together to create that iconic bite-sized treat. Knowing why these ingredients work helps you appreciate the magic and maybe even get creative with your shopping list!
- Square Pretzels: These provide the crunchy, salty base; their shape is perfect for holding the chocolate hugs without slipping.
- Hershey’s Hugs Chocolates: These creamy morsels melt just enough to become spreadable when warmed but hold their shape well, which is key for the “hug” effect.
- Milk Chocolate M&M’s: I love using the festive red and green ones around the holidays, but any color mix works—plus, they add that fun pop of color and firmness.
Make It Your Way
While I adore the classic Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies Recipe, I’ve played around with it quite a bit, and it’s fun to switch things up a bit depending on the season or who’s enjoying them.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap out the milk chocolate M&Ms for peanut M&Ms or even the peanut butter Hershey’s Hugs for a nuttier twist, which always gets rave reviews.
- Dietary tweaks: For gluten-free options, look for GF pretzels to keep the crunch without the gluten.
- Festive spins: Changing M&M colors according to holidays (pink and red for Valentine’s, pastels for Easter) makes these perfect little seasonal gifts.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Arrange Your Base
Start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees — low and slow is perfect here. Lay a Silpat mat or parchment paper on your cookie sheet; I find this prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Arrange your square pretzels in a single layer, giving each enough room so they heat evenly and don’t stick together.
Step 2: Add the Hugs and Warm Them
Place one unwrapped Hershey’s Hug on top of each pretzel. Then pop the tray into the oven for about 4 to 5 minutes. You want the chocolate to get shiny and just soft enough to spread when pressed, but it shouldn’t melt into a puddle. Keep an eye on them because ovens vary — this step is where magic happens!
Step 3: Press M&M’s into the Soft Chocolate
Once out of the oven, quickly but gently place one M&M in the center of each soft Hug. Press down lightly to spread the chocolate out just a bit. It’s important to be gentle here; you want that pretty "hug" look, not a squished mess.
Step 4: Chill to Set
After pressing the M&Ms, transfer your cookies to the fridge or freezer for about 5 to 15 minutes to let the chocolate set up nice and firm. Once set, they’re ready to enjoy or package up for gifting!
Top Tip
From making these pretzel hugs dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tips that really make a difference in how perfectly they turn out every time. Trust me, you'll be glad you know these before you start!
- Watch the oven carefully: Don’t walk away during that 4-5 minute melting stage — the chocolate goes from soft to melty fast, and you want shiny, spreadable chocolate, not a puddle.
- Use square pretzels, not butter snaps: Butter snaps have that buttery coating that prevents the chocolates from melting properly on top and don’t provide the right crunch.
- Press M&Ms gently: A light touch spreads the chocolate nicely but keeps the pretty hug-shaped look intact.
- Chill for best results: Letting the cookies set in the freezer or fridge ensures the chocolate firms up enough to hold its shape and keep the M&M firmly attached.
How to Serve Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little sea salt on the pretzels before baking occasionally, which amps up that salty-sweet combo. Around the holidays, a dusting of edible glitter or colored sugar on the finished cookies adds a festive sparkle that kids (and adults!) adore.
Side Dishes
Serve these Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies alongside a warm cup of cocoa or a fragrant coffee — it’s my go-to combo for holiday parties. They’re also great as a sweet finish with ice cream or whipped cream when you want a little extra indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite ways to share these cookies is in clear glass jars layered with ribbons tied around the neck — perfect for gifting. I’ve also arranged them on decorative trays or bite-size cupcake liners to make them look extra special at parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay crunchy and fresh for several days, which is great when you want a quick sweet snack throughout the week.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully. Just layer them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers to keep them from sticking. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a bit, and they’re good as new.
Reheating
Because they’re already set chocolate on pretzels, reheating isn’t usually necessary. But if you want that soft, melty hug effect again, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave does the trick without ruining the pretzel crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While you might be tempted to use butter snap pretzels, I don’t recommend it because their buttery coating prevents the Hershey’s Hugs chocolate from melting properly. The classic square pretzels offer just the right texture and shape for the best result.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and crunchy for about 5 days. Beyond that, the pretzels may absorb moisture and get a little soft, so enjoy them sooner if possible.
Absolutely! While Hershey’s Hugs are ideal because of their size and melt profile, you can try white chocolate chips or even peppermint bark around the holidays. Just keep an eye on the melting time since different chocolates have different melting points.
The key is pressing the M&M gently onto the softened Hershey’s Hug chocolate right after baking, then chilling the cookies to set the chocolate firmly around the candy. Avoid pressing too hard, and chill promptly to lock everything in place.
Final Thoughts
Making these Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies Recipe feels like giving sweet little hugs not just to friends and family, but to yourself too. They’re quick, festive, and full of that perfect crunchy-melty combo that brightens any moment. I hope you’ll bake them soon and see just how easily they become a favorite in your kitchen — trust me, you’ll want to keep these around for every holiday, party, or simple snack attack!
Print
Pretzel M&M Hug Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 70 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Pretzel M&M Hugs are a delightful and festive treat combining crunchy pretzels, creamy Hershey's Hugs chocolates, and colorful Milk Chocolate M&M's. These bite-sized snacks are perfect for holiday parties or anytime you want a sweet and salty indulgence.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 70 square pretzels (do NOT use butter snaps)
- 70 Hershey's Hugs chocolates, unwrapped (about one 12 oz package)
- 70 Milk Chocolate M&M's (preferably red and green for a festive look)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and line a cookie sheet with a Silpat mat or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Arrange pretzels: Place the pretzels in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced without overlapping.
- Add Hershey's Hugs: Top each pretzel with one unwrapped Hershey's Hugs chocolate.
- Bake carefully: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes until the chocolate is shiny and softened but still holds its shape without melting completely.
- Press M&M's into chocolate: Remove the tray from the oven and immediately place one Milk Chocolate M&M in the center of each softened Hug, pressing down gently to spread the chocolate around the M&M.
- Set the chocolate: Transfer the cookie sheet to the refrigerator or freezer and let the pretzel treats chill for about 15 minutes until the chocolate has hardened and set completely.
- Store: Once set, store the Pretzel M&M Hugs in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Do not use butter snap pretzels as they may not hold up well in the oven.
- Use a Silpat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Ensure chocolates are softened but not melted to maintain the shape and texture.
- For faster setting, use the freezer; for gentler setting, use the refrigerator.
- These treats can be customized with different colored M&Ms for various occasions.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 55 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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