Double Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Ingredients

One 12-ounce bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
One 12-ounce bag of dark chocolate chips
72 bow ties pretzels
4 tablespoons of vegetable shortening

There are two methods to melt chocolate for this recipe. First, use a double boiler in order to melt the chocolate. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can place one inch of water in a saucepan over low heat. Place a snug-fitting shatter-proof glass or metal bowl over the water. Be sure the pan does not touch the water. Place one bag of chips in the bowl with 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening. Stir the chips and shortening while they begin to melt. Continue stirring until the chips have completely melted and they are smooth. Remove the bowl from the saucepan without getting water into the bowl. You can now begin dipping the pretzels.

Another method of melting chocolate is to pour the chips and 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening into a microwave-safe bowl. Put them into the microwave and heat on high for about 1 minute. Carefully remove the bowl and stir the chips. Place them back into the microwave and heat again for about 1 minute to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove them bowl and stir. If the chips still are not completely melted, place the bowl back into the microwave for 1 minute increments until they are completely melted. Move the bowl to the area you will use for dipping.

Place a piece of wax paper on a baking sheet and set it near your dipping station. Carefully dip the pretzels, one at a time, into one of the chocolates and then place the pretzel on the wax paper. Continue dipping the pretzels in one type of chocolate until all of the pretzels are finished and on the wax paper. Put the baking sheet into the refrigerator for about 15 minutes so the chocolate can harden.

Next, prepare the second type of chocolate in whichever way you prefer. Instead of using the chocolate when it is very hot, allow it to cool slightly as you dip each pretzel into the second chocolate. When all of the pretzels are covered with the second chocolate, place the baking sheet back into the refrigerator.

If you like you can make a thick white chocolate glaze and drizzle it over the cooled pretzels. Instead of the bowtie type of pretzels you can use pretzel rods and each end in a separate chocolate. How you decorate them is entirely up to you but you can expect your guests to appreciate having something sweet along with the other dishes.