Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive and fun treat that’s both adorable and delicious, you’ve got to try my Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe. I absolutely love how these little snowmen come together – crunchy pretzels, creamy white chocolate, and the cutest scarves made from either candy clay or fruit rolls. Whenever I make these with friends or family, they’re always a huge hit, and I know you’ll find the same joy in making and sharing them.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of everything in your pantry or freezer, making it easy to whip up anytime.
  • Customizable Scarves: Whether you make candy clay scarves or use fruit rolls, you get to pick your favorite way to decorate.
  • Kid-Friendly Fun: Great for crafting in the kitchen with kiddos, and they’re proud to eat their own creations.
  • Perfect Party Treats: These snowman pretzels are eye-catching and delicious for any winter gathering or gift box.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay is in the combination of crunchy pretzels, smooth candy melts, and those cute little scarf details. I always make sure to use high-quality candy melts for that silky coating and choose dips or candy chips that hold their shape well.

Flat lay of a small bowl of smooth red candy melts, a few glossy fruit roll strips in red and orange hues, a small bowl of melted white chocolate, a neat stack of golden pretzel rings, a small white bowl filled with tiny dark mini chocolate chips, a small white bowl with bright orange candy-coated sunflower seeds, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, and a fine black food coloring marker pen, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a simple white ceramic plate and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay, snowman pretzel snacks, festive holiday pretzels, easy Christmas treat recipes, cute winter party snacks
  • Red Candy Melts: This is the base for your candy clay scarves—choose a vivid red for best color impact.
  • Corn Syrup: Helps keep the candy clay smooth and pliable without getting sticky.
  • Fruit Rolls: An easy alternative to candy clay scarves—fun and fruity!
  • White Candy Melts: I recommend good-quality melts since they’ll form the snowmen’s bodies and glue everything together.
  • Pretzel Rings: These form the snowman’s body and head—look for uniform shapes for easy assembly.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Perfectly sized for eyes and buttons, they hold beautifully in the candy coating.
  • Orange Candy-Coated Sunflower Seeds: These make the snowman’s carrot nose cute and colorful.
  • Black Food Coloring Marker: Great for adding the finishing touch of a smiling mouth with little dot details.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best parts about the Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe is how easy it is to make your own twist. I love switching up the scarves depending on my mood or what I have on hand – some days it’s classic candy clay, other times it’s bright fruit roll-ups. Feel free to get creative with colors or even festive sprinkles!

  • Use Different Candy Colors: Once I swapped red candy melts for green to make a St. Patrick’s Day twist, and it was a playful surprise for my kids.
  • Fruit Roll Variations: Try using grape or cherry fruit rolls for scarves with different fruity flavors – they always get compliments on the unique taste.
  • Vegan or Dairy-Free Options: I’ve experimented with vegan candy melts and found some great brands that work just as well, so you can tailor this recipe to your diet needs.
  • Mini Snowmen: Use smaller pretzel rings if you want bite-size versions for parties or holiday boxes.

How to Make Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe

Step 1: Make Your Red Candy Clay Scarves

If you opt for candy clay scarves, start by melting the red candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them for two 30-second intervals, stirring well after each—this is key to avoid overheating and grainy texture. After that, heat for another 30 seconds, then let the bowl sit in the microwave (turned off) for 2-3 minutes to allow the residual heat to finish melting the candies without burning.

Remove and stir vigorously until you get a shiny, smooth consistency. Let it cool a bit, stirring occasionally until it reaches about 91°F. Then, blend in the corn syrup just until combined—it’ll turn into a pliable clay. Pour it out onto plastic wrap, wrap it tightly, and set it aside for several hours to firm up.

Once firm, knead the candy clay until it’s soft and roll it out thinly. Cut thin strips, about 3/8-inch wide by 7-inches long – these will be your scarves.

Step 2: Prep Your Fruit Roll Scarves (If Using)

If you’re going the fruit roll route, just cut your fruit rolls into similar sized strips. This is a quicker option and adds a juicy fruit flavor that’s a nice contrast to the sweet white chocolate.

Step 3: Assemble the White Chocolate Pretzel Snowmen

Next, melt your white candy melts thoroughly and transfer into a disposable pastry or zip-top bag. Snip a tiny corner off the tip—it’ll act like your piping tool. Lay one strip of your scarf on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Pipe a small dollop of white chocolate right in the center of each scarf strip to act as your “glue.” Then, place two pretzel rings close together over the white chocolate, gently piping more white chocolate between and inside the pretzels to hold them in place and fill the centers.

Now for the fun facial features: press two mini chocolate chips as eyes and one orange candy-coated sunflower seed for the snowman’s nose in the top pretzel ring. On the bottom ring, add three mini chocolate chips for buttons.

Use a little extra white chocolate between the pretzels to create a little scarf knot and fold the ends of your candy clay or fruit roll strip over, making a cute scarf shape. Pop the whole tray into the freezer for 3-5 minutes until the white chocolate sets.

Remove and let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before adding the finishing touch with the black food coloring marker—dot on a smile with 5-7 tiny dots to bring your snowman to life.

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Pro Tips for Making Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe

  • Avoid Overheating Candy Melts: I learned that heating in short bursts and stirring prevents burning and keeps the candy smooth and glossy.
  • Cool Candy Clay Before Adding Corn Syrup: Mixing it in too hot can make your clay glue too runny, so cool to near body temp for best results.
  • Use a Parchment-Lined Baking Sheet: This keeps your scarves and snowmen from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
  • Don’t Insert Chocolate Chips into Hot Candy Melts: Insert when candy melts have cooled a bit, or the chips will lose shape and melt.

How to Serve Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe

Two snowman-shaped treats lie on a blue background with white snowflake patterns. Each snowman is made of two round pretzels stacked vertically to form the head and body. The inside of each pretzel is filled with white icing, creating smooth white circles. On the top circle, two small black dots serve as eyes, and a small orange carrot-shaped icing piece forms the nose. Smiling mouths are drawn with small black dots below the nose. The body has two or three larger black icing dots as buttons. Each snowman is wrapped around the middle with a red licorice strip shaped like a scarf, crossing over the body in a diagonal line. The overall look is bright, colorful, and festive. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay, snowman pretzel snacks, festive holiday pretzels, easy Christmas treat recipes, cute winter party snacks

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just the scarves and chocolate chip button details, but sometimes I throw on a sprinkle of edible glitter or tiny sugar pearls for a little extra holiday sparkle. Those little touches get the biggest smiles!

Side Dishes

These snowman pretzels pair perfectly with a warm mug of hot cocoa or a frothy eggnog. I like to serve them alongside a tray of holiday cookies to make a festive dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or gifting, I arrange the snowmen standing upright in a rustic wooden tray lined with colored tissue paper. Wrapping them individually in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon makes a charming homemade gift that everyone adores.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks. Just be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight or warm spots, as the candy melts can soften.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing these since the candy clay scarves can sometimes change texture when thawed, but if you want to try, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container. Thaw gently at room temperature to help maintain shape.

Reheating

These pretzels are best enjoyed at room temperature, so just let any leftovers sit out for a few minutes if refrigerated. I avoid microwaving since the candy melts can melt unevenly and lose that pretty finish.

FAQs

  1. Can I make the candy clay scarves ahead of time?

    Yes! The candy clay can be made a day or two in advance. Just store it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature until you’re ready to roll and cut your scarf strips.

  2. What if I don’t have pretzel rings—can I use another shape?

    Pretzel rings are ideal because their shape perfectly mimics a snowman’s body parts. If you can’t find them, large pretzel twists or sticks might work but be prepared for a different look.

  3. How do I avoid the white candy melts melting the chocolate chip eyes?

    Make sure the white candy melts have cooled for a couple of minutes after melting before you insert the chocolate chips. This prevents them from melting and losing their shape.

  4. Can I use other colors for the candy clay scarves?

    Absolutely! You can use any candy melts color you like to make your candy clay scarves, which is perfect for customizing for different holidays or themes.

  5. Is this recipe kid-friendly?

    Yes, it’s great fun for kids to help assemble the snowmen. Just make sure little ones are supervised with the hot melted candy melts and small candy pieces.

Final Thoughts

This Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe has become one of those special treats I look forward to every winter. It’s the perfect mix of festive, fun, and just delicious enough to make you smile. Whether you’re making it with family, for a party, or as a heartfelt gift, you’ll find it’s as joyful to create as it is to eat. Trust me—once you try this, it’ll be a holiday tradition you want to bake and share year after year.

Print
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Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe

Frosty Snowman Pretzels with Candy Clay Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 115 reviews
  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 1 hr
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Yield: 48 snowman pretzels 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Frosty Snowman Pretzels are a delightful holiday treat combining crunchy pretzel rings with creamy white chocolate and festive red candy clay or fruit roll scarves. These no-bake, adorable snowmen are decorated with mini chocolate chip eyes and buttons, orange candy sunflower seed noses, and finished with hand-drawn smiles. Perfect for holiday parties or seasonal gifting, they offer a fun and easy way to spread cheer.


Ingredients

Scale

Red Candy Clay Scarves

  • 12 ounces red candy melts
  • ¼ cup corn syrup

Fruit Roll Scarves (alternative)

  • 6 fruit rolls (cut into strips)

White Chocolate Snowmen

  • 12 ounces white candy melts, melted
  • 96 pretzel rings
  • 240 mini chocolate chips
  • 48 orange candy coated sunflower seeds
  • Black food coloring marker


Instructions

  1. Prepare Red Candy Clay Scarves: If using candy clay scarves, melt the 12 ounces of red candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl by heating in two 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each. Then heat for an additional 30 seconds and allow the bowl to rest in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Remove the bowl and stir vigorously until fully melted. Cool the mixture to 91°F, stirring frequently. Stir in ¼ cup of corn syrup until just combined, then pour the mixture onto plastic wrap. Wrap it tightly and allow it to firm up for several hours. Once firm, remove from plastic wrap and knead until pliable. Roll out the candy clay very thinly and cut strips approximately ⅜ inch by 7 inches to form scarves. Place the strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  2. Prepare Fruit Roll Scarves (Alternative): If you prefer, cut the fruit rolls into thin strips to use as scarves for the snowmen instead of the candy clay scarves.
  3. Assemble White Chocolate Pretzel Snowmen: Pour the melted white candy melts into a disposable pastry or zip-top bag and snip off a small tip. Pip a small mound of white candy in the center of a candy clay or fruit roll strip to act as glue. Place two pretzel rings side by side on top of the white candy mound, slightly touching. Pipe a small amount of white candy where the pretzels meet to secure them. Fill the center of both pretzels with white candy to create the snowman’s body.
  4. Add Facial Features and Buttons: Place two mini chocolate chips on the top pretzel for eyes and one orange candy coated sunflower seed for the nose. On the bottom pretzel, add three mini chocolate chips to represent buttons.
  5. Attach the Scarf: Pipe a small amount of white candy between the two pretzels and overlap the ends of the candy clay strip, forming the snowman’s scarf.
  6. Set the Snowmen: Freeze the assembled snowmen for 3-5 minutes until the white candy melts harden. Remove them and let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes.
  7. Draw the Smile: Use the black food coloring marker to create a smile on the top pretzel by forming a series of 5-7 small dots to simulate a smiling mouth.

Notes

  • Store snowman pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  • Ensure that the white candy coating is not too hot before inserting chocolate chips to prevent melting.
  • Calories are approximate and calculated based on one pretzel snowman with a fruit roll scarf.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 snowman pretzel
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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