The painted pretzel is a special type of pretzel that is dipped in candy coatings and decorations, giving it a colorful and decorative look. Unlike regular pretzels, painted pretzels are considered a specialty snack item and are not as widely available. They are usually sold at specific bakeries, candy stores, and seasonal/holiday markets. Determining where to find painted pretzels requires some searching and knowledge of food trends and specialty baked goods.
What is a Painted Pretzel?
A painted pretzel starts off as a traditional pretzel that is made from dough mixed with salt, shaped into the signature pretzel knot shape, boiled briefly in an alkaline solution, and then baked until hard and crunchy. After the plain pretzel itself is formed, that is when the “painting” process begins.
The pretzels are dipped into melted candy coatings, usually white, dark chocolate, or milk chocolate. While the coating is still warm and soft, decorations are applied. These decorations can include sprinkles, crushed candy, coconut flakes, drizzles, and more. The coating hardens and adheres the decorations to the pretzel.
Painted pretzels are most popular around holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. Popular decorating themes align with the colors and symbols of the holiday. For example, pastel hearts and stripes for Valentine’s Day, bunnies and eggs for Easter, ghosts and pumpkins for Halloween, and red, white, and green with snowflakes for Christmas.
The decorative coating transforms a plain pretzel into a festive, gift-worthy treat. The colors and designs make painted pretzels stand out as a fun, artistic snack.
History of Painted Pretzels
Pretzels themselves have been around since medieval times, originating in Europe as a common soft bread product made by monks and bakers. The traditional knotted shape is thought to represent arms folded in prayer.
The first pretzels were soft and chewy, not the crunchy style we know today. Hard pretzel recipes emerged in the 19th century. The crunchy, shelf-stable properties of these pretzels made them ideal for commercial production and sales.
While plain hard pretzels quickly became popular snack items, decorated and coated pretzels emerged later on. The earliest references to chocolate covered pretzels date back to the 1920s. Candy-coated pretzels grew especially popular in the 1950s-1970s.
However, these early chocolate pretzels were enrobed in a full layer of chocolate, not the more artisanal paint-dipped style today. The trend of hand-painting intricate designs and decorations onto pretzels is believed to have started in the 1990s.
Utah-based chocolatier Kimmie Candy is often credited for popularizing chocolate art and painted candy near this time. Chocolate artists experimented with using pretzels as their canvas to paint chocolate in elaborate patterns.
The handmade, small-batch appeal of painted pretzels helped them gain popularity as specialty gourmet gifts and confections. Online recipes and tutorials in the 2000s made the trend accessible for home bakers as well. Painted pretzels are now a staple treat for holidays, birthdays, and celebrations.
Where to Find Painted Pretzels
Painted pretzels require specialty ingredients, technique, time, and care to create. Because of this extra effort, they tend not be produced on a mass commercial scale like plain pretzels. Finding painted pretzels takes some searching of local and online bakeries.
Here are some of the top places to find hand-painted pretzels for sale:
Specialty Bakeries or Candy Shops
Check bakeries and candy stores in your area to see if they make painted pretzels, especially around holidays. Some bakeries will take custom orders for painted pretzels as well. Places that create other decorated baked goods like cakes, cookies, and gingerbread houses are likely to also decorate pretzels.
Farmers Markets and Craft Fairs
Outdoor markets often have vendors selling baked goods, chocolate, and gift foods perfect for holidays and hostess gifts. Painted pretzels are the type of unique, locally-made item you may find from an artisanal baker at open air markets and craft fairs.
Online Bakeries and Sellers
If you can’t find a local source for painted pretzels, check online. Etsy shops, eBay, and websites for specialty bakeries across the U.S. offer decorated pretzels shipped nationwide. Search for terms like “painted pretzels”, “chocolate coated pretzels”, or “Christmas pretzels”.
Be sure to order early, as close to the holiday as possible, as these treats sell out quickly. Carefully check seller reviews and look for policies on shipping perishable goods. Overnight shipping is best for keeping chocolate and pretzels from melting in transit.
Theme Parks and Resorts
Places like Disney parks, resort gift shops, and entertainment venues know how to capitalize on trends like painted pretzels to sell as snacks and souvenirs. Next time you visit a theme park, stadium, Vegas Strip, or resort check candy shops and gift stores for their take on decorated pretzels.
Make Your Own
If you can’t purchase painted pretzels from any local or online source, consider making a batch at home. It takes some effort but is doable. You’ll need supplies like:
- Pretzel rods or pretzel bites
- Candy melts or chocolate for dipping
- Decorations like sprinkles, sanding sugar, crushed candy, etc.
- Squeeze bottles for drizzling chocolate
- Parchment paper for drying
Search online for “how to make painted pretzels” recipes and decorating ideas. With some practice, you can create beautiful painted pretzels to gift or enjoy yourself.
Price Ranges for Painted Pretzels
As a specialty gourmet treat, painted pretzels come with a higher price tag than plain pretzels. Exact pricing depends on the source, ingredients, and complexity of designs. Here are typical price ranges:
| Source | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Specialty Bakery | $2-$5 per pretzel |
| Online Sellers | $20-$40 for 6-12 pretzels |
| Theme Parks/Resorts | $3-$8 per pretzel |
| Homemade | $1-$3 in supplies per pretzel |
Of course, prices vary within those ranges based on size, quality, freshness and so on. Generally expect to pay a few dollars per pretzel at minimum from professional sellers. Making them at home with bought supplies cuts down on cost.
For cheaper options, boxed chocolate pretzels enrobed in plain chocolate or yogurt coating can be found for $10-$20 per bag at stores like Walmart and Target. These lack the artisanal painted look, but make a budget-friendly choice.
Quality and Freshness Considerations
When purchasing painted pretzels, check for signs of freshness and quality:
- Avoid any with “bloom”, a chalky white film on chocolate that indicates age and temperature changes.
- Pretzels should feel hard and crunchy, not soft or stale.
- Decorations should be firmly attached, not loose or falling off.
- There should be no sticky residue or sweating of oils on the surface.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature away from heat and humidity.
Eat within 1-2 weeks for best texture and flavor. Chocolate may develop bloom over time but is still safe to eat. Check seller date stamps and don’t purchase if already several weeks old.
For shipping, select expedited 1-2 day delivery. Ask sellers about insulated packaging, cold packs, or other measures to protect chocolate quality in transit during summer heat.
Why Painted Pretzels Make Great Gifts or Treats
Beyond just taste, painted pretzels appeal to us for several reasons that make them a top gift and celebration pick:
- They look fun and festive with colorful designs.
- The artistic effort adds gourmet appeal.
- Their uniqueness stands out from other snacks.
- Sizes are perfect for gifting and sharing.
- They can be customized to match different holidays and themes.
- The chocolate coating makes them extra indulgent.
- They have a longer shelf life than other baked goods.
- They travel well for gifting out of town friends and family.
Next time you need a gift, or want to make someone feel special, give the gift of painted pretzels! Just take care to place your orders early during peak holiday times.
Conclusion
Painted pretzels have come a long way from plain knotted bread to intricately decorated showstoppers. Their rise from traditional snack to artisanal gift mirrors the growing appreciation for gourmet chocolate and specialty baking. While not as ubiquitous as chocolate chip cookies or brownies, painted pretzels can be tracked down from local bakeries, online sellers, resorts, and specialty markets if you know where to find them and when to look. Their colors, designs, textures, and taste create an edible work of art perfect for any celebration.