Carrot Pretzel Rods

With the decision to close public schools, students have had to get creative with their online schooling. My favorite class, Early Childhood Education, gave the project to create a lesson plan with an activity that could be used to teach children. My mind instantly went to baking with my mom and the millions of questions I would ask.  I loved learning what all of the ingredients do and how they react together. Baking is basically a big science experiment with a delicious outcome! I then chose to create a science-related lesson about the physical changes that occur when you melt chocolate. The second part of the project was to actually do the lesson with some of your family, so my sister and I got to work dipping pretzel rods into the melted chocolate. When I say that these treats can truly be done by anyone, I mean it! These fun spring treats are adorable, delicious and such a fun quarantine activity for the whole family!

   – Maddie ( First post without Mom ♥)

Ingredients: 

• Pretzel rods
• White chocolate (or Candy Melts)
• Gel food coloring (Orange, Green)
• (optional) orange nonpareils

Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, begin melting the white chocolate.
2. Melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second burst, stirring in between.
3. As the chocolate starts melting, lower time to 10-second bursts to avoid overheating.
4. Once completely smooth, Add food coloring.
5. Dip the top 2-3 inches of the pretzel rod in the green chocolate.
6. Let the excess chocolate drip off to avoid creating a foot and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
7.  Repeat until all rods have been dipped and let dry completely (1-2 hours).
8. Repeat the melting process for orange chocolate.
9. Make sure to leave some chocolate for drizzling.
10. Once smooth, dip the remainder of the pretzel rod in the orange chocolate.
11. Let the excess drip off and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
12. Once all rods are dipped, begin melting orange chocolate for drizzling.
13. Pour chocolate in piping bag or Ziploc bag and cut a tiny hole in the corner.
14. Begin drizzling onto the orange portion to add the look and texture of a real carrot.
15. Immediately after drizzling, sprinkle with orange nonpareils.
16. Let pretzel rods dry completely then break off excess chocolate from drizzles.
17. ENJOY!