These festive Christmas pretzel hugs are so easy to make and only require 3 ingredients: pretzels, Hershey’s hugs and Christmas M&Ms! They are the perfect sweet and salty treat for the holidays.

Whether you are making Christmas treats for your family to enjoy or making them to give as gifts, it’s so nice to have some simple, delicious Christmas-themed treats that are quick and easy to make. These Christmas pretzel hugs are perfect for that! You may also want to try my homemade turtle cookies and my Christmas crack recipe!

Christmas Pretzel Hugs in a white plate on a white background.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Easy Christmas treat. This recipe is only 3 ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to make. It’s a perfect treat to give as neighbors gifts for the holidays.
  • Perfect combination of sweet and salty. Pretzel hugs are super yummy because the salt from the pretzels and the sweet from the chocolate complement each other so well!
  • Great treat to make in bulk. If you’re trying to find something sweet to give to lots of friends and family, it can be overwhelming to make a ton of cookies or something, but this recipe is great for making a ton of treats to give! It makes 75 Hershey’s pretzel hugs!

Ingredient Notes

Christmas Pretzel Hugs ingredients on a marble background.
  • Pretzels: The square-shaped pretzels are the most iconic for this treat, but you could use the regular-shaped pretzels if you would rather.
  • Hugs: You’ll want to use the hugs for this recipe. Hershey’s apparently switched their formula for the kisses, causing them to brown in the oven.
  • M&Ms: Using red and green Christmas colored M&Ms really make this treat so festive!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and place the pretzels on the baking sheet in a single layer. 
  2. Unwrap the chocolate hugs and place 1 hug in the center of each pretzel. 
Square pretzels topped with unwrapped Hershey's Hug candies.
  1. Bake for 4-5 minutes at 200°F or until the chocolate is shiny and soft, but not melting (the chocolates should still hold their shape). Remove from the oven and immediately press an M&M in the center of each hug, gently pressing down on the M&M to spread the chocolate.
  2. Let the chocolate set (can do so at room temp, in the fridge, or freezer). Store in an airtight container. 
Red and green colored M&M's on top of melted hug candies on a square pretzel.

Recipe Tips

If you are having troubles with your chocolates browning in the oven instead of getting melty, it could be the type of chocolate candy you are using. Hugs worked great for me! If the chocolates are made with oil instead of cocoa butter then they’ll brown in the oven since the melting point will be affected.

Make these pretzels hugs for Halloween by using Halloween-themed M&Ms. Same with Valentine’s Day, Easter, etc. These pretzel M&M hugs don’t need to be enjoyed just during Christmastime!

You can also use Rolos instead of hugs if you want. For pretzels, you can use butter snap pretzels, pretzel circles, etc.

Storing and Freezing

Store the treats in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.

Since these Christmas hugs stay good for a week or so, you can definitely make them ahead of time.

Freeze the treats in a Ziplock bag once completely set. They’ll last in the freezer for 2-3 months.

FAQs

Why aren’t my kisses getting soft in the oven?

Depending on the chocolate, if it’s made with oil instead of cocoa butter then the melting point will be affected and instead of getting melty/melting in the oven the chocolate will brown.

Can you make Christmas pretzel hugs in the microwave?

I don’t see why not! I haven’t made them in the microwave before so I’m not sure how long you’ll want the pretzels + hugs in there for. I’d try 10-second intervals to make sure you don’t melt the chocolate. Remember, you just want it melty (but not melted) enough to push in an M&M.

Why do my hugs/kisses fall off my Christmas pretzels?

When you are pushing the M&M into the chocolate hug, be sure to press it enough so that the chocolate kind of pushes into the pretzels enough to form into them so they’ll stick once the chocolate hardens.

A white bowl full of Christmas Pretzel Hugs on a white background.

More Christmas Treats

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Red and green candy topped Christmas Pretzel Hugs on a white background.
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5 from 2 votes

Christmas Pretzel Hugs

Salty pretzels topped with a Hershey's Hug candy and red and green M&M.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Assembly Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 75 pieces

Ingredients
 

  • 75 square pretzels
  • 75 Hershey's Hugs
  • 75 milk chocolate M&M's - red and green Christmas variety

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 200°F. 
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat baking mat. 
  • Place the pretzels on the baking sheet in a single layer. 
  • Unwrap the chocolate hugs and place 1 hug in the center of each pretzel. 
  • Bake for 4-5 minutes or until the chocolate is shiny and soft, but not melting (chocolates should still hold their shape). Remove from the oven and immediately press an M&M in the center of each melty hug, gently pressing down on the M&M to spread the chocolate.
  • Let chocolate set (can do so at room temp, in the fridge, or freezer). Store in an airtight container. 

Notes

Storing and Freezing: Store the treats in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. Since these Christmas hugs stay good for a week or so, you can definitely make them ahead of time.
Freeze the treats in a Ziplock bag once completely set. They’ll last in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 31kcal (2%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 2g (3%)Saturated Fat: 1g (5%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 17mg (1%)Potassium: 1mgFiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 10mg (1%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
author: Whitney Wright
Course: Christmas, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
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