Pin Festive Pretzel Christmas Cookies are buttery, sweet, and salty treats shaped like pretzels, dipped in chocolate, and decorated with joyful sprinkles—perfect for holiday celebrations with family and friends.
I first made these pretzel cookies for a holiday party and they quickly became everyone's favorite—the playful shapes and colorful sprinkles brought extra cheer to our dessert table.
Ingredients
- Dough: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened, 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- Decoration: 6 oz (170 g) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chopped, 1 cup (120 g) festive sprinkles red green white gold etc, Flaky sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare oven and pans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients:
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine dough:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Shape cookies:
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a rope about 6 inches (15 cm) long. Shape each rope into a pretzel and place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt chocolate:
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Dip and decorate:
- Dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off, then place back on the parchment. Immediately sprinkle with festive sprinkles (and a pinch of flaky sea salt if desired). Let the chocolate set before serving or storing.
Pin 
Sharing these cookies while decorating the tree with my family is now a beloved holiday tradition—everyone loves creating their own sprinkle combinations.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire rack, microwave-safe bowl, spatula
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), egg, dairy (butter, chocolate). May contain traces of nuts depending on chocolate or decorations—always check ingredient labels.
Nutritional Information
Each cookie contains approximately: 110 calories, 6 g total fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein
Pin Enjoy these cookies with hot cocoa for the perfect holiday treat. Let everyone help decorate for festive and fun family moments.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I shape the dough into pretzels?
Roll dough ropes about 6 inches long, then twist to form classic pretzel shapes before baking.
- → Can I use white chocolate or candy melts?
White chocolate or colored candy melts work well for varied colors and festive presentation.
- → How should these cookies be stored for freshness?
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain taste and texture.
- → Are there options for adding nuts?
Sprinkle finely chopped toasted pecans or almonds onto the chocolate for extra flavor and crunch.
- → What allergens should I be aware of?
Contains wheat, dairy, and egg. Check toppings and chocolate for traces of nuts if sensitive.
- → Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to two days before shaping and baking.