Sweet and Salty Reindeer Pops

Name: Sweet and Salty Reindeer Pops
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 16 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter; 1/4 c. powdered sugar; 32 round, buttery crackers, such as Ritz (1 sleeve); 16 wooden popsicle sticks; 10 -12 oz dark chocolate bars; 16 red candy-coated chocolate candies, like M&Ms; 32 small candy eyeballs; 1 c. mini pretzel sticks, broken into 1/2-inch pieces; Flaky sea salt, optional

These are the cutest little holiday treat!

By Erin MerharPublished: Dec 6, 2021

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no bake desserts like reindeer pops recipe

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Yields:

16 serving(s)

Prep Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 30 mins

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Reindeer Pops make an adorable addition to any holiday cookie plate. As sweet as they look, they're nice and salty too: They're made of Ritz crackers! These are the perfect treat for little ones or the "non-dessert" people in your life.

How do you make Reindeer Pops?

Reindeer pops start with a base of peanut butter mixed with powdered sugar to sweeten and lighten the texture. Spread this mixture between two buttery crackers, such as Ritz, and place a popsicle stick in the middle. Freeze the pops for 20 minutes to help the peanut butter mixture firm up and make them easier to dip. Meanwhile, get your candies ready and melt the chocolate. Dip each pop into the melted chocolate then top with pretzels, red M&M's and candy eyeballs. A sprinkle of sea salt gives the pops a snow-kissed finished and the final salty-sweet twist.

Why use chocolate bars instead of chocolate chips for melting?

Chocolate chips are made to hold their form when baked into a cookie or bar: They soften but rarely lose their pointy shape. Melting chocolate chips for a candy-coating can yield inconsistent results—sometimes the mixture ends up thick and gloopy, instead of smooth and glossy. For dipping items into chocolate, we recommend using a chocolate baking bar like Lindt, which melts into a perfect, fluid, dipping consistency.

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Ingredients

1/2 cup
creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup
powdered sugar
32
round, buttery crackers, such as Ritz (1 sleeve)
16
wooden popsicle sticks
10
-12 oz dark chocolate bars
16
red candy-coated chocolate candies, like M&Ms
32
small candy eyeballs
1 cup
mini pretzel sticks, broken into 1/2-inch pieces
Flaky sea salt, optional

Directions

1. Step 1Place the peanut butter in a medium bowl. Sift the powdered sugar through a fine mesh strainer over top of the peanut butter. Using a rubber spatula, stir the peanut butter and sugar together to make a smooth, somewhat stiff mixture.
2. Step 2Spread about 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter mixture on half of the crackers. Press the wooden sticks into the peanut butter mixture, then top each with one more cracker. Press the crackers to stick them together. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes.
3. Step 3Meanwhile, chop the chocolate bars into small, similar-sized pieces. Place in a bowl set over a pot filled with about 1” of water. (Make sure that the bowl does not touch the water). Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a simmer over medium-low heat. Stir the chocolate occasionally, until it is melted and fluid. Transfer to a tall measuring cup, for easier dipping.
4. Step 4Line a large baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Remove the pops from the freezer. Dip one pop into the melted chocolate to coat completely. Remove and let the excess chocolate drip off into the measuring cup. Place the pop on the sheet tray and immediately place four little pretzel pieces up top (the antlers), two candy eyes just below, then one red candy nose. Repeat with all of the other pops. When the chocolate is shiny and still somewhat soft, sprinkle the tops of the reindeer faces with a pinch of flaky sea salt, if you like.
5. Step 5Let firm up at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Store in an air-tight container in a single layer, between layers of parchment paper, in a cool spot in your kitchen or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.