If you’re looking for a fun, spooky treat that’s as easy as snapping your fingers, you’ve got to try this Witches’ Brooms Recipe. It’s a delightful little dessert that looks adorable and tastes amazing — perfect for Halloween parties or just a playful snack with the kids. Trust me, once you make these, everyone’s going to want more, and I’m here to guide you through every step so they turn out just right!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: You only need 3 ingredients — yes, three! Even the kids can help put these together.
- Irresistibly Cute: These little witches’ brooms are conversation starters on any party table.
- No-Bake Magic: No oven required, which makes it perfect for last-minute Halloween treats or when you don’t feel like turning on the stove.
- Customizable: You can quickly switch up the frosting colors or candy, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The charm of this Witches’ Brooms Recipe lies in its simplicity — just a few well-matched ingredients that come together in a flash. Pick your candy and pretzels thoughtfully to get that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy.
- Miniature Peanut Butter Cups: Use unwrapped and chilled cups to avoid the chocolate melting and sticking to wrappers.
- Pretzel Sticks: Thin sticks work best for the broom handle, so they don’t overpower the bite.
- Frosting or Gel Icing: This is the glue! I prefer gel icing because of the vibrant colors and easy control, but frosting in a piping bag is just as good.
Variations
I love how flexible this Witches’ Brooms Recipe can be. It’s a blank canvas, so don’t hesitate to make it your own — change up colors, flavors, even the base candy to suit your taste or occasion.
- Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: Swap peanut butter cups for mini chocolate truffles or Hershey’s Kisses for a rich chocolate broomstick base.
- Bold Colors: Use different gel icing colors — orange or green are great for Halloween themes, and kids love decorating their own brooms.
- Salt & Sweet Swap: Try using mini pretzel rods dipped in caramel or white chocolate before assembling to add more layers of sweetness.
How to Make Witches’ Brooms Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Peanut Butter Cups for Stability
Start by unwrapping your peanut butter cups and placing them upside down on a plate. I discovered that placing them upside down helps the “broom handle” to stand upright more securely. If you notice the chocolate is sticky or the peanut butter cups seem too warm, pop them in the freezer for about 5 minutes so they firm up — this little trick prevents the chocolate from breaking or smearing when you press the pretzel in.
Step 2: Add the “Glue” with Frosting or Gel Icing
Take a small dab of your frosting or gel icing and squeeze it onto the center top of each peanut butter cup. This acts as an adhesive, so the pretzel stick will stay put. I personally like gel icing because it dries quickly and keeps everything nice and neat — plus, a pop of color makes it extra festive!
Step 3: Insert the Pretzel ‘Handle’ and Let Set
Now, gently press one pretzel stick into the icing on each peanut butter cup. The frosting holds the stick firmly in place. Be careful not to push too hard or the cup might crack. Once all ‘brooms’ are assembled, let them sit in an airtight container for a bit so the icing sets properly — about 15 minutes should do. This helps you handle and serve them without any wobbling mishaps.
Pro Tips for Making Witches’ Brooms Recipe
- Chill Your Candy: I learned that cold peanut butter cups are easier to handle and don’t melt as quickly when assembling.
- Use Thin Pretzels: Thicker pretzels can overpower the bite and make the brooms look bulky — stick with thin sticks for the best look.
- Apply Minimal Pressure: Too much force pushing the pretzel into the frosting can break the peanut butter cup. Be gentle!
- Avoid Freezing Finished Brooms: I once tried freezing them and found the texture changed unfavorably — storing in an airtight container at room temp works best.
How to Serve Witches’ Brooms Recipe
Garnishes
I like to add tiny edible glitter or a sprinkle of colored sugar on top of the icing for a magical sparkle effect. If you want to get really festive, a few candy eyes or mini chocolate chips stuck on can turn your brooms into little creatures — your creativity is the limit here!
Side Dishes
These witches’ brooms pair wonderfully with other Halloween finger foods — think spooky popcorn with caramel drizzle, ghost-shaped marshmallows, or a bowl of fresh fruit cut into pumpkin shapes. They also complement a warm cup of hot chocolate for those chilly October nights.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties, I like to arrange the Witches’ Brooms Recipe treats standing upright in a mason jar or a small pumpkin that’s been hollowed out and lined with tissue paper. It turns your snack into a centerpiece and gets lots of compliments. You can even add a few faux spider webs around for that extra eerie effect!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once assembled, store your witches’ brooms in an airtight container at room temperature. I don’t recommend refrigerating because the peanut butter cups can get too hard, but keeping them cool in a dry place preserves the texture nicely for about a week.
Freezing
Freezing these isn’t something I’d suggest — the chocolate and pretzels can lose their texture when thawed, and the frosting can crack or bleed color. You’ll get the best experience by making just what you need fresh.
Reheating
No reheating needed here! These are best served as-is, fresh out of the container. If they’ve sat out and the frosting feels a bit soft, a quick chill in the fridge for 10 minutes will help firm things back up without cold-hardening the chocolate.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of candy besides peanut butter cups for this Witches’ Brooms Recipe?
Absolutely! While miniature peanut butter cups give a perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter, you can use other small round candies like chocolate truffles, Hershey’s Kisses, or even fudge squares. Just make sure the candy base is sturdy enough to support the pretzel stick without breaking.
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How long can I store the witches’ brooms before they go bad?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these treats keep well for up to one week. Beyond that, the pretzels might start to soften and lose their crispiness. I always try to enjoy them within a few days for the best texture and flavor.
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Can I make these without frosting or gel icing?
You’ll find the frosting or gel icing acts as the essential “glue,” so without it, the pretzel won’t stay attached to the candy base. If you want a frosting-free version, consider gently melting a little chocolate as an adhesive, but frosting or gel icing is definitely easier and less messy.
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What’s the best way to prevent the peanut butter cups from melting during assembly?
I learned the hard way that unwrapping warm peanut butter cups leads to chocolate sticking or breaking. My trick is to chill them in the freezer for 5 minutes before unwrapping and assembling, which keeps them firm and easier to handle without melting.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Witches’ Brooms Recipe turns out — it’s simple, festive, and brings a little magic to any occasion. When I first tried making these with my kids, it was pure joy seeing their faces light up with the fun craft and sweet reward. I can’t recommend it enough if you want a quick, adorable dessert that doesn’t sacrifice taste or effort. So go ahead, grab those peanut butter cups and pretzel sticks, and whip up a batch — trust me, you and your crew will be delighted!
Print
Witches’ Brooms Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Witches’ Brooms are a fun and easy Halloween-themed treat perfect for parties and festive gatherings. Made with miniature peanut butter cups and pretzel sticks, these adorable bite-sized desserts are quick to assemble and delightfully tasty, combining sweet peanut butter and chocolate with a savory crunchy pretzel ‘stick’.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 24 miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped
- 24 pretzel sticks
- Frosting or gel icing (for adhering pretzel sticks)
Instructions
- Arrange Peanut Butter Cups: Place the unwrapped miniature peanut butter cups upside down on a plate, preparing them as the base of the brooms.
- Apply Icing: Squeeze a small amount of frosting or gel icing onto the center of the peanut butter cup top to serve as an adhesive.
- Insert Pretzel Sticks: Gently press one pretzel stick into the icing on each peanut butter cup, positioning it to resemble the handle of a broomstick.
- Store Properly: Place the finished witches’ brooms in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to one week. Avoid freezing to preserve texture and appearance.
Notes
- If the peanut butter cups become too warm and sticky when unwrapping, freeze them for a few minutes to make handling easier and prevent the chocolate from pulling off.
- Gel icing works well for the adhesive, especially colored gel icing for a festive look, but you can also use frosting piped in a small bag to secure the pretzel sticks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 witches’ broom (1 peanut butter cup + pretzel stick)
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
