Christmas Cranberry Dijon Pretzel Bites

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, honey, and garlic powder until smooth.
3. Add the pretzel bites to the bowl and toss gently until fully coated.
4. Spread the pretzel bites evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
5. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with thyme and coarse salt.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until glossy, sticky, and slightly caramelized.
7. Serve warm, with softened cream cheese on the side if desired.

Variations

• Add a pinch of cayenne to the glaze for a sweet-heat twist.
• Swap Dijon for whole-grain mustard for extra texture and tang.
• Use raspberry preserves in place of cranberry sauce for a fruity variation.
• Sprinkle with crushed pistachios after baking for a festive crunch and color.

Tips

• Warm the cranberry-Dijon sauce on the stovetop first for an extra-silky coating that adheres beautifully.
• Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet; spacing helps the glaze caramelize evenly.
• For extra shine, brush pretzels with a final layer of warm glaze just before serving.
• Serve immediately for the best texture — warm and slightly sticky is perfection.