Chocolate Dipped Fruit / Treats

Total Time: 19 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 4 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 2 cups pretzels (for example)

Recipe

• 1 in a medium bowl, melt chips and shortening in a microwave; stir until smooth.
• 2 while that is melting, tear off rectangles of waxed paper (dipped items will rest here until set).
• 3 using a fork or a dipping tool, dunk half or entire pretzel into chocolate, slightly scrape bottom of item (don't want to waste chocolate dripping off!); set on waxed paper.
• 4 continue until chocolate is gone (gather other dip-able tidbits as suggested in the description).
• 5 unused chocolate can be scraped into a small container and chilled until another batch is made.
• 6 store dipped treats in a covered tin--kept away from heat or water.
• 7 gift ideas: add a handful to your christmas cookie trays or tins; add 1/4°c dipped fruit to junior's lunch box (counts as a fruit and as "love"--all in one); fill a pretty jar tied with a festive seasonal bow and give to the mail carrier or hair dresser!
• 8 dipstick: dip stick/rod pretzels, candy-canes, or lollipops/suckers then sprinkle with decorative sprinkles (you really should let the kids do this--it's just fun!).