Desserts Recipes - Chocolate Pretzels Recipe

Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°P/Gas mark 5. Lightly grease a baking tray.

Beat together the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg.

Sift together the flour and cocoa powder and gradually beat in to form a soft dough. Use your fingers to incorporate the last of the flour and bring the dough together. Chill for 15 minutes.

Break small pieces from the dough and roll into thin sausage shapes about 10cm/4in long and 5mm/1/2in thick. Twist into pretzel shapes by making a circle, then twisting the ends through each other.

Place the pretzels on the prepared baking tray, allowing room to expand. Bake in the oven for 8 to 12 minutes. Leave to cool slightly on the baking tray, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Melt the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring to combine.

Dip half of each pretzel in the chocolate and allow any excess to drip back into the bowl.

Place on a sheet of baking parchment and leave to set. When set, dust the plain side of each pretzel with icing sugar.