Studio Snacks: Sweet or Salty?

A Guest Post by Sandy Buffie and Jamie Birch

We are in the process of writing a collaborative book called StudioSnacks, showcasing the artwork, studios, and favorite snack recipes of the everyday artist and craftsperson. In last month’s blog post, we told you a lot about why we think this book will be such fun, but enough about us. Let’s talk about the important stuff….art and food!

Tawny’s Studio

The artist we are highlighting this month is Tawny Morrison. Tawny is an extraordinary textile artist and instructor who can do it all when it comes to a needle and thread. In addition to being a very accomplished seamstress, she also creates amazing quilts and wall hangings, custom dyes fabric, makes beautiful bridal veils and accessories, was recently published for designing a fabulous purse made out of old hotel key cards, and loves scrapbooking in her “spare” time.

Tawny’s Purse

What Tawny enjoys the most is sharing her knowledge with others. As you can see in the photo, she has transformed her dining room into a classroom where she teaches a variety of classes to adults and children. So much for those holiday dinners!

The Embroidery Bar

Tawny’s favorite snack recipe is easy, creative, fun for all ages, and puts an end to the question of what is best for snacking – sweet or salty. Check out these fun chocolate dipped pretzels (the decorating ideas are endless!) and tell us what you think. When you are craving a snack, what do you reach for? Sweet or salty?

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

These treats are so easy to make and really fun to do with kids. You just need a few ingredients:

1 package pretzel rods
1 12 oz. package chocolate chips
1 12 oz. package white “chocolate” chips
½ package wrapped caramel candies

All kinds of fun toppings such as crushed peppermints or other hard candies, chunky decorative sugar, sprinkles, “confetti” decorations, coconut and anything else that is colorful.

Place waxed paper or parchment paper on a baking sheet and top with a wire rack. Set aside.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. (Better to do one flavor at a time). When melted, take off the heat and coat the top half of the pretzels one at a time (a big spoon worked great). Have all your toppings ready so as soon as you have coated the pretzels, decorate away!

Melt the caramel candies (per instructions on bag) if you want to decorate with a bit of a caramel drizzle.

Place the decorated pretzels on the prepared wire rack until set. Store in an airtight container – a Ziploc works great. (Do not refrigerate)

Tips for the coolest looking pretzels:

Use a muffin tin to keep all the decorations separate but easy to grab.
Most of the colored sugar decorations looked best on the white chocolate.
Use the leftover chocolates to drizzle along with the caramel.
Much easier to do with a friend – the white chocolate sets up quickly so have someone ready to decorate as soon as the pretzel is coated.
Put a few in a cellophane bag with a ribbon as a fun party favor or holiday gift!

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