If you love festive treats that are both fun and easy to make, you’re going to absolutely adore this Witches’ Brooms Recipe. It’s one of those simple snacks that look impressive, taste great, and perfect for Halloween parties or a cozy movie night. I first made these for my nephew’s spooky birthday bash, and honestly, they were the star of the snack table. Let me walk you through how to whip these up in no time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy: You don’t need fancy tools or skills—just a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes.
- Perfect for Parties: These little brooms are eye-catching and a fun conversation starter.
- Kid Friendly: My family’s kids loved helping assemble these—it’s a great activity to get them involved.
- Customizable: You can switch up flavors or colors to fit your theme or taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s great about this Witches’ Brooms Recipe is that the ingredients are super straightforward, but they work perfectly to create that iconic broom shape and give a fun mix of salty and sweet. When shopping, look for fresh pretzel rods—not the broken kind for the best results.
- Green shoestring licorice: I like the green for that witchy vibe—it’s thin, flexible, and easy to cut.
- Pretzel rods: These form the broomstick base and add a nice crunch that balances the chewiness.
- Black shoestring licorice: This wraps the bristles tightly like the twine on a broom, and it also adds a nice color contrast.
Variations
One of the best things about this Witches’ Brooms Recipe is how easily you can swap out or add ingredients to make it your own. I sometimes get creative with color and flavor for different occasions—and honestly, your imagination’s the limit here.
- Use different licorice colors: For example, orange or purple shoelaces to brighten things up or match a party theme—I once made a rainbow set for a kid’s party and it was a huge hit.
- Switch pretzel rods for cookie sticks: Try crispy breadsticks or even chocolate-covered pretzels for an extra sweet twist.
- Add edible glitter or colored sugar: Apply them lightly to the licorice bristles to add a little sparkle for Halloween night.
- Make mini versions: Use smaller pretzel sticks for bite-sized witches’ brooms that are perfect for buffets.
How to Make Witches’ Brooms Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Licorice Bristles
Start by cutting your green shoestring licorice into 1-inch lengths. This quick cut creates the “broom bristles” that will fan out around the end of your pretzel. You’ll want them about the right size to get that classic broom look—if they’re too short, it won’t look quite as magical, and too long can make assembly tricky.
Step 2: Arrange the Broom Bristles
Gather around six or so tiny licorice pieces and arrange them around the bottom end of your pretzel rod. Think of it like fanning out hair strands to make a little broom shape. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—the black licorice wrap will pull it all together and hold it nice and tight.
Step 3: Wrap the Broom Handle
Take a length of black shoestring licorice and wrap it tightly around the base of the green “bristles” where they meet the pretzel. Tuck the end securely under the wrap so it doesn’t unravel. This step is key because it keeps your broom sturdy and completes the iconic look. If you wrap too loosely, the bristles might fall off, so hold it firmly while you wrap.
Step 4: Repeat and Enjoy
Repeat the process for as many witches’ brooms as you want. This is where having little helpers comes in handy—my kids love cutting and wrapping, and it turns into a fun Halloween kitchen party. Once they’re all done, you can enjoy right away or set them out for your guests.
Pro Tips for Making Witches’ Brooms Recipe
- Cut Licorice Evenly: Uniform 1-inch pieces help keep the bristle look tidy and easier to wrap.
- Use Fresh Pretzels: Fresh, unbroken pretzels hold the shape better and feel crispier when eaten.
- Wrap Tightly: Wrapping the black licorice firmly ensures your broom won’t fall apart when picked up.
- Keep Licorice Away from Heat: Licorice can get sticky and stretchy if overheated, so assemble at room temperature for best results.
How to Serve Witches’ Brooms Recipe
Garnishes
While I keep these brooms simple most times, I sometimes sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter or dust with powdered sugar for a frosted look that kids really love. A little candy eyeball placed nearby can add to the spooky vibe without overpowering the snack.
Side Dishes
These witches’ brooms pair wonderfully with other Halloween treats like caramel apples, candy corn, or pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies. I often serve them alongside a warm cup of spiced apple cider or hot chocolate for an extra cozy feel.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged the witches’ brooms standing upright in a small jar filled with black beans to mimic a witch’s broom holder. It made a cute centerpiece that was both decorative and edible! You can also lay them out like a broomstick circle or place them on a Halloween-themed platter with fake cobwebs for some spooky flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid refrigeration because the pretzels can get soft and the licorice loses its chewiness. They stay fresh for a couple of days best this way.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing these because pretzel rods can become soggy when thawed, and licorice might get sticky. It’s better to make them fresh when you want to serve them. Trust me, they don’t require much time, so you won’t be disappointed.
Reheating
Since this is a no-bake treat, reheating isn’t necessary. But if you want the black licorice a bit softer for wrapping next time, a few seconds in your hands will warm and make it more pliable. Just don’t overdo it, or it gets too sticky.
FAQs
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Can I use regular licorice instead of shoestring licorice?
You can, but shoestring licorice is ideal because it’s thin and flexible, which makes it easy to wrap and cut. Regular licorice tends to be too thick and rigid for this recipe.
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How long do witches’ brooms last once made?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for about 2 days. After that, pretzels may lose their crunch and licorice might harden or get sticky.
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Can I make these without pretzels?
Absolutely! For a different twist, you can use breadsticks or even chocolate-dipped pretzel rods. Just make sure they’re sturdy enough to hold the licorice bristles.
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What’s the best way to get kids involved?
Kids usually love cutting the shoelace licorice pieces and helping wrap the black licorice around the broom bristles. It’s a fun, hands-on activity with immediate tasty results!
Final Thoughts
This Witches’ Brooms Recipe is one of those simple pleasures that brings such joy with very little effort. I love how festive and whimsical they look, and honestly, everyone who tries them asks for more. If you’re looking to add a little magic to your next gathering or just want a clever Halloween treat, give this recipe a go—I’m confident it’ll become a fast favorite in your home too!
Print
Witches’ Brooms Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 witches’ brooms
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Witches’ Brooms are a fun and spooky no-bake treat, perfect for Halloween parties or as a themed snack. These edible brooms are made by wrapping green licorice pieces around pretzel rods as broom bristles, then securely tying them with black licorice to create a charming and delicious decoration that’s easy to assemble and enjoy.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 6 pieces green shoestring licorice
- 6 pretzel rods
- 6 pieces black shoestring licorice
Instructions
- Cut Licorice Bristles: Slice one green shoestring licorice into 1-inch lengths to create the broom bristles.
- Assemble the Broom: Arrange the small licorice pieces around one end of a pretzel rod to form the broom’s bristles evenly covering the tip.
- Secure the Broom Bristles: Tightly wrap one black shoestring licorice around the arranged green licorice pieces on the pretzel rod, wrapping firmly to keep the bristles in place and tucking in the end to secure the wrapping.
- Repeat Process: Repeat steps 1 to 3 with all remaining green licorice, black licorice, and pretzel rods to assemble six witches’ brooms total.
Notes
- Use shoestring licorice varieties that are flexible for easier wrapping.
- Ensure the black licorice is wrapped tightly to prevent the bristles from falling off.
- These treats require no cooking and can be assembled quickly, making them perfect for last-minute parties.
- Store assembled witches’ brooms in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 broom
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
