The pretzel itself has a long and fascinating history, with most accounts pointing to European monks as its creators. According to the most popular story, an Italian monk twisted strips of dough to resemble praying hands, baked them, and handed out the treats called pretiola, or “little rewards” to motivate his students.1 While the pretzel began as a symbol of faith and tradition, its path forward took on many forms across cultures and centuries.
Its transformation into the chocolate covered pretzel is a much newer and sweeter chapter in history. Rooted in Pennsylvania candy shops in the early 1900s, the combination of crunchy, salty pretzels and smooth, rich chocolate quickly became an irresistible American favorite—one that remains a staple in candy counters, holiday celebrations, and gift boxes today.
Discover how chocolate covered pretzels began, why they became a cultural favorite, and how Asher’s has carried on the tradition as a local legend.
The Legend of the Pretzel
The story of the chocolate covered pretzel is part history, part folklore. While the pretzel itself traces back to Europe in the Middle Ages, the idea of coating it in chocolate is much more recent. Many food historians agree that both Germany and Pennsylvania played defining roles in shaping this sweet-and-salty favorite. Soft, chocolate-dipped pretzels are most often credited to German bakers, while the hard pretzels dipped in chocolate likely emerged later from Pennsylvania bakeries.2
One of the most enduring tales involves a German baker named Herr Franz Joseph Leibniz, who is said to have worked with a chocolatier in Hamburg in the mid-1500s. According to the story, Leibniz experimented by dipping freshly baked pretzels into melted chocolate, creating a snack that was both indulgent and satisfying. While historians note that chocolate in 16th-century Europe was more commonly consumed as a drink rather than a solid,3 Hamburg’s busy port was a hub for cacao imports. The steady flow of cacao through the city helps explain why such a legend could take root there, even if the exact details remain uncertain. It made the city an ideal backdrop for such a culinary experiment.
As pretzels became more prevalent, different cultures would use the treat for different purposes, though some of the most common were related to ceremonies and religious beliefs. Pretzels became a traditional part of Lent during the 16th century and they remain a part of Catholic tradition. Pretzels were, and still are, used in Sweden as part of wedding ceremonies as a symbol of tying the knot. During the wedding ceremony, a bride and groom would pull on the pretzel to break it and fulfill their wishes.
Then German immigrants crossed the Atlantic and settled in Pennsylvania, bringing their pretzel-making traditions with them. By the late 1800s, the modern pretzel was developed. Instead of baking the pretzel for a soft treat, the snack was baked to the point of losing moisture. When moisture was removed, crunchy pretzels became a snack food item that would last for a longer period of time. In 1861 in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Julius Sturgis opened the first commercial pretzel bakery in the US, which really established the crunchy hard pretzel as a staple snack.4
The Rise of the Modern Chocolate Covered Pretzel
Pretzels were sold as either soft or hard snacks, freshly baked with salt or sugar sprinkled on top or sold warm with butter in the middle. It wasn’t long before American confectioners began experimenting with chocolate coatings, transforming a once-simple baked good into a crave-worthy candy counter favorite.
Small-town candy makers in the early 20th century dipped hard pretzels in chocolate, popularizing it beyond local communities into national candy culture. Today, Pennsylvania remains at the heart of pretzel production, often referred to as the Pretzel Belt of America. With its deep-rooted German heritage and thriving candy shop traditions, it’s fitting that the hard, chocolate-dipped pretzel took hold here first.
Though the exact inventor of the chocolate covered pretzel may never be verified, the treat’s rise in popularity speaks for itself. What began as a happy accident or inspired collaboration has become an American classic, enjoyed in countless varieties from dark to milk and white chocolate or covered in sprinkles. Some recipes go even further, mixing chocolate covered pretzels into brownies, popcorn, or nut bars. The versatility of the snack shows just how far this pairing has traveled from its possible 16th-century beginnings.
Asher’s Pretzels as Local Legend
At Asher’s, chocolate covered pretzels aren’t just another product on the shelf; they’re part of our identity. For more than five generations, our family-owned company has perfected the art of coating crunchy, salty pretzels in rich chocolate to create a snack that feels both indulgent and familiar. Over time, these pretzels have become one of our most beloved specialties, enjoyed by customers across the country and passed down through families as a favorite tradition.
What makes Asher’s pretzels stand out is the balance of quality and craftsmanship. From hand-dipped beginnings to today’s carefully refined production, we’ve kept the same dedication to flavor and consistency that first earned us a loyal following. Our chocolate covered pretzels are now a staple in gift boxes, holiday assortments, and everyday treats, helping to cement our reputation as a local legend in Pennsylvania and beyond. (Find a store selling Asher’s near you!)
Want to see how these classics are made? ABC 7’s Localish segment took an inside look at Asher’s production, where they learned how our chocolate covered pretzels are crafted and why this product has become such a defining part of who we are.
We’re known for a variety of takes on the chocolate covered pretzel:
- Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzel Coffee Bags
- Pails of Chocolate Smothered Pretzel Pieces
- Assorted Milk & Dark Chocolate Pretzels
- Mini Pretzels Covered in White Chocolate
- Individually Wrapped Milk Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Gift Baskets Containing Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- And More!
Bringing the Tradition Full Circle
From European monks shaping dough into soft bready snacks to Pennsylvania candy makers dipping crunchy pretzels into chocolate, the story of the chocolate covered pretzel spans centuries and continents. What began as legend and experimentation has become a timeless American favorite, beloved for its perfect balance of sweet and salty.
At Asher’s, we’re proud to be part of that story. Our chocolate covered pretzels have grown from local specialty to nationwide favorite, carrying on a tradition that delights generation after generation. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift basket, a quick snack to brighten your day, or a family treat to share during the holidays, Asher’s has a chocolate covered pretzel for every occasion.
Celebrate the history, enjoy the tradition, and taste why Asher’s chocolate covered pretzels have become a true local legend. Shop Asher’s today.
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