Leprechaun Thumbprints are the perfect sweet-and-salty treat! With just three ingredients, they’re easy to make and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
3 Ingredient Treats That Disappear in Minutes!
I love any excuse to whip up these quick “turtle” treats—they’re so good I’ve made them for nearly every holiday (like Rolo Pretzel Turtles, Easter Pretzels, and M&M Flower Pretzels).
With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, I had to make a festive version!
With just three ingredients and a few minutes in the oven, these easy treats are perfect for last-minute parties. Plus, they’re a fun project for kids—they’ll love unwrapping chocolates, assembling pretzels, and topping them with green M&M’s!
Leprechaun Thumbprints Ingredients
| Ingredient | Tips & Options |
|---|---|
| Pretzels | Use snap or tight twist pretzels so the caramel does not slip through. Skip butter flavored pretzels so the chocolate flavor stands out. |
| Chocolates | Rolos melt the best and give a soft caramel center. Hershey Kisses or Hugs also work in these Leprechaun Thumbprints. |
| Green M&M’s | Pick green M&M’s out of a regular bag or buy an all green pack online for easy prep. |
Variations
Switch Things Up
- Chocolate: Try different chocolate candies like dark salted caramel Rolos.
- Nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts—like almonds, pecans, or walnuts—on the chocolate before it sets.
- Sprinkles: Add green sprinkles or sanding sugar to the warm chocolate.
- White Chocolate: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the pretzels.
- Sea Salt: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on the warm chocolate for a sweet and salty mix.
chelsea’s recipe tip
My Top Leprechaun Thumbprints Tips
- Watch the chocolate: It should soften, not fully melt or burn.
- Let them cool: Wait until the chocolate sets before moving or eating.
- Line the pan: Use parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Act fast: Press M&M’s in right after melting so they stick.
Storage
- Room temp: Store leprechaun thumbprints in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Refrigerate: Chill in hot or humid areas; layer with parchment.
- Freeze: Keep in an airtight bag for up to 2 months.
More St. Patrick’s Day Fun:
Quick And Easy
St Patrick’s Day Treats {Free Printables}
St. Patrick's Day
Lucky Charms Bars
St. Patrick's Day
Shamrock Shake Recipe
Quick And Easy
Leprechaun Bait
Leprechaun Thumbprints
Video
Equipment
- Large sheet pan (15" x 21")
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
- 30 pretzel snaps or pretzel twists
- 30 Rolos unwrapped
- 30 green M&M’s or other candy-coated chocolate, see note 1
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone liner. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Place the pretzels on the prepared sheet pan and top each pretzel with an unwrapped Rolo.
- Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for about 2 minutes, or until the Rolos are soft but not melted (see note 2). Keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn!
- Once you take the pretzels out of the oven, press a green M&M into the center of each Rolo.
- Let the pretzels cool and the chocolate harden completely before eating. This should take about an hour at room temperature, or you can speed things up by putting the tray in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Chocolate crumbling? Oven was too hot or baked too long.
- M&M’s won’t press in? Oven was too cool or treats weren’t baked long enough.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m Chelsea’s sister and she made these years ago and I’ve been making them every st Patrick’s day since then with my kids! It’s a favorite tradition!