Witches' Brooms

Witches' Brooms

by Betty Crocker

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 Tbsp water

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/8 tsp salt

10 pretzels rods (about 8 1/2 inches long, cut in half crosswise)

2 tsp shortening

2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 tsp shortening

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, beat brown sugar, butter, water and vanilla until well blended. Stir in flour and salt. Shape dough into 20 (1 1/4 inch) balls.

2. Place pretzel rod halves on ungreased cookie sheets. Press ball of dough onto cut end of each pretzel rod. Press dough with fork to resemble bristles of broom. Bake 10-12 min or until set but not brown. Remove to cooling racks; cool completely.

3. Cover cookie sheet with waxed paper. Place brooms on waxed paper. In 1-qt saucepan, melt 2 tsps shortening and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat. Spoon melted chocolate over brooms, leaving about 1 inch at top of pretzel handle and bottom halves of cookie bristles uncovered.

4. In a small microwavable bowl, microwave butterscotch chips and 1/2 tsp shortening uncovered on med-high 30-50 sec, stir after 30 sec, until chips can be stirred smooth. Drizzle over chocolate. Let stand until chocolate is firm before storing.