Pretzels

Pretzels!

What a fun way to spend time--making pretzels!

1. Warm 2 cups water and 2 teaspoons sugar to 110-120 degrees.  Stir in 2 packets of active yeast and let sit for 5 minutes.

2.  In your mixer bowl, stir 2 and 1/2 cups flour with 1 teaspoon of salt.

3.  Pour the yeast mixture over the flour and slowly beat with the paddle attachment on your mixer.  Slowly add 2 more cups of flour and mix gently until just smooth.

4.  Take the dough out and start to knead on a floured surface.  You can add up to another 1/2 cup flour as you're kneading to make the dough soft and slightly elastic.

5.  Form the dough into a beautiful ball and place in a slightly greased bowl.  Turn over once so the top of the dough is slightly greased also.  Cover with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm spot for at least 30 minutes.

6.  When the dough is ready, cut it into 12-24 pieces (depending on how big you want your pretzels).

7.  In the meanwhile, preheat your oven to 500 degrees (yes!  500!!) and put at least 8 cups water bowling in a large pot.  Add about 1/4 cup baking soda to the water.

8.  Roll each portion of dough into a long rope.








 9.  Form your pretzels with 3 easy steps. (You can make the pieces stick in place by using a dab of water at the joints.)

10. Carefully place the formed pretzel in the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds.  Lift out with a metal sieve or large slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.




11.  Brush with egg wash (one beaten egg with a little bit of water), then salt with Kosher salt.

12.  Bake for about 8 minutes or until golden brown.  Brush with butter and let them cool down before serving.  Enjoy with honey or honey-dijon.  So good...

Thanks to Pinterest who led me to bakerette.com for the inspiration!