Sometime you get a craving for a snack and just don’t feel
like going to the store. With just
a few pantry staples you (and your kids) can create these easy, chewy,
delicious soft pretzels. Once you
make these at home – you won’t go back to store bought again.
like going to the store. With just
a few pantry staples you (and your kids) can create these easy, chewy,
delicious soft pretzels. Once you
make these at home – you won’t go back to store bought again.
According to the pretzel manufacturer Snyder’s of Hannover
the history of pretzels go back to 610 AD when a monk who was baking unleavened
bread for Lent got the idea of folding the dough into the shape it’s in today
to replicate the praying stance of that day. When people would pray they would fold their arms with their
hands on the opposite shoulder.
The monk thought that these little bits of folded dough would make a
good “pretiola” or little reward for children who recited their prayers.
the history of pretzels go back to 610 AD when a monk who was baking unleavened
bread for Lent got the idea of folding the dough into the shape it’s in today
to replicate the praying stance of that day. When people would pray they would fold their arms with their
hands on the opposite shoulder.
The monk thought that these little bits of folded dough would make a
good “pretiola” or little reward for children who recited their prayers.
These homemade pretzels are chewy and very simple to
make. Older children can help with
measuring and rolling out the dough.
They take a little patience since there is about an hour where the dough
needs to rest and rise but all in all these are a quick snack for a cold winter
day.
make. Older children can help with
measuring and rolling out the dough.
They take a little patience since there is about an hour where the dough
needs to rest and rise but all in all these are a quick snack for a cold winter
day.
There are many recipes on the internet for homemade pretzels
(I’ve even seen kits at A.C. Moore) but the one I like the best is on www.foodnetwork.com by Alton Brown.
I’ve used many of his recipes and they seem to be very well tested and
easy to follow.
(I’ve even seen kits at A.C. Moore) but the one I like the best is on www.foodnetwork.com by Alton Brown.
I’ve used many of his recipes and they seem to be very well tested and
easy to follow.
To make homemade pretzels:
1 ½ cups warm water
1 packet active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
22 ounces all purpose flour or 4 ½
cups
cups
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
vegetable oil for pan
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1
tablespoon water
tablespoon water
pretzel salt
Directions:
1. Combine the water, sugar
and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle with the yeast on
top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or
until the mixture begins to foam.
Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on
low speed until well combined.
Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls
away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle with the yeast on
top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or
until the mixture begins to foam.
Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on
low speed until well combined.
Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls
away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil
it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic
wrap and sit it in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until it
doubled in size.
it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic
wrap and sit it in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until it
doubled in size.
3. Preheat the oven to 450
degrees. Line 2 half sheet pans (or
cookie sheets) with parchment paper and lightly brush with vegetable oil (or
use silicone sheets). Set aside.
degrees. Line 2 half sheet pans (or
cookie sheets) with parchment paper and lightly brush with vegetable oil (or
use silicone sheets). Set aside.
4. Bring the 10 cups of water and the
baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8 quart saucepan or roasting pan.
baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8 quart saucepan or roasting pan.
Now here comes the fun part!
5. Turn the dough out onto a slightly
oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24 inch rope. The dough will be stretchy so be sure
that you have a big enough work space to roll the dough out the entire 24
inches, if you don’t the pretzel will shrink up when you go to form it.
oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24 inch rope. The dough will be stretchy so be sure
that you have a big enough work space to roll the dough out the entire 24
inches, if you don’t the pretzel will shrink up when you go to form it.
6. Make a U shape with the rope, then
holding the ends cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U
in order to form the shape of the pretzel. Place onto the prepared pans.
holding the ends cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U
in order to form the shape of the pretzel. Place onto the prepared pans.
7. Once the water has come to
a boil add the pretzels to the water just a few at a time and boil for 1 minute
to 1 minute and 30 seconds.
a boil add the pretzels to the water just a few at a time and boil for 1 minute
to 1 minute and 30 seconds.
8. Remove them from the water using a
slotted spoon. Place them back on
the prepared pan and brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
slotted spoon. Place them back on
the prepared pan and brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
Place the pans in the pre-heated
oven and bake until golden brown about 12-14 minutes.
oven and bake until golden brown about 12-14 minutes.
Let them cook on a rack for about
5 minutes. Then enjoy!!
5 minutes. Then enjoy!!
There are lots of variations to
the pretzel theme. Sprinkle them
with cinnamon and sugar, dip them in garlic flavored butter or come up with
your own special way to enjoy them.
the pretzel theme. Sprinkle them
with cinnamon and sugar, dip them in garlic flavored butter or come up with
your own special way to enjoy them.
How do you like your pretzels?
