Well, fall is coming. I always feel the need to start baking when the weather gets cool. This morning I tried my hand at soft pretzels. I thought I would share my recipe. They turned out really good.
1 1/2 cups warm water – don’t use the microwave to heat the water because it gets too hot
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 package active dry yeast
4 1/2 cups flour – all purpose
Vegetable oil, for pan
10 cups water
2 tablespoons melted butter
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt
Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it starts to foam. Add the butter and flour mix until combined. I use the hook attachment on low speed and then switch to medium speed. Continue to mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This takes a few minutes. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Place in a warm place for an hour. It should double in size.
Grease two baking sheets and set aside. Preheat the oven to 425.
Bring baking soda and 10 cups of water to a bowl in a large dutch oven.
Place the dough onto an oiled surface slightly flatten with your hand and cut in to 9 pieces.
Roll each piece in to a long rope 18 – 24 inches. Fold in to a pretzel shape and set aside. Place the pretzels one by one in to the boiling water. This is foam. Remove from the water after 20 seconds and place on the baking sheet. Brush the pretzel with beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until brown in color. Baking should take approximately 12 – 15 minutes.
Enjoy!
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