Sunday, February 28, 2010

Soft Pretzels

Ah, there's nothing like walking through a mall and catching the aroma of freshly baked pretzels. Only problem is all those people.
Now you can please your agoraphobic self and just make them at home.


This is an Alton Brown Recipe which I'll post for you at the bottom here.  I thought they were pretty darned easy and kinda fun.
I didn't have actual pretzel salt so just used the coarse kosher salt on the plain ones.  (True confession time:  I like my plain pretzels just dipped in ketchup.  I blame a college friend)


These I flopped around in some cinnamon sugar, heavy on the cinnamon.


And these are graced with sharp cheddar cheese.  Bacon bits might be nice on there too.  Heck, bacon bits are nice everywhere.


Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 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
  • Pretzel salt

Directions

Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle 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. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.
In the meantime, 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. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.
Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

31 comments:

Monica H said...

Your pretzels looks great! This recipe is so good!

Cheddar cheese and bacon would be awesome. yummy!

Lunch Buckets said...

I just want to make it clear that I am NOT the friend responsible for your reprehensible pretzel dipping habits.

OvenDelights said...

Butter and cinnamon sugar would be great! These look yummy going to have to try them!

Kim said...

Your pretzels turned out fantastic! I like the cheese and bacon idea. I'll have to tell my husband about that. He usually likes cheese and jalapeno, but cheese and bacon sounds even better:D

Small House said...

This is definitely a treat worth making! My daughter tried making pretzels awhile ago...maybe this is the recipe we've been looking for!! Can't wait to see.
Sandra

♥peachkins♥ said...

those pretzels looks great!

Krista said...

These look so soft and delicous! I still haven't made pretzels at home, although I have been thinking about it. My kids (and I) love em'. Thanks for posting the recipe.

Lara said...

These look amazing. Yummy and pretty. I've never had much luck with homemade pretzels myself, but I'll have to give your recipe a try!

Katinka said...

Stopping by from SITS and wishing you a great week!!!! :)

grace said...

i don't often buy pretzels at the mall even though i'm always tempted...i don't want witnesses to the massacre i'll inevitably bring to the poor unsuspecting piece of bread. :)

teresa said...

these look just delicious!

The JR said...

They look terrific!

Kellene Maynard said...

I am in heaven! I have been wanting to make these so badly, but the recipe I have is much more difficult! I can't wait to try these babies!! Thanks for sharing! Stopping by from SITS!

The Blonde Duck said...

I know what to make Ben for his b-day now...

Joanne said...

I have SO been dying to make homemade pretzels recently...thanks for giving the recipe. I love the Auntie-Annie's cinnamon sugar ones!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

YAY! You made them. There were great weren't they. I want more so I can try other toppings like you did. Cheese and bacon sounds pretty stellar.
~ingrid

Katy ~ said...

Wow! You made homemade pretzels! You are totally awesome. Love all the flavors. Yours are beautifully shaped. Well done!!

Joie de vivre said...

Julie,
Thank you, as always, for visiting. Fortunately, I am a stay at home mom, so I can be an agorophobe and still visit the mall Monday mornings. But you are sooooo right, homemade tastes way better.

Ironjack said...

Nicely done those look wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I love soft pretzels and homemade pretzels sound just wonderful!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I am so making these! The possibilities are endless. I can't pass an Aunt Annie's stand without stopping.

Mara Campbell said...

YOu are making me want to make these pretzels again. They are delicious and yours look soo good!!

The Blonde Duck said...

Cookies and pretzels make the world go round!

Unknown said...

I've never tried making them but, think I will now!

NKP said...

Yes! I love homemade soft pretzels. Usually I am a salt-only purist.. but you have caught my attention with the word "bacon"!

Reeni said...

These look so yummy! I feel like making them right now! I like mine in ketchup too - and mayo sometimes.

theUngourmet said...

My husband and my daughter love watching Alton (me too!). I love soft pretzels but have never made them...maybe this weekend we can do this! :)

Juliana said...

Wow, nice pretzels, love them all...great pictures :-)

James said...

So the baking soda goes in the water - will have to try. Was making bagels last night, pretty similar. Bacon and cheese - now you're talking!

momgateway said...

I admire your ability to make pretzels...I love them a lot but too scared to try making them myself!

Sherry G said...

I recently made homemade pretzels too! They can't even compare to the ones you see at the mall. I thought they were fun to make as well. I see these popping up in my house in the near future!