Homemade Pretzels
(I know, I know... and you're welcome!)
The perfect party pleaser, friend pleaser, husband pleaser, kid pleaser, basically a pleaser for anyone with taste buds. I have made this recipe so many times, for some many different reasons, and I have never had a single person not go back for seconds! I can still remember the first time I ever made these pretzels. I had just gotten married, moved to Florida and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my best friend, Brandi. I had been planning her trip to see me for weeks. All of the places I would take her, restaurants I would make her try and of course those fun little snacks for the house! We are the type of people who cannot pass up a warm, soft pretzels when we are out and about, so what better treat to surprise her with! I come from a long line of bread lovers, and knew my way around a bag of yeast and flour ;) I just knew I could do it.
And I did!!!! YUM!
I continued to tweak my recipe while we were in Florida. I made them for my brother on his weekend laundry trips up from Daytona, my cousins Katie and Clare and friends when they would come visit, for all of our parties, for all of the parties we attended, until finally the recipe was perfect! (Well perfect to me and my #1 fan, my husband Adam!! If I recall correctly this was the first thing he ever truly complimented me on cooking wise). Oh yeah, this recipe is that good.
One of the most fun experiences I have had with my pretzels was making them for my little, little cousins once I moved back, the Hincks family. They were spending the day with me and we were looking for a fun project to do together! So we made pretzels. After the dough was good to go (yes, I just made a rhyme), I sat each of the girls down at my kitchen table and handed them a ball of dough. They had so much fun making letters, shapes, flowers etc. We played and played and played until all of the dough was handled and placed onto cookie sheets. When it was all said and done the girls got to enjoy their artistic creations, and boy did they ever!
Many of you have tried to make this recipe, and many have failed. It's not your fault. There are some parts that are just difficult to understand and time consuming! So, I am going to give you the step by step BY STEP format with pictures!! I know you can do it! And trust me when I say your troubles to learn this recipe will be worth it!! Whether you are cooking them as an appetizer for a big party, a project/treat for your kids, or just a yummy night-time snack, these pretzels will never dissapoint!
1 packet active dry yeast
2 tsp. brown sugar
1 dash of salt
1 1/2 cups of hot water (110 degrees). I always just let the faucet get all the way hot and then use that water.
4 cups of all-purpose white flour
1 TBSP baking soda
1/4 cup warm water
1 stick of REAL BUTTER, preferably salted
Pretzel salt (I had heard people say that they like the regular salt just as much - I used regular salt in the early days of this recipe- So this is your choice.
Making the Magic:
(I am excited because this is the first time Collin has ever helped me with my pretzels).
Step 1: Combine the first 4 ingredients (yeast, brown sugar, salt and hot water) in a big bowl. Do not stir. Allow them to rest for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Stir flour into the mixture and knead for 5 minutes. Make sure the flour is packed in. Kneading basically means mixing it together, throw it, beat it, punch it. Use your hands! Don't be afraid to take the blob of dough out of the bowl to really mix it well.
Step 3: Cover the bowl with a damp towel, place bowl in a warm area and leave it sit for 60 - 80 minutes.
Step 4: Now that you have allowed the dough to rise, you are ready for rolling and shaping! So go ahead and preheat your oven to 550 degrees!
What if my dough didn't rise?
a) your yeast could have been old or expired
b) the area was not warm enough
Can I still use the dough if it didn't rise?
a) Yes, I have done this several times. The biggest difference is
the fluffiness of the cooked pretzels. But they are still ok!!
Step 5: Shape the pretzels. Just a warning, this part is very time consuming. Most of the time, I just make pretzel sticks because that is the easiest and quickest way to do it. My favorite shape is the "cinnamon roll" shape. I think it holds the butter and salt the best! See below.
Step 6: Mix your baking soda and 1/4cup warm water together. (I normally do so on a big paper plate -it just works best for me).Step 7: THIS IS IMPORTANT! Don't forget this step. BEFORE you
place your newly shaped pretzel onto the cookie sheet, roll the pretzel in
this baking soda/water mix. (This is what browns your pretzel during
cooking)!! Finally, place your pretzel on a greased cookie sheet.
Step 8: Bake the pretzels, one tray at a time, in a 550 degree oven for
8-10 minutes until golden brown!
BEFORE AFTER
Step 9: Melt your stick of butter and then brush it over the top and bottom of each pretzel. MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS WHILE THE PRETZELS ARE STILL WARM!
Step 10: Add the salt immediately after applying the butter to the pretzel. Trust me, it sticks better.
VOILA! You just made soft pretzels. Now, take a bite and tell me that's not one of the best things ever!
SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND: You can put these pretzels in the freezer and they will last for days. (Probably longer, ours just never make it that long). The key to reheating these pretzels is to USE THE MICROWAVE. Trust me. When you are re-warming them always use the microwave!
I can't wait to share some of our dips and additional recipes that we use to go along with our famous pretzels. Stay tuned to our blog and we will be sure to give you more of our brilliant ideas... lol!
ENJOY!
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