Homemade Soft Prezels

We had a snow day this past week so I took the opportunity to make soft pretzels with all the kids.  But now that we’ve tasted them, I don’t think we’ll wait for another snow storm to make them again!  I was originally looking for the dough hook for the mixer, and only decided to have the kids help me kneed the dough when I couldn’t find it.  However, they all had such a good time helping with that part that I might do it that way again even if I do find the dough hook!  I will say it made me glad I’m not a pioneer woman who has to make her own bread every day.  That would not be good for my carpal tunnel.  I found the recipe on allrecipes and modified it slightly.

Ingredients:

4 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp white sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees)
5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup baking soda
4 cups boiling water
1/4 cup kosher salt for topping

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 1 1/4 cups warm water.  Let rest for ten minutes until foamy.
• In a large bowl, mix flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt.  Make a well in the center and the oil and the yeast mixture.  Mix until dough forms, adding 1 or 2 more teaspoons of water if dough is dry.  Kneed on floured surface for 7-8 minutes.
• Place in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Let dough rise for about an hour, until doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 450 and grease two cookie sheets.
• Split dough into 12 parts and make in to desired shapes.  The kids enjoyed making the first letters of their names.
• In a saucepan, dissolve 1/2 cup baking soda into 4 cups of water.  Dip each pretzel into the boiling water for 30 seconds, the place on cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with salt.
• Bake for 8 minutes, or until nicely browned.

No, we didn’t spell “cat” wrong.  Those are the first letters of the kid’s names.

I enjoyed being able to explain what the yeast would do in the dough, and it was funny how after an hour had passed my eight-year-old came running up to tell me how huge the dough had gotten.  The kids also enjoyed making different shapes out of their pretzel dough, and watching the baking soda water get all big and bubbly.  And yes, they also enjoyed eating the pretzels!   I will say that these soft pretzels were a bit sweeter than the ones I am used to, and if I make this recipe again I may half the sugar and see how they turn out.

Happy baking, everyone!