When we go to the mall, sometimes the kids will talk us into buying one of those overpriced pretzels at Auntie Anne's. Yes, they're good, but on the expensive side! Here's a recipe that comes very close to the actual thing. Also if you notice that my pretzels don't look exactly like pretzels, all I can say is that they were made with love by my little helpers, ages 2, 5, and 8! When you see pictures of perfect looking foods, you can be certain that a kid wasn't involved, LOL!
Ingredients::
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 1/2 pkg.)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/8 teaspoons salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cups flour
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons baking soda
coarse salt , to taste
2 -4 tablespoons butter (melted)(optional)
Directions:
1.Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour.
2.While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 4 cups warm water and 1/4 cup baking soda. Be certain to stir often. Bring to a boil.
3.After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Beat an egg yolk with 1 Tbls water and brush on pretzels, sprinkle with coarse salt. Allow pretzels to rise again. Bake in a 450 degree oven for about 12-15 minutes or until golden.
Toppings:
After you brush with butter try sprinkling with coarse salt. Or for Auntie Anne's famous Cinnamon Sugar, try melting a stick of butter in a shallow bowl (big enough to fit the entire pretzel) and in another bowl, make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Dip the pretzel into the butter, coating both sides generously. Then dip again into the cinnamon mixture.
*These are best served hot and fresh, not good at all as leftovers :-)
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