Homemade Pretzel Recipe Similar to Super Pretzel--Fun for Kids
Pretzel Bites
Fun for All Ages
It's a food, it's like play-doh, it's versatile---it's a pretzel! From when my kids were young to now that they are teenagers, one of their favorite snacks that I make is my homemade pretzels. Over the years, I have used different recipes and got pretzels with mediocre results. Every time I'd purchase the Super Pretzel brand, I'd wonder how I could recreate those yummy wonders. When I'd go to the mall, I'd secretly watch what employees do at places like Aunt Annie's Pretzels, how they dip each pretzel in a solution of some kind. I even found a knockoff Aunt Annie's recipe--it was acceptable. Then I was watching one of the morning shows and saw some gentlemen promoting their pretzel bites. I found their recipe online and immediately tried it. Delicious. They browned beautifully. But, the recipe needed some tweaking. Here's my tweak.
Ingredients for Dough
- 1 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 tsp or 1 packet yeast
- 5 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbls brown sugar
- 1 Tbs oil (like vegetable)
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/3 cup melted butter, unsalted
Constructing and Baking the Dough
- Melt the butter. Set aside.
- Proof the yeast by warming the 1 cup of water (around 100 degrees) and pour in the yeast. Stir very gently. The yeast will blossom within 5 minutes. If it doesn't bloom or plump, your yeast is dead.
- Combine flour, salt, and sugar into a mixing bowl with the dough hook. Wisk the mixture gently to get out any clumps. Add melted butter. Mix gently. Add yeast/water mixture (once yeast has bloomed.) Mix again. Then add the beaten egg and 1 teaspoon of oil.
- Once you have gotten as mixed as possible with the dough hook, knead the mixture gently with your hands until all ingredients have completely combined. Put the dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for around an hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 400.
- Combine approximately 8 cups of water with 1/4 cup baking soda. Bring to a boil when the dough has risen.
- Roll out the dough into long snakes and cut into 2-inch pieces. Place about 10 at a time into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds. Then place on a kitchen towel to slightly dry before placing them on a cookie sheet. Important: Either spray the sheet with non-stick spray or use a baking stone (my favorite).
- Bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Turn the sheet a full 180 degrees and continue to bake for another 6 minutes or until a medium golden brown.
Step-By-Step
Variations
Salted Pretzels:
Once the pretzels have boiled for 30 seconds in the boiling water with the baking soda, dry them off slightly on a towel. Then place them on a baking sheet either greased with non-stick spray or on a baking stone (my favorite). Sprinkle them with kosher salt. Bake as directed above.
Serve with regular, spicy, or honey mustard.
Cinnamon and Sugar:
These were my family's favorite...Combine white sugar and cinnamon into a bowl with a lid. After boiling the bites, shake in the cinnamon and sugar mixture until well covered and place on a baking sheet following the directions above. Serve with a drizzle of frosting.
Frosting:
- 2 tbs melted unsalted butter
- 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
- 1 tbs half and half
- 1 tbs water
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Drizzle over slightly warm cinnamon and sugar bites. Beware! These are addictive!
