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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Pretzel Bites


Soft pretzels are one of my favorite snacks but I don't get to eat them that often since there aren't many places around me that sell them.  So, when I came across this recipe, I knew I had to add it to my list of things to make.  These are great for just munching on, or if you are having a party at your house (especially during football season!).  The recipe makes a pretty decent amount, too.  They are a bit time consuming to make when you have to cut up the dough and boil them for 30 seconds but other than that, they're easy to make if you follow the recipe correctly :) I'll definitely be making these again!

What you'll need:
1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110 F)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast (I used instant)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled just slightly
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
12 c.  water
3/4 cup baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
coarse sea salt

What to do:
1. On low speed, mix the warm water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.

2. Add the salt and 4 1/2 cups of the flour and mix on low speed until combined.  Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough clears the sides of the bowl.  Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a lightly floured surface and knead into a ball with your hands.

3. Spray a bowl with cooking spray (or oil with with vegetable oil), add the dough and turn to coat.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.

4. Preheat the oven to 425 F.  Spray two baking sheets liberally with cooking spray (if you don't, the bottoms of your pretzel bites will be missing once you take them off- trust me).

5. Bring the 12 c. water to a boil in a large sauce pan over high heat and add the baking soda.

6. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each.  Roll each piece into a long rope measuring about 22 inches.  Cut the dough into one inch pieces to make pretzel bites.  Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches of about 10-15 for 30 seconds.  Remove with a large slotted spoon and place the pretzel bites on the prepared baking sheets, making sure they aren't touching.  Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt.  Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

7. Remove to a cooling rack and let rest 5 minutes before eating.

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