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Soft Pretzels

Source of Recipe

Lucinda Quinn, Mad Hungry


Recipe Introduction

"An array of mustards — ranging from spicy to sweet, smooth to grainy — adds intrigue to these easy-to-make soft pretzels. Pretzel salt is available from Spice Barn."

Recipe Link: https://tinyurl.com/235f3aff

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (¼ ounce)
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
â—¦ 2 teaspoons sugar
â—¦ 1 cup warm water
â—¦ 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
â—¦ â…› teaspoon cayenne pepper
â—¦ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
â—¦ Vegetable oil, for baking sheets
â—¦ 3 tablespoons baking soda
â—¦ 1 tablespoon pretzel salt
â—¦ Assorted mustards, for serving



Recipe

Mix yeast, coarse salt, and warm water in a small bowl, whisking until sugar dissolves. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

Mix flour and cayenne in a large bowl. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Slowly pour yeast mixture over flour mixture, stirring to combine. Using your hands, gather dough together. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until it is no longer sticky, about 5 minutes. Cover with plastic, and let rise for 30 minutes.

Cut dough into 12 pieces, and roll each into an 18-inch rope.
Form a U-shape with one rope, and twist ends together twice. Fold twisted portion backward along center of U-shape to form a circle, then gently press ends of rope onto dough to seal. Transfer to an oiled baking sheet, and repeat. Let rise for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add baking soda. Boil pretzels in batches until puffed and slightly shiny, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to wire racks to drain. Return to baking sheet, sprinkle with pretzel salt, and bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Pretzels will keep, uncovered, at room temperature for up to 12 hours. Rewarm in a 250-degree oven if desired, and serve with mustards.

Makes 12