Saturday, March 19, 2011

Recipe: Pretzels

Last weekend I tried my hand at pretzels for the very first time! Getting the pretzels into shape was quite a challenge, but I think I didn't do too bad for a first time. I made these to bring to a meeting we had and there were only 2 pretzels left when we went homewards. I take that as a good sign.

Pretzels (makes 24)
- 300gr flour
- 2tbsp sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 2tsp yeast
- 250ml warm water
- 150gr butter, melted and cooled down
- 0.5tsp salt
- 1 egg yolk

Mix 4tbsp flour with the sugar and the yeast and stir until you have a smooth mixture. Place a clean tea towel on top of the bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then mix this with the butter, the rest of the flour and salt. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Place it back into a bowl, cover the bowl and let it rest in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

Make 24 pieces from the dough. I did this by first separating the dough into two equal parts (for the first 12) then separate it again in two equal parts (for 6 each) and again (for 3 each) and the last part I split into 3 equal parts. You will end up with 24 more or less equal parts if that makes sense. Now make rolls from each ball. The dough will be a bit stretchy and make sure you cover your hands in flour to prevent sticking. Keep rolling until the dough is thin enough to form a pretzel shape (see picture). If you don't get it right the first time, keep trying. Once you get it, it is fairly easy, you just need to get in the flow. And the dough is easy to model after you placed it in the basic shape. Coat the pretzels with the egg yolk and sprinkle some sugar on top. Then place them in a pre heated oven on 180 degrees.

Recipe is submitted to weekend cooking and whip up something new :) Go check out what other people have tried :) 

15 comments:

  1. Wow, those look really good. I think you did great shaping them! Have a great weekend and happy cooking.

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  2. Love homemade pretzels! They look perfect.

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  3. Oooh these sound good. A nice treat that's not too sweet. Shoot, I was going to bake bread today, but I might have to try this.

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  4. They sound lovely. And you did a good job shaping them.

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  5. Congratulations on your first try at pretzels..these look really professional! I love making shaped breads, so this might be fun for me. Thanks for the recipe :)

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  6. I love pretzels, but have never tried making my own. These look perfect - you'd never know it was a first attempt!

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  7. they look perfect!
    I have never even thought to try these, but they sound totally do-able.

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  8. I love eating these yummy things but haven't made them in a long, long time. You are tempting me to give this recipe a try.

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  9. I remember making pretzels years ago when I was still in high school. They were so good, but I lost that recipe and hadn't made them since.

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  10. My love of these big pretzels goes back to being a teen and going to the mall with my 2 BFF's. We'd never leave without buying one(still try not to). I love crunchy outside, soft middle and hint of salt. YUM! I recently found some you can make in a wide slot toaster. Never made them myself, but will give it a try.

    You can visit my Weekend Cooking HERE

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  11. These look so pretty.

    I always thought of pretzels as being savoury. I don't remember seeing them as anything other than savoury here.

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  12. Here in the Netherlands it is normal that they have sugar on them, for this savoury/sweet combination. I personally quite love it!

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  13. They look really good :) I like pretzels a lot, but I prefer the German savory ones over the sweet :s

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  14. I used to make these with the kids when they were little. Thanks for reminding me of a sweet time!

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  15. I somehow missed this post! But this looks very good. I want to try this! Thanks for the recipe.

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