Hot Buttered Pretzels - Soft & Chewy

These were made Pretzels for BBD,  since I, was attending the Lenten missions could not post the recipe on time. Nevertheless posting this for the April Mega Marathon.

Pretzels secret taste is due to them being dipped in lye before baking. Lye, or caustic soda burns skin and eyes and gloves and safety glasses are recommended when making a pretzel recipe.

 I have eaten Pretzels had found then hard and chewy was a little hesitant to make them since my daughter and hubby too did not like them. Searched through the many sites and found that these to can be made at home which can be soft, chewy and baking soda can be used instead of lye.

When I made these, told my hubby and daughter to taste, they were hesitant, forced them to taste these and they liked them. But,  said that I should not have sprinkled coarse salt over them since they tasted a little salty. These were really soft, chewy and most of all buttery. Try them, would recommend, not to sprinkle salt over them, otherwise these are perfect.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Sugar
2.1/4 Teaspoons Instant yeast
3/4 to 1 Cup Warm water

Method

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix till everything until well-combined. Knead the dough for 10 minutes, until it’s soft, smooth. Oil a bowl and place the dough (so it doesn't stick),cover with a cling film and allow it to rest till it doubles in volume.

While the dough is resting, prepare the “dip.” Mix 1 cup boiling water with 2 tablespoons baking soda, stirring until the soda is totally (or almost totally) dissolved. Set the mixture aside to cool to lukewarm.

After it doubles in volume , transfer the dough to a lightly greased work surface.

Preheat your oven to 475°F. Prepare a baking sheet by spraying it with vegetable oil spray, or lining it with butter paper.

Divide the dough into eight equal pieces (about 70 grams each.

Shape each piece into a rough log, and let them rest, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

Roll each piece of dough into a long, thin rope and twist each rope into a pretzel.

Pour the baking soda - water solution into a square pan.

Working with two pretzels at a time, place them in the pan with the baking soda-water solution. Spoon the water over them; let them soak for 2 minutes before placing them on the baking sheet smooth side up. This baking soda “bath” will give the pretzels a nice, golden-brown color.

Sprinkle the pretzels lightly with coarse, kosher, or pretzel salt, if desired ( I would suggest that you don't). Allow them to rest, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

Bake the pretzels for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.

While the pretzels are baking, melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter.

Remove the pretzels from the oven, and brush them thoroughly with the melted butter.

Keep brushing the butter on until you’ve used it all up; it may seem like a lot, but that’s what gives these pretzels their real flavor.

Enjoy the pretzels warm .

Labels: Breads, Blogging Marathon, Continental Cuisine, Pretzels

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