Soft Pretzels

Soft Pretzels

Pretzels, known as Brezel in German, comes in both sweet and savoury versions. They are also both soft and hard. These are most popular in southern Germany and adjoining area and also in some parts of US. Today I chose to post this recipe of Soft and buttery sweet Pretzel, just for the fact that Southern Germany is celebrating it's Oktoberfest, and I love celebrations. So why not celebrate in German way ? And what what can be better than some thing sweet ? So friends, roll up your sleeves and warm up your ovens, here comes Soft Sweet Pretzels for your Saturday night dinner.

Preparation Time : 30 minutes
Resting Time        : 1 Hour
Baking Time         :  8 minutes per tray
Difficulty              :  Easy
Serves                  :  6 - 8

Ingredients :

4 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast

1 teaspoon White Sugar (for activating Yeast)

1 1/4 cups Warm Water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

5 cups All-purpose Flour

1/2 cup White Sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons Salt

1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil (use any Vegetable oil)

1/2 cup Baking Soda

4 cups Hot Water

Melted Butter for coating

Powdered Sugar or Granulated White Sugar for Dusting

 

Method :

 1) In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

 

 2) In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt.

 

 3) Make a well in the centre; add the oil and yeast mixture.

 

 4) Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water.

 

 5) Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes.

 

 6) Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.

 

 7) Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

 

 8) Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

 

 9) In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water and set aside.

 

 10) When the dough is fully risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces.

 

 11) Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape.

 

 12) Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. 

 

 13) Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.

 

 14) Once they are done, take out the Pretzels, Put on a wire rack and brush with melted butter and immediately sprinkle sugar of your choice. (If you are not too health conscious, you can even dip the Pretzel in melter butter and coat with sugar by  dusting sugar all over.

 

 15) Your Soft Sweet Pretzels are ready to serve. You can serve them hot, oven fresh or even at room temperature. 

 

                              This is how you twist your Pretzels