monday {menu}

 

recipe from... h e r e

Heart Shaped Homemade Pretzels 

ingredients: 

• ▢1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
• ▢2 TBSP Brown Sugar
• ▢2 tsp Quick Rising Yeast
• ▢4 TBSP Canola Oil Divided
• ▢2 tsp Kosher Salt
• ▢4 1/2-5 Cups All Purpose Flour
• ▢8 Cups Water
• ▢2 tsp Baking Soda
• ▢1 Large Egg
• ▢1 TBSP Water
• ▢Coarse Kosher Salt
• ▢4 TBSP Butter Melted

instructions:

• Proof the yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer by adding the yeast, 1 1/2 cups water and sugar together. Cover with a towel and let it stand for 5-10 minutes until bubbles form.
• Add 3 TBSP of oil and 2 teaspoons of salt. Using the dough hook, add in the flour a cup at a time on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and knead the dough until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 4 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and pour remaining 1 TBSP oil into the same bowl. Form the dough into a ball and place it back into the bowl. Turn to coat with oil. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm place for 1 hour or until double in size.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• In a large pot bring the 8 cups of water to a boil.
• Spray a standard baking sheet lightly with cooking spray and set aside.
• While you are waiting for the water to come to a boil, use a knife or pizza cutter and divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
• Roll out dough into a long “snake”.  About 20″ long.
• Bring the ends up together, making a raindrop shape, and pinch ends together. 
• Twist the pinched ends together two times. 
• Fold down the twisted ends into the middle of the ‘raindrop’ shape. 
• Pull down the center bottom of the dough. 
• Pinch together the center bottom dough and tweak the top to make a heart shape.
• Once you're done shaping the pretzels and your water has come to a boil, stir in baking soda to the water.
• When you place the pretzels into the boiling water, dip the bottom end in first and gently lay the rest into the hot water. 
• Boil two at a time for 55 seconds then remove to the baking sheet.
• Once all boiled, beat together egg and 1 TBSP water and brush over the tops.
• Generously sprinkle with coarse kosher salt.
• Bake for 16-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter. Serve warm.