A warm soft pretzel at the mall is always a treat. I’ve been practicing making them at home. There aren’t many trips to the mall these days. Pretty Tasty!
Here’s what you’ll need.
1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 package active dry yeast
4 1/2 cups
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
2 ounces real butter, melted
2 large chopped jalapeños with stems, seeds and membranes removed
Olive oil, for pan
8-10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt
Dissolve yeast , salt and sugar in warm water. Set aside til it begins to raise and bubble. 10-12 minutes.
In a stand mixer bowl place flour, melted butter and chopped jalapeños and nutmeg. Add yeast mixture and mix with bread hook attachment on low speed to knead dough for about 5 minutes. Shape dough into a ball and place in a well oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and then a towel. Place in a warm place for 1 hour to raise.
When dough has doubled in size move it to a slightly oiled surface. Divide into 8 pieces.
Shape each piece into a 20-24 inch rope. Fold rope into a U shape and twist ends together. Fold twisted ends backwards to the center of the U.
Bring 8-10 cups of water and 2/3 cups of baking soda to a rapid boil. One at a time boil the pretzels for 30 seconds. Remove with a wire slotted spoon and place on an oiled baking sheet. 4 pretzels to each sheet.
Brush each pretzel with egg and water mixture and sprinkle with pretzel salt or kosher salt.
Bake one sheet at a time on center rack of a preheated 450 degree oven for 12 minutes.
pretzels should be a dark golden brown.
TIPS:
- These are great eaten plain or dipped in cheese sauce or honey mustard.
- To create warm place for dough to raise, preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Leave on for 2 minutes and then turn off oven. Place covered dough on center rack of oven for raise time.
- An easy way to shape your dough ropes is to begin rolling between your hands. Grasp the ends of the rope and twirl in a circular motion until you get the desired length.