For a lover of pretzels, there is nothing better than preparing them at home to be able to enjoy them always fresh! The preparation is divided into two phases: it begins with boiling, then proceeds with cooking in the oven which gives these delights the classic consistency and characteristic taste. Here is the recipe for soft pretzels and crunchy ones too!
Ingrediants
- 1 cup of lukewarm water
- 360 grams of flour
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast
- 28 grams of melted butter
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- 300 grams of Bicarbonate
- At least 8 cups of water
- 1 egg yolk
- Coarse salt
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Prepare the Dough
Step 1. Activate the yeast
Pour the lukewarm water into a bowl with the sugar and a teaspoon of salt. Mix well to dissolve the salt and sugar. At this point, add the yeast to the liquid while stirring gently. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes, or until the yeast begins to produce bubbles and foam.
Step 2. Add the flour and butter
To mix the ingredients more easily, it is better to pour in the flour instead of in a single block.
Step 3. Mix the dough
Set the slowest mixer speed to knead the dough. Alternatively, use a wooden spoon and elbow grease to mix the ingredients.
Step 4. Knead the dough
If you're using a food processor with a dough hook, set the speed to medium and let it run until the dough comes off the bowl. Otherwise, knead the dough by hand for 10 minutes, or until you have a nice smooth and elastic ball, not at all sticky.
If the mixture is still sticky and won't come off the bowl, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until you get the right consistency
Step 5. Let the dough rest
Grease a large bowl with oil before placing the pasta in it. Cover it with plastic wrap and place it in a warm corner, in a sheltered corner, for a couple of hours or until the dough has doubled in volume.
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Roll out the dough and shape the pretzels
Step 1. Roll out the dough
Grease the work surface with a little oil before placing the dough on it. Also grease your hands. Initially, roll out the dough with your hands by rolling it to obtain a thick cord. It must be as long as a forearm (from the fingertips to the elbow). Divide the cylinder into 8 pieces of the same size.
Step 2. Shape the pretzels
To get the classic shape, fold the cord into a U. Cross the ends, squeezing them at the sides of the U. If you prefer, you can divide the dough into smaller pieces and give it the shape you prefer; for example, try making mini pretzels, sticks or other cute shapes.
- Make sure the ends are firmly attached to the rest of the dough, or the knot will come loose as it boils.
- If you plan on making crispy pretzels, divide the dough into 24 pieces to make smaller shapes, such as sticks or spirals.
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Boiling and Baking
Step 1. Preheat the oven
If you are going to make soft pretzels, preheat the oven to 230 ° C. For the crunchy version, bring the temperature to 180 ° C.
Step 2. Prepare the boiling water
Pour 8 cups of water into a saucepan and add the baking soda. Bring the water to a boil and then turn off the heat.
Step 3. Boil the pretzels
Dip the pretzels, one by one, into the still boiling water, taking care. Let them boil for 30 seconds, then place them on the previously greased baking sheet.
Step 4. Brush the pretzels with the yolk
Add a tablespoon of water to the yolk, mix well and then use the mixture to brush the pretzels.
Step 5. Add a sprinkle of coarse salt
Step 6. Bake them in the oven
Soft pretzels should stay in the oven for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Crispy pretzels, on the other hand, need to cook for 50 minutes at a lower temperature. Check the cooking every 15 minutes to make sure they don't burn.
Step 7. Remove the pretzels from the oven and let them cool
Place them on a wire rack or clean plate. Wait about ten minutes. When they are no longer hot, you can serve them with mustard, cream cheese, or enjoy them plain.
Advice
- Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse salt and sesame seeds; if you prefer, you can cover them only with sesame seeds, or with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Try different shapes. If you're in a hurry, make some simple sticks.
- If you need to freeze them, allow them to cool completely before placing them in airtight bags. Before consuming them, you need to defrost them, then reheat them in the oven or microwave.
