Baking Soda Substitute For Pretzels Recipes

BUTTERY SOFT PRETZELS WITHOUT BAKING SODA BATH

Steps:

• Heat 1 1/2 cups of water in the microwave for 45 seconds so the water is warm
• Add the yeast and sprinkle 1/2 tsp sugar on the top, stir and let sit 5 minutes
• Mix together 4 cups of flour, salt and 1 tbsp sugar in a stand mixer
• Pour in the yeast mixture and melted butter
• Mix on a low speed with a dough hook until combined and smooth looking, about 5 minutes
• Roll in to a ball, return to the bowl, cover and rise for 30 minutes
• Preheat oven to 400
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper
• Cut 8-10 pieces and roll them out into ropes, and a pretzel shape or any shape! (see video on rolling pretzels)
• Brush the pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle with salt
• Bake for 12 min
• Turn oven to broil and broil for 1 minute
• Remove from the oven
• Brush the pretzels with melted butter
• Serve!

BAKED BAKING SODA METHOD FOR SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• First, you must bake the baking soda. This step should be done while the pretzels are undergoing their first rise, if not earlier.
• Preheat the oven to 250°F/120°C/ gas 1/2. Spread out baking soda on an aluminum pie pan or a small rimmed baking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Bake the baking soda for 1 hour. The baking soda will lose weight as it bakes but maintains about the same volume, so you should end up with about 1/4 cup (60g) of baked baking soda. Allow it to cool completely, and then keep it in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to make pretzels. (If you see more than one batch of pretzels in your future, consider baking a whole box of baking soda in one shot, since it keeps indefinitely. Sift baked baking soda before using, as it cakes after prolonged storage.)
• Select a large stainless-steel pot and fill it with 8 cups (2L) of water. Be sure to choose a pot that is at least a finger's length wider than the diameter of the pretzels and tall enough so that the water comes up no more than 2 in (5cm) from the rim. (Avoid other metal surfaces, such as aluminum and copper, and nonstick surfaces, which may react with the baked baking soda.) Pour in the 1/4 cup (60g) of baked baking soda, and bring the liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once the baking soda dissolves, reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Before baking, brush the tops of the pretzels lightly with an egg wash of 1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tbsp of water. This will give them a glossy finish.

SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• Put yeast, sugar and water in bowl and stir. Let sit for 5 minutes and add salt, butter and 1 cup flour. Stir till smooth.
• Add rest of flour and stir till mixed well. When mixture is too stiff to stir with a spoon (or you can use an electric mixer with dough hook like I do), begin kneading. Knead dough till smooth and the dough no longer sticks to your hands.
• Place dough back in bowl and cover to rise to double it's size.
• While dough is rising, grease cookie sheet and preheat oven to 475°F Prepare baking soda boil by combining the 4 cups of water and 5 teaspoons baking soda in a non-aluminum pot and bring to a boil on stove.
• When dough has risen, punch down and knead a minute or so. Divide and roll into 6 inch sticks to about 1/2 inch diameter with your hands, or 12 inch long rolls to make into the pretzel shape.
• Allow pretzels to sit for 2-3 minutes. Place 1-2 at a time into the boiling baking soda water.
• Let pretzels boil for 1 minute and 10 seconds on one side, then flip them over and boil 1 minute and 10 seconds on the other side.
• This boiling step is the secret to firm skin and adds that definite pretzel flavor. Not boiling them long enough leaves them too soft and allows them to rise too much. Boiling too long makes them tough. Err on the side of not too long if unsure.
• Using a large slotted spoon, lift them out the of water, let them drip off and place on the greased cookie sheet. When all are done, sprinkle with course salt (Parmesan is good too!).
• Bake 12-15 minutes until the are a medium to dark golden brown.
• Makes 3 dozen 6 inch sticks or 1 dozen pretzels.