Pretzel Bread Recipes

DSF'S PRETZEL BREAD

Steps:

• Stir dark brown sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, and yeast into warm water in a large bowl, dissolving sugar and yeast. Let stand until a foamy layer forms on the water, about 10 minutes. Stir 3 tablespoons melted butter, half-and-half, and salt into yeast mixture.
• Beat 1 cup flour to wet ingredients, forming a wet, sloppy dough. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and gradually knead remaining 1 cup flour into dough until dough is only slightly sticky, about 10 more minutes. Add more flour if dough is too wet. Form dough into a ball.
• Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon butter; place dough ball into bowl and turn to lightly coat with butter. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area until doubled, 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Stir baking soda and 3 tablespoons honey (if you like a sweeter crust) into a large pot of water and bring to a full rolling boil. Punch down dough and divide in half. Form each half into a small loaf. Carefully drop a loaf into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds on each side. Dough should float. Remove loaf gently and let excess water drip off; place loaf on prepared baking sheet. Boil the second loaf, following same steps, and place onto baking sheet.
• Sprinkle each loaf lightly with salt. Use a sharp knife to cut an X shape into the top of each loaf.
• Bake on a center rack in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and continue baking until crust is shiny and browned and loaves are done in the middle, 10 more minutes. For a softer crust, brush tops of loaves with melted butter.

PRETZEL BREAD

Steps:

• Heat milk and butter until warm (100 degrees to 110 degrees F); the butter will not completely melt. Combine with undissolved yeast and brown sugar in a large mixer bowl. Stir in salt and 2 cups flour, beat for 3 minutes. Gradually add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine boiling solution and bring to a boil. Punch dough down and divide into 2 equal pieces. Form each piece into a tight, smooth ball. Boil each loaf in the solution for 2 minutes, turning after 1 minute. Remove loaves from pot using a slotted spoon and place on a greased baking sheet.
• Brush with egg wash and cut a cross in the top. Bake for 15 minutes then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and bake an additional 10 to 12 minutes until the loaves are evenly browned. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

HOMEMADE PRETZEL BUNS WITH BUTTER AND HAM

Steps:

• Add 1 1/2 cups of lukewarm water and the yeast to a large bowl and allow the yeast to sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of the melted butter. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Once the dough is shaggy, but mostly holding together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Dust your hands with flour and knead the dough for about 3 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking. Form the dough into a ball and place back inside the mixing bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and leave in a warm, dry place to rise until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down once to release some of the air bubbles. Turn the dough out onto a very lightly floured surface and divide the dough into 8 equal pieces with a pizza cutter or a sharp knife. Form each piece into a ball, and place seam side down. Let rise, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring 12 cups of water and the baking soda to a light simmer in a large pot.
• Submerge 2 to 3 dough balls at a time into the simmering water using a slotted spoon. Let them sit in the water for 10 seconds per side. Carefully remove each roll, making sure to drain off as much liquid as possible and place on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make an X on the top of each roll. Brush the remaining melted butter on the rolls and sprinkle with a generous pinch of sea salt. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
• To assemble the sandwiches: Slice each roll in half. Spread softened butter on each of the cut sides of the roll, using about 1 tablespoon of butter per roll. Delicately fold and layer ham on the bottom half of each roll. Top with brie and place about a 1/4 cup of arugula on top of the ham. Sandwich with the top buns.

BREAD PRETZELS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine yeast mixture, sugar, salt and 1 cup flour; beat well. Beat in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a stiff dough is formed. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in volume.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 pieces. Roll pieces out into long sticks and form into pretzel shape. Place pretzels on prepared baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with kosher salt.
• Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown.

PRETZEL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pretzel crumbs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake them, stirring once, until they smell toasty (they may not darken, and that's OK), about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Pour crumbs into the bowl of an electric stand mixer to cool. Whisk in flour, sugar and salt. Place the butter cubes on top of the flour mixture and chill until everything is very cold, at least 30 minutes.
• Using the paddle attachment, beat flour and butter mixture on low speed until it comes together into a dry, crumbly dough that just holds together when you squeeze it, 10 to 15 minutes. If the dough isn't coming together in the mixer, use your hands to knead it. It will be difficult to work with.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. On a floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out and press dough into an 8-by-10-inch rectangle about 3/8-inch thick. (Alternatively, you can press the dough into a quarter sheet pan with your fingers instead of rolling). Cut into rectangles approximately 3 inches by 2 inches. Transfer rectangles to the lined baking sheet. Using the tip of a slim chopstick or a fork, poke holes all over the dough, going halfway but not all the way through. Place baking sheet in freezer until dough is frozen, at least 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 500 degrees. If using baking soda for the coating, combine it in a small pot with 2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve. Let cool completely. Dip each cookie into the solution, letting the excess drip off, then place it back on the baking sheet. If using an egg white, whisk it with 1 tablespoon water until frothy, then brush it on top of cookies. Sprinkle the coated cookies evenly with flaky sea salt.
• Transfer baking pan to oven and immediately lower the temperature to 350 degrees. Bake until deep golden brown, 18 to 23 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely before removing cookies, then store them in an airtight container.

SOFT PRETZELS (FOR BREAD MACHINES)

Steps:

• Place ingredients in bread machine pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
• Select White Bread setting, Manual and then press Start.
• After the machine has completed the second rising cycle, it will beep.
• Remove the dough onto a very lightly floured surface.
• Divide into 4 parts.
• Divide each fourth into 3 pieces.
• Roll each piece into an 18 inch rope.
• Shape rope into a circle, overlapping about 4 inches; from each end, leaving ends free.
• Take one end in each hand and twist at the point where dough overlaps.
• Carefully lift ends across to the opposite edge of circle.
• Tuck ends under edge to make a pretzel shape; moisten and press ends to seal.
• Place on greased cookie sheet.
• Let rise, uncovered, until puffy, about 20 minutes.
• In a 3-quart saucepan, combine 2 quarts of water and 1/3 cup baking soda; bring to a boil.
• Lower 1 or 2 pretzels into the saucepan; simmer for 10 seconds on each side.
• Lift from water with a slotted spoon.
• Return to greased cookie sheet.
• Let dry briefly.
• Brush with 1 egg white slightly beaten.
• Sprinkle with course salt or sesame seeds or leave plain.
• If you leave them plain, after they bake dip into melted butter then in cinnamon and sugar mixture.
• Bake at 425°F for 4 minutes; then turn cookie sheet around and bake 4 more minutes.
• These are so good.

PRETZEL ROLL BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a medium baking dish with cooking spray. Cut pretzel rolls into cubes; set aside.
• Pulse coconut in a food processor for 30 seconds. Transfer to a saucepan with milk, sugar, raisins, butter, salt, almond extract, and vanilla. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring gently, until mixture is warm and sugar has dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Beat eggs in a large bowl. Add warm milk mixture, pecans, and cubed pretzel rolls and stir until evenly coated. Let stand to absorb liquid, at least 10 minutes.
• Transfer bread mixture to the prepared baking dish and set it inside a larger baking dish. Add hot water to the large baking dish to surround the bread pudding, approximately 1/2 inch to 1 inch up the side.
• Carefully place on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake until golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

PRETZEL BREAD

Steps:

• In a 2 quart or larger pan stir together beer, cornmeal and molasses.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, remove and cool to 110*.
• In a large bowl sprinkle yeast over warm water and let stand 5 minutes.
• Stir in beer mixture, oil, table salt and rye flour until well blended.
• Stir in 3 1/2 cups flour until smooth.
• Knead bread until smooth and elastic, around 15 minutes, a dough hook around 10.
• Place in a greased bowl, turning once to cover with oil, cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down, turn out onto a floured board and knead for a few turns to release the air.
• At this point you can shape into rolls, or a loaf, 1 large or 2 small, or shape into a pretzel shape for sandwiches later.
• Which ever you do, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until puffy, around 30 minutes.
• Remove plastic, brush top with egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
• For bread and Pretzel shaped bread bake at 350* for about 30 minutes, rolls 15 to 20.
• Cool on a rack.

HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• Put the flour, yeast, sugar and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl and mix together to combine. In a large jug, mix together 300ml lukewarm water and the butter. Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the water, mixing together to form a rough dough.
• Tip out onto a floured work surface and knead for 10-15 mins or until smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with oiled cling film and set aside until doubled in size, about 1hr.
• Once risen, knock out the air bubbles in the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Using your hands, roll each piece into a long rope about 60cm long.
• To form into pretzels, lay the rope in a U-shape with the curve pointing towards you. Take the two ends and cross them over.
• Take the ends, lift them backwards and press them into the curve of the U-shape. Repeat with the remaining dough. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Carefully place the pretzels on a baking tray lined with parchment and lightly greased with oil. Cover lightly with oiled cling film. Set aside for about 20 mins until puffy (not fully risen like bread dough).
• Fill a medium-sized saucepan with water, bring to the boil, add the baked bicarbonate of soda, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. One at a time, carefully lift the pretzels into the pan and cook for 20 secs per side. The pretzels will rise to the surface; flip with a slotted spoon.
• Use the spoon to gently lift the pretzels from the pan and return them to the baking tray. Once they have all been cooked in the water, lightly brush with the egg and sprinkle with flaked sea salt.
• Bake in the oven for 20-25 mins or until a rich, dark brown. Allow to cool on the baking tray for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Best served on the day made but can be frozen for up to 1 month.