Soft Pumpernickel Pretzels Recipes

SOFT PUMPERNICKEL PRETZELS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine all 3 flours (11 oz weight total), yeast, salt, cocoa powder, sugar, molasses, butter and caraway seeds.
• Add the hot water gradually, stirring until well blended. Dough should not be too sticky.
• Attach the dough hook, put the bowl on the stand and knead for about 8 minutes. If dough is too dry as it kneads, add a tiny bit of water. If it is too wet, add a little flour. Dough should feel pretty firm, smooth, and elastic once kneaded.
• Transfer dough to a oiled bowl and turn so that dough is lightly coated with oil. Cover and let rise for one hour.
• After dough has risen, divide it into 5 chunks.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Have a parchment lined heavy duty baking sheet ready to go.
• Bring the water and baking soda to a boil in a large saucepan.
• Shape each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope and form into a pretzel shape.
• Working one piece at a time, put the shaped pretzels in the boiling water for 30 seconds, then lift it out with a slotted spatula and put on a parchment lined baking sheet.
• When all pretzels are formed, brush with the egg yolk mixture and sprinkle with coarse salt OR caraway seeds
• Bake for about 12-14 minutes at 450 degrees F. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool or serve warm.

CHEWY SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine sugar, salt, yeast mixture and 2 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough. , Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch down dough; divide and shape into 12 balls. Roll each into a 22-in. rope; shape into a pretzel., Preheat oven to 425°. Place water and baking soda in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Place pretzels, 1 at a time, in boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove; drain on paper towels that have been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. , Place on greased baking sheets. Brush with egg; top as desired. Bake until golden brown, 12-14 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; serve warm.

LARGE SOFT PRETZELS (QUICK)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Mix water and sugar together in a bowl until sugar is dissolved; add yeast. Let mixture stand until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk flour, butter, and salt together in a bowl until well mixed; add yeast mixture and stir with a fork until dough starts to cling. Turn dough onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth.
• Cut dough into 15 equal pieces and roll each piece between your hands into rope shapes at least the thickness of a pencil. Twist dough into desired shapes and arrange on a baking sheet; brush with egg and sprinkle coarse salt over each.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pretzels are browned and cooked through, 8 to 12 minutes.

BUTTERY SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 1/4 cup warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two more tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
• In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in 4 cups hot water; set aside. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda-hot water solution and place pretzels on baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
• Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 8 minutes.

THE BEST PHILADELPHIA SOFT PRETZELS EVER

Steps:

• In mixing bowl add warm water and yeast. Stir until the yeast is completely dissolved.
• Add the sugar. Stir. Gradually stir in the flour. The dough will become stiff and dry. That's what you want.
• Sprinkle some flour on the counter or on a board. Flour your hands, too. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes.
• Form the dough into a ball. Place the ball of dough back in the bowl and cover the bowl with a dish towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, dark place for at least 30 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
• While the dough rises, heat the oven to 400F degrees. Grease or butter a cookie sheet.
• Fill a saucepan half full of water, add the baking soda, and bring the water to a slow boil.
• When the dough is finished rising, put it on a floured surface. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a square shape, about 1/4-1/2 inch (6-10 mm) thick. Cut the dough into 1/2-inch (or so) wide strips. They don't have to be perfect.
• Twist each strip into a pretzel shape, pinching the ends so they don't fall apart. Be careful not to let the strips stretch too thin as you handle them.
• Place a pretzel on a spatula and lower it into the boiling water for 5-10 seconds. It will puff up and float. Use the spatula to remove the pretzel from the water. Place the pretzel on the greased cookie sheet. Repeat this with the other pretzels.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg for 1 minute. Use a pastry brush to coat the top of each pretzel with the egg. Sprinkle salt over the pretzels.
• Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Serve with warmed mustard or melted cheese. YUM!

SOFT PRETZEL BITES

Steps:

• Place 1 1/2 cups water, butter, brown sugar, yeast, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Mix until well combined. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
• Turn mixer on low speed and add 4 cups flour, 1 cup at a time. Add additional 1/2 cup flour if dough appears sticky. Increase speed to medium and knead until dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 4 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle in more flour if dough still seems a little tacky.
• Oil a large mixing bowl. Add the ball of dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a sheet pan with cooking spray.
• Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large saucepan. Slowly add baking soda and return to a boil.
• Meanwhile, remove dough from the bowl, flatten into a disc shape, and cut into 8 wedges. Roll each wedge into a 24-inch rope. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces.
• Drop batches of dough pieces into the boiling water for about 35 seconds. Remove to the prepared sheet pan. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water; brush over the tops of each boiled dough piece. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.