Veronicas Healthy Pretzel Snack Recipes

KIDS CAN MAKE: HEALTHY CINNAMON-RAISIN SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups warm water (110 to 115 degrees F), butter pieces and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Sprinkle the yeast over the water, and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Whisk together the flour, raisins, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a large bowl.
• Add half the flour mixture to the yeast, and mix on low speed until incorporated, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed. Add the remaining flour, increase the speed to medium and continue to beat until the dough gathers around the hook and pulls away from the side of the bowl. Once this happens, continue to beat until the dough is smooth, about 5 minutes more. Remove the dough ball, butter the inside of the bowl, return the dough ball to the bowl, cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Position 2 racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, and spray generously with cooking spray. Punch down the dough, and cut it in half. Divide each half into twelve even pieces, and cover with a towel.
• Roll each piece of dough into an 18-inch rope, working from the middle out. (It helps to hold the dough ends and slap the center of the length on the counter as you stretch and roll.) Make a U shape with one of the dough ropes, lift the ends and twist in the center twice; fold the ends over and down, and pinch to secure them to the bottom of the U to finish the pretzel shape. Transfer the pretzels to the prepared baking sheets. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rest at room temperature until the pretzels rise slightly, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 10 cups water and the baking soda in a large, wide pot, and bring to a low simmer (190 to 200 degrees F), whisking until the baking soda dissolves. Stir together the granulated sugar and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Cut the parchment paper with scissors around each pretzel. Leaving the pretzel on the paper (so it keeps its shape while transporting to the simmering water), remove the pretzels from the baking sheets. Reline each baking sheet with parchment, and spray generously with cooking spray.
• Put each pretzel, top-down, into the simmering water, and remove the paper. Simmer until the pretzels plump, about 1 minute. Carefully flip the pretzels, and continue to simmer 45 seconds more. Remove each with a slotted spoon, shake off excess liquid, place on the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle with some of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Bake the pretzels until they're a few shades darker and the bottoms are nicely browned, 16 to 18 minutes, rotating about halfway through. Brush with the melted butter.
• Store the pretzels at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze them for up to 1 month (let thaw at room temperature).

VERONICA'S HEALTHY PRETZEL SNACK

Steps:

• Spread 3/4 of the pretzel rods and other pretzels with peanut butter, leaving enough uncovered to hold it.
• Roll each prezel in, or cover each pretzel with the toppings listed above or of your choice.
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes or eat right away.

HEALTHY SOFT PRETZEL RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF and lay a piece of parchment paper down onto a baking sheet. Set aside.
• Next, pour yeast, water, and sugar into the bottom of your KitchenAid Stand Mixer's metal bowl. Gently stir mixture together (be careful not to over stir) and let sit until foam begins to form. This will take around 15-20 minutes.
• While yeast is foaming, add all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt, and butter to a medium bowl. Mix until combined.
• Once yeast mixture is ready, place mixing bowl onto your KitchenAid Stand Mixer and attach the dough hook. Turn KitchenAid Stand Mixer to low and slowly add in 1/3 cup of the flour mixture at a time. Continue to mix until the dough has formed. Pretzel dough is ready when the dough is no longer sticky.*
• Sprinkle a little flour onto a clean counter and create a ball with your dough. Cover dough with a tea towel and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• While dough is resting, add 1/3 cup baking soda and 8-9 cups of water into a large stock pot. Cover and bring to a boil.
• After dough has rested, knead pretzel dough with your hands for 3-4 minutes and then separate your dough into 6 dough balls.
• Take a dough ball and use both hands to evenly roll pretzel dough out into a 20-25 inch dough rope. Twist dough into a pretzel shape and pinch the ends so they do not fall apart in the water bath. Set aside.
• When water has come to a boil, place one pretzel at a time into the boiling water for 15-20 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon or spatula, shake access water from the pretzel, and place onto baking sheet lined.
• Lastly, create an egg wash by whisking 2 large eggs in a small bowl. Then, wipe the top of each pretzel with the wash and sprinkle them with coarse sea salt.
• Place pretzels in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and enjoy!