Mom’s Soft Pretzels
Source: Marie Buccolo
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 5 cups all-purpose flour (you may substitute up to 2.5 cups whole grain flour, if desired)
- 1/4 cup egg white
- 1/4 cup large grained salt
Directions:
- Pour water in large mixing bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top of water and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Gently mix in remaining ingredients except egg white and Kosher salt until a thick dough is formed. Slight additions of flour or milk may be necessary in order to come to the right consistency.
- Form dough into a ball and set in mixing bowl. Set mixing bowl in a warm location covered by a towel.
- Allow dough to rise until doubled in size (approximately 2 hours).
- Coat hands and work surface in four and roll out dough in sections 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut dough into strips and form into shapes. Shapes can include traditional pretzels, braids, and letters.
- Place shaped dough on cookie sheet.
- Brush shapes with egg white followed by a sprinkle of the large grained salt.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 – 12 minutes or until lightly golden brown on top.
- Serve warm. Particularly good with honey and butter, mustard, or cream cheese on the side.