Did you guys know that April 26 is National Pretzel Day?! Well, if you weren’t caught up on your food holidays (National Taco Day, anyone?), we’ve got you covered with a fun twist on America’s favorite: the pretzel. And if you thought that there was nothing that could compare to a DIY pretzel bar, think again, because you’ll be twisted for these letter-shaped pretzels. Celebrate National Pretzel Day this year by saying it with pretzels!
Ingredients:
— 1 1/2 cups warm water
— 1 Tablespoon sugar
— 2 teaspoons salt
— 4 1/2 cups flour
— 1 packet of dry yeast
— 1/4 cup butter, melted
— 10 cups water
— vegetable oil
— 2/3 cup baking soda
— 1 egg yolk
— pretzel salt for dusting
Tools:
— baking sheet
— alphabet cookie cutters
— saucepan or pot
— slotted spatula
Instructions:
1. Pour the warm water, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the packet of yeast over the water and let sit for five minutes.
2. Add in the flour and butter, and mix until a smooth dough forms.
3. Oil the inside of another bowl with the vegetable oil and place the dough inside. Cover with a towel, place in a warm place and allow to rise for one hour.
4. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your baking sheet with vegetable oil. Place your 10 cups of water and 2/3 cup baking soda in the pot on the stove and bring to a boil.
5. Once the dough has doubled, place it on a floured surface and use your palms or a rolling pin to flatten the dough to about 1/2-inch thick.
6. Using your alphabet cookie cutters, cut out your desired letters and carefully place them on the oiled baking sheet.
7. When the water in the pot has come to a boil, drop in the pretzel dough you just cut out and leave to sit for 30 seconds. Remove from the water with a slotted spatula and place back onto the baking sheet. Continue this with all of the pretzel dough letters.
8. Using an egg yolk mixed with one teaspoon of water, brush the tops of the dough and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
9. Place the pretzels in the oven for 9-10 minutes or until browned. Allow to cool completely before eating. Enjoy!
Make sure the surface you are using to roll out your dough is well floured so that the dough doesn’t stick.
Be careful that you don’t stretch out your shape when transferring it to the baking sheet.
Only use a little bit of egg yolk on top of each pretzel so that it doesn’t burn the tops in the oven.
The cutest pretzels you’ll ever see!
Whoever said not to play with your food hasn’t seen these!
Do you have any fun plans for National Pretzel Day? Share with us on Instagram by using the hashtag #britstagram!
