Soft Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

I love pretzels!

So a few weeks ago, I found this recipie, thanks to Stephan Block and his Kitchen Connection Project web site, that is based upon Traditional German cooking.

This was my first attempt at home, and I think with a few more pratice sessions, I'll have a good looking  treats.

I am hoping to perfect these to the point I can do them, on site in a earthen oven at some of our encampments.

It looked fairly simple, and it was.

It seemed like it may just work, and it did!

Just follow the directions.

I chose cinnamon sugar, but you can finish these with anything you like!

3 1/2 cups flour( I used unbleached white for bread baking)

4 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 tablespoon yeast( I used one packet fast rising)

1 cup water( warm not hot)

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup very hot water

1 egg

1 teaspoon water

In mixing bowl combine 1 cup warm water and yeast, allow to get a bit foamy.

In another bowl mix together dry ingredients( flour, brown sugar and salt)

Add dry ingredients to yeast mix and knead with hook till you get a soft firm dough( not sticky....not hard)

lightly grease a bowl, transfer your dough to the bowl, cover and refridgerate over night.

NEXT DAY

bring bowl out of refridgerator and allow to set for a few moments.

prepare a sheet pan by lightly greasing it

Turn your dough onto a lightly greased surface

with pizza cutter, cut strips roll and twist into pretzel shapes( use a lucky horse shoe shape..U...)

preheat your oven...the recipie called for 450...I think I was at about 400)

place on sheet pan and allow to rise for about 45 minutes

prepare you baking soda and hot water solution in a glass or metal bowl by briskly wisking it together in the bowl( which should be large enough to completely dip the pretzel in.)

dip the pretzel and holding it by the tops, drop it briefly onto a towel , then transfer it back to the sheet pan( shape it up so it pretty!)

beat together your one egg and 1 teaspoon water, and brush the pretzels with the mixture...

bake

the recipie called for 12 to 15 minutes....but I would watch them for browning and judge it by that....

MELT a half a stick of butter in a container, again large enough to  dip the front of the pretzels in right out ot the oven, put them back on the sheet pan(again...) and sprinkle them with whatever you choose....

bon appetit'