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Monday, March 10, 2008

Marinda's Soft Baked Pretzels

1 package (.25 oz.) Active dry yeast (= 1 TBSP)

2 TBSP brown sugar

1 1/8 tsp. Salt

1 ½ cup warm water

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup bread flour

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2 cups warm water

2 TBSP baking soda

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2 TBSP butter, melted

1-2 TBSP coarse kosher salt or cinnamon sugar

In a large mixing bowl, add yeast, brown sugar and salt. Test water temperature with thermometer. When it reads 110 degrees, add to bowl. Stir to dissolve. Add both types of flour and stir well.

Place dough on floured surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. ** (To knead dough, press down on dough with your palm, fold the dough over and rotate 1/4 turn, repeat until dough is ready.) Grease a large bowl. Place dough in bowl then turn dough upside down to coat the surface. Cover with a towel and let rise for one hour in a warm spot.

Combine 2 cups warm water (test again for 110 degrees) and baking soda in an 8-inch square pan. After the dough has risen, divide it into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 1.5 foot rope, ½ inch wide. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place on cookie sheets with parchment paper and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.

Bake at 450 F for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and then sprinkle with coarse salt or cinnamon sugar.

**Marinda’s note — although I haven’t timed it, in the Kitchen-Aide it might be about 3 minutes that I knead the dough. Also I use some whole wheat flour for the all-purpose flour.

**Kristi's note - the first time I made these I burned my motor on my kitchen aid and now do it by hand.

Annie Kate has the best, I mean the best A'days leaders. They have been teaching the girls a recipe each month that they can make at home and then at the end of the year are putting it in a cookbook for them. One of the mom's of the girls comes in to teach their favorite recipe. This has so boosted AK's confidence by having something that she feels like she can make. The morning of her birthday she made her own crepes! The Pretzel recipe was one of the months. So, if my 9 year old can make this anyone can. We have had a few kids over from school each week to make these with us and double it so that they can take some home. When one of AK's friends came over one day she said, "everything in your home feels old fashioned - you make your own food and you are playing songs about Jesus" That could have been the best compliment I have ever been given. If that is Old Fashioned, I will take that any day of the week.


22 comments:

Shauna said...

Great idea to teach a new recipe for so many reasons.Girls need their confidence built at every turn. There are very few places or people building them up in a genuine manner.
Being "Old Fashioned" is the best compliment ever. You go!

kara jayne said...

Thanks so much Kristi. Your right about great activity day leaders. These are the things the girls REALLY need.

Anonymous said...

Way to go!!! My love for knitting and crocheting was started by my A-Days, although that is not what they were called at the time. I want to try the pretzel and sugar cookies -- they sound great. Keep it up A.K.!!! Great compliment to you on your "old fashioned" house. SEC

Anonymous said...

you are such a good mom, Kristi!

Shawna B. said...

Thanks for the recipe, Kristi! Can't wait to try these pretzels!

I was just browing "Everything Pink" and when I came to your post about what you did for your visiting teaching sister witht the birthday, I got chills. Oh Kristi, that is SO thoughtful. I agree with you, your ideas are a gift - your special God-given talent - and you most definitely do use them to bless others' lives. You inspire me!

Holly said...

I love that AK is learning to make many recipes and practice *kitchen* skills. What a sweet comment by her friend about your *old-fashioned* home. You're right about that being a major compliment!!

Those pretzels look dangerous--at least to my jeans--but I bet they are WONDERFUL.

Jill said...

That last comment is so cute, "you make your own food and play songs about Jesus" that's wonderful!

I really need to get over my fear of using yeast and I need to buy a cooking thermometer.

The Activity Day leaders sound wonderful, I love that they're empowering the girls to cook!

mimi said...

It is wonderful that that child recognized the feel of an "old fashioned" home when she saw one. I'm happy that Annie is learning so many homemaking skills, and sharing good times with her Mom. She'll never forget you for these times.

Mrs. McDaniel said...

I wished our activity days leaders would get it together! I'm going to print this recipe & make it with my kids when they get back from their grandparents!

Thanks so much for sharing.

Jinii said...

I am definately going to try these. I love recipes that are fool proof!

michelle said...

Yay! Those pretzels look so good, and if AK can make them, then I know I'll have to try! I've been sad since Costco stopped selling their pretzels, now I can make my own.

You make your own food and play songs about Jesus -- sounds like the best compliment you could get!

Charity said...

I'm trying these on bread making day...normally Monday, but because of spring break it's not going to happen until Thursday this week...I'll let you know how they turn out..

Thanks for the recipe!

denise @ little ant design said...

What a sweet compliment...too bad more of our homes can't be "old fashioned" Thanks for sharing the recipe. I can't wait to try it, although I admit I am a bit nervous.

Anonymous said...

oh yum! that is great. and i love the idea of sharing recipes.

-carlo

ps- thanks for your adorable card today.

Deborah said...

We tried the pretzels and loved them. Thanks for sharing.

Amanda :-) said...

'You make your own food' - that is CLASSIC. I'd be thrilled with that little girl's observations too. I hope she went home and enthused about it to her own family.

Keep filling me with these ideas. The recipe thing is so brilliant. We're approaching a Junior Church leaders crisis during this summer. A lot of our leaders will be leaving to go to college, and our main 5-star leader is leaving to study for ordination!! Panic!! So I'd love to go to the JC organisers with an offer of help and some new, fresh ideas like this. Thanks, Kristi!

Rachel said...

Love the OLD FASHION comment! Sounds rather ideal to me!

I'm excited to try this recipe! My boys and I made pretzels for the first time yesterday (a Marth recipe) and I look forward to trying it again! :)

Mamarazzi said...

Jordan was just asking about a fun baking project for her a Personal Progress goal...THIS will be perfect! i will let you know how they turn out!

Staci said...

Those look so good. I guess I'll have to try them out.

Missy said...

These look great! I love pretzels. Thanks for the recipe!

Liz said...

WHat a great idea for Activity Days! I would love to have that calling! Oh the things I would do! But, alas, I teach the 8 year olds instead. It is fun though too!

Anyway, I just love the comment from AK's friend. What a compliment indeed!

Barb said...

Kristi, I got a *second* thank you card from you for your birthday present - should I send you another gift? Kidding. . .
Listen, I thought after I bought you that book that it really wasn't a good present for you, I know you dont' love love love books. Just the first chapter of The Prophet really articulates the feelings of leaving a mission or a calling and I thought of you leaving your family mission. Anyway, I loved the bonus thank you card, especially the embossed thank you on the back of the envelope. Nice touch!