When I was growing up a winter snow storm always meant that it was time to bake bread. Grammie Flava's mother started this tradition and my brother and I always looked forward to the activity when we had a snow day. Here in Maryland snow never really seems to accumulate but a light dusting (or a threat of ice) is cause for school to be closed. So, yesterday, when that exact scenario occurred, I figured it was time to bake. Unfortunately, the day got away from us and by 4pm we hadn't started any bread so I decided to make a yeasty treat that was as fast as a batch of cookies -- soft pretzels. This is a recipe that is incredibly simple and a fun treat for everyone (and much healthier that Auntie Anns). Homemade pretzels are also a great food to bring to a party that will have a lot of kids!Soft Pretzels
1 packet of yeast
1 1/2 cup of warm water
1 T sugar
2 tsp salt
2 cups regular white flour
2 cups white whole wheat flour (this is a great product for baking, it is much milder than regular whole wheat flour but it is still packed will all the same fiber and nutrition)
Toppings
1 egg
sugar and cinnamon
salt, poppy seeds, and garlic powder
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the yeast water and sugar. Add the white flour, salt, and whole wheat flour and mix until just combined. Dump dough out onto a floured surface and knead until soft. Cut the dough into golf ball sized pieces, roll into rope and twist into pretzel shape. Place pretzels on a cookie sheet, brush with a beaten egg and sprinkle with your favorite toppings. Bake for 10-12 minutes until done. The pretzels are best fresh!
1 comment:
Way to go MF. Family traditions are wonderful!!
This is a great activity for a child's birthday party. The pretzel shape is fun...but you can also do initials, animals and all sorts of shapes. It's a nice "take home" for the child along with a small binder with a copy of the recipe to start their very own book of recipes. For older children decorating the binder can be a project on it's own!
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