Amish Soft Pretzels Recipes

Steps:

• For the pretzels: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Add the honey and yeast to the warm water in a small bowl and mix to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
• Add the bread flour, wheat germ, if using, baking powder, table salt and 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour to a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment and combine.
• Add the yeast mixture and the melted butter and mix for 1 to 2 minutes. If the dough is very sticky, add some of the remaining flour. Mix on low speed to knead the dough until it becomes stretchy and slightly sticky, about 5 minutes.
• Spray the dough with cooking spray and roll it around to oil the bowl, then cover with a towel or plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, then spray the paper with cooking spray.
• For the soaking solution: Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water in a large bowl or cake pan.
• Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and divide into 10 equal portions.
• Roll each portion into an 18-inch rope and shape into a pretzel.
• Dip each pretzel in the soaking solution, turning so each side is submerged, then allow to drip off for a few seconds. Arrange the pretzels on the prepared sheet pans about 1 inch apart.
• To finish: Beat the egg together with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Brush the pretzels with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake until deep golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Brush the freshly baked pretzels with the melted butter.

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast into warm water.
• Add sugar, then flour& mix well- do not 'knead' as this toughens the dough.
• (Mix just until combined well) Let rise until doubled, at least 20 minutes.
• Cut into long 'ropes'.
• Shape into pretzel shapes, then dip into prepared dipping solution.
• Place on well-greased cookie sheet and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
• Bake at 500-550°F for 4-6 minutes until golden brown.
• Dip face of pretzel into melted butter.
• Variation: add 1 t vanilla to the dough.
• Flavor variations.
• Cinnamon/sugar- omit salt& dip into cinnamon sugar after face has been coated with butter.
• Sour cream& onion- after dipping face of pretzel in butter, sprinkle with sour cream& onion powder Garlic- same as sour cream& onion, but use garlic powder.
• Sesame or poppy seed--BEFORE baking, AFTER dipping into dipping solution, dip pretzel face-down into the seeds, then bake.
• Salt is optional with this one.