Pretzel Bread Loaves
Here is my version of pretzel bread loaves!
What you need:
~1 packet of yeast (7 grams)
~1 Cup warm water
~2 Tbsp milk
~1 Tbsp brown sugar
~1 1/4 tsp Salt
~2 1/2-3 Cups flour (use bread flour! Makes a difference)
~4 1/2 Quarts water in a large pot for boiling
~1/2 Cup plus 1 Tbsp baking soda
~Melted butter for brushing the loaves with
~Coarse grain salt for the top
Let's get to work:
1)Mix the first 4 ingredients in a bowl and stir until yeast is dissolved and let sit about 10-12 minutes until yeast looks foamy. That will tell you your yeast it active.
2) Stir in salt and about 2 cups of flour and add more as needed, but not more than 3 cups. I found mine worked with 2 1/2 cups. Depends on the weather really... I know it sounds strange, but it does. On hot humid days you will need more flour and on cooler days, less. Don't ask me why, it's just been always my experience.
3)Once combined, flour your hands and knead slightly to form a nice round ball...
4)Place in a well oiled bowl turning to coat and place in a warm oven and leave to rise for 45 minutes until doubled in bulk. (Turn the oven on and then turn it off after 3 minutes so you have your warm place for the bread to rise nicely). Picture of bread rising in oven and at this point it's done.
5)Punch down the bread and let rest 2 minutes.
6)Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until bread is very smooth and elastic. Form another ball and put more oil in your bowl, add the ball and put back in the oven for another hour. Here's a picture of the dough the way it should be after kneading it before placing back in the oiled bowl...
7)About 10 minutes before the bread is done with the second rising, put the water in your pot and wait for it to boil before adding the baking soda. When you add the baking soda to the boiling water, do so slowly as it bubbles and fizzes.
8)Form 2 balls with the dough and place each ball one at a time in the boiling water with a slotted large flat looking ladle for 30 seconds, no longer, remove with same slotted spoon and shake to drain and place on oiled baking pan. Do the same with the other ball. Place them about 5" apart as they will get larger when baking. Brush with melted butter generously and sprinkle with coarse salt, as much or as little as you like. Then take a knife to form a small "X" on the top of the dough to allow the dough to rise without cracking too much elsewhere. You can also make 1 very large loaf instead of 2 little, OR you can make them into little rolls.
9)Bake at 400 degrees for about 30-35 minutes turning the pan 2 times throughout the baking.
10)Remove pan and let cool for about 10 minutes on the pan then remove with a spatula and enjoy!! Our daughter couldn't get enough of this bread!!! It's so crispy just like a pretzel on the outside and tender on the inside! FANTASTIC dipped in mustard. You can put butter in the dough batter, but I choose not too keeping calories low as bread is high calorie enough! It sure doesn't taste lower calorie...
What you need:
~1 packet of yeast (7 grams)
~1 Cup warm water
~2 Tbsp milk
~1 Tbsp brown sugar
~1 1/4 tsp Salt
~2 1/2-3 Cups flour (use bread flour! Makes a difference)
~4 1/2 Quarts water in a large pot for boiling
~1/2 Cup plus 1 Tbsp baking soda
~Melted butter for brushing the loaves with
~Coarse grain salt for the top
Let's get to work:
1)Mix the first 4 ingredients in a bowl and stir until yeast is dissolved and let sit about 10-12 minutes until yeast looks foamy. That will tell you your yeast it active.
2) Stir in salt and about 2 cups of flour and add more as needed, but not more than 3 cups. I found mine worked with 2 1/2 cups. Depends on the weather really... I know it sounds strange, but it does. On hot humid days you will need more flour and on cooler days, less. Don't ask me why, it's just been always my experience.
3)Once combined, flour your hands and knead slightly to form a nice round ball...
4)Place in a well oiled bowl turning to coat and place in a warm oven and leave to rise for 45 minutes until doubled in bulk. (Turn the oven on and then turn it off after 3 minutes so you have your warm place for the bread to rise nicely). Picture of bread rising in oven and at this point it's done.
6)Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until bread is very smooth and elastic. Form another ball and put more oil in your bowl, add the ball and put back in the oven for another hour. Here's a picture of the dough the way it should be after kneading it before placing back in the oiled bowl...
8)Form 2 balls with the dough and place each ball one at a time in the boiling water with a slotted large flat looking ladle for 30 seconds, no longer, remove with same slotted spoon and shake to drain and place on oiled baking pan. Do the same with the other ball. Place them about 5" apart as they will get larger when baking. Brush with melted butter generously and sprinkle with coarse salt, as much or as little as you like. Then take a knife to form a small "X" on the top of the dough to allow the dough to rise without cracking too much elsewhere. You can also make 1 very large loaf instead of 2 little, OR you can make them into little rolls.
9)Bake at 400 degrees for about 30-35 minutes turning the pan 2 times throughout the baking.
10)Remove pan and let cool for about 10 minutes on the pan then remove with a spatula and enjoy!! Our daughter couldn't get enough of this bread!!! It's so crispy just like a pretzel on the outside and tender on the inside! FANTASTIC dipped in mustard. You can put butter in the dough batter, but I choose not too keeping calories low as bread is high calorie enough! It sure doesn't taste lower calorie...
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