big soft pretzels, like you're at the mall.

Lou and Bee would go to the mall everyday if I let them. Pretzels. It's all about the big soft mall pretzels. They enjoy the carousel too, but it's mostly about pretzels.

Here's our home version:

Pretzels

Dissolve:

2 ¼ t yeast

1 ½ c warm water

add:

2 T brown sugar

1 1/8 t salt

1 c bread flour

3 c flour

Knead well.

Let rise 1 hour. knead again. Divide and shape 12 large pretzels.

Before placing on baking sheet, dip in bath.

Bath: 2 c warm water and 2 T bkg soda

Rise 20 min. Bake 450° @8 min. Butter and salt (kosher) tops if desired. Bee rolled all of these.

I shared this recipe once before, but not in pretzel form. Bee is a great pretzel maker and she was happy to demonstrate. She plans to get a job at the pretzel place at the mall. She can tell them she has years of experience.

Edited to add:  I have since discovered a secret for making them look great, at least 96% of the time. Full 'secret' post here.  


So the secret to pretty pretzels is adding an extra rise. After the dough rises and you divide it into 12 balls. Form balls into pretzels and (Here's the change:) rise again for 30 minutes. Then when you dip it in the bath water, they stretch out even more. Use both hands and use your fingers to spread them more. Then bake as directed.