Pretzels From Scratch

I made pretzels from scratch the other day. I am so impressed with myself. Maybe I'll try bagels next :-)

Pretzels
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Recipe By: The Complete Guide to Bread Machine Baking

Ingredients:

1 cup milk
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cooking oil
3 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon water
kosher salt, for sprinkling

Directions:

Add the first 7 ingredients to your bread machine according to manufacturer's directions. Select the dough cycle. When cycle is complete, remove dough from machine.. Punch down. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

(To make by hand: Mix dough. Knead 10 minutes, let rise about an hour. Punch down and let rest 10 minutes and proceed with the following instructions.)

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12X8 inch rectangle. Cut into 16 12X1/2 inch strips. Gently pull the strips into 16 inch long ropes. Shape each pretzel by crossing one end over the other to form a circle, overlapping about 4 inches from each end. Take one end dough in each hand and twist once at the point where the dough overlaps. Carefully lift each end and across to the edge of the circle opposite it. Tuck ends under edges to make a pretzel shape; moisten ends and press to seal. Place on 2 greased large baking sheets.

Bake in a 475 degree oven for 4 minutes. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, in a large pot bring 8 cups water and 2 Tablespoons salt to boiling. Add pretzels 3 or 4 at a time, and boil gently for 2 minutes, turning once. Using a slotted spoon, remove pretzels from water and drain on paper towels. Let stand a few seconds. Place pretzels about 1/2 inch apart on 2 well greased large baking sheets.

In small bowl combine egg white and 1 tablespoon water; brush over pretzels. Sprinkle with kosher salt. BAke in the 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. remove from baking sheets; cool on wire racks.

For more Recipes visit my recipe site: Deana's Recipes