Cook: Pretzel

Our homemade pretzel

I have always loved Auntie Anne's Pretzel and one afternoon, I decided to make some pretzel for afternoon tea. Look how cute my boy modelling our homemade pretzel.

I am quite happy with this recipe and planning to make different variety next time with parmesan cheese or sesame seed. For this round, I only use sea salt as that is the only topping I have at home.

INGREDIENTS (makes 16 pretzels):

1. 350g white bread flour ( I only have wheat bread flour so I use those instead so my dough is brownish in colour as seen)

2. 150g plain flour

3. 1 teaspoon salt

4. 2 tablespoon of caster sugar

5. 2 teaspoon of dried yeast

6. 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil

For glazing:

1. 1/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda

2. Coarse sea salt/parmesan cheese/sesame seed

3. 1 egg, beaten

METHODS:

1. Sprinkle yeast over 300ml of warm water. Stir, and leave it for 5 minutes. Then add oil into the mixture.

2. Place the bread flour, plain flour, salt and sugar into a large mixing bowl.

3. Gradually pour the liquid mixture into the flour mixture, mixing them to form a soft dough.

4. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it is soft and smooth. Then transfer to an oiled bowl. 

5. Cover the bowl loosely with cling wrap and leave it in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it is doubled.

6. Then, place the dough onto a lightly floured table, then gently knock the flour back and cut the dough into 16 pieces. 

7. Take each piece and roll them into log shape around 45cm long.

8. Take each end and cross them over, then twist the end and secure the ends to the sides.

9. Place the pretzel on baking sheets and cover with cling wrap and tea towel. Leave them for 30 minutes. 

10. Preheat oven to 200 degree Celcius. 

11. Meanwhile, mix the bicarbonate soda in 2 teaspoon of boiling water. 

12. Brush the pretzel with the bicarbonate soda mixture. This will gives pretzel dark colour and chewy exterior.

13. Add the toppings (sea salt/sesame seed/parmesan cheese). 

We added sea salt

14. Place the pretzel into oven and bake for 15 minutes. 

15. Remove them from oven and brush with eggs. Then bake for another 5 minutes.

And it is done! Let it cool down and enjoy!

Enjoying it with a cup of mint tea.