The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

National Pretzel Day

Emelye's picture
Emelye

National Pretzel Day

In honor of National Pretzel Day in the US (yesterday):

Comments

dvuong's picture
dvuong

Those are beautiful Emelye!  Great job!

Postal Grunt's picture
Postal Grunt

I like both the pretzels and the Yuengling included in the photo. That's a great pair!

mrfrost's picture
mrfrost

Baking soda or lye?

Emelye's picture
Emelye

I use a solution of 2/3 cup baking soda in 10 cups of water.  The proportion isn't so critical as to require weighing it.  I brought it to a boil (put the soda in the water while it's cold!  I didn't one time and the resulting volcano-like overflow destroyed my electric cooktop!), turn it down to a strong simmer and boil them for 30 seconds per side AFTER they rise to the top.

I've used kosher as well as large grain sea salt.  The batch I've pictured is with kosher salt, if I remember correctly.

Yuengling is a really nice brand that I like for cooking as well as drinking now and then.  Any good lager is perfect with these pretzels.  I got the formula from an internet site and I neglected to record which one so if I'm breaking anyone's copyright, please let me know and I'll remove it.

Sourdough Pretzels

Flour           25 oz 709 g 100%

Starter       10.5 oz 298 g 42%

Hot water     8 oz 227g 32%

Butter           1 oz 28 g 4%

Sugar            1.25 oz 35 g 5%

Salt               0.4 oz 11 g 2%

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups 100% hydration sourdough starter
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 5-1/2 cups all purpose flour or 2¼ cups AP + 2¼ cups bread flour

 

For boiling the pretzels:

  • 10 cups water
  • 2/3 cup baking soda
  • coarse salt

 

1. Let all ingredients and utensils come to room temperature

 2. Add the butter, sugar and salt to the cup of hot water. Stir to dissolve and allow to cool until lukewarm.

 3. Put the starter into a warm bowl. Add the lukewarm water mixture and mix.

 4. Add 4 cups of flour, ½ cup at a time, stirring after each addition.

 5. Turn out onto a floured board and knead in approximately 1½ cups more of the flour. The dough should be very stiff.

 6. Place the dough in a oiled bowl and cover.  Allow to proof for 2 hours.

 7. On a board which has been scraped clean of flour break of pieces of the dough about the size of a large egg (2 to 3 oz). Roll each piece out with the palm of your hands until it is about 18 -24 inches long and about ½ inch in diameter.  (Do in 2 stages with 8-10 min in between for the dough to relax.) Twist into the shape of a pretzel.

 8. Combine 2/3 cup baking soda into10 cups of water and bring to a strong simmer. Drop as many pretzels as will fit without touching into the water and cook about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side after they have risen to the top. (Or longer, if you like a chewier pretzel.)

 9. Remove to a wire rack and sprinkle with coarse salt.  Give them a few minutes to dry somewhat.  Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment and sprayed with cooking oil, 6 to 8 per sheet.

 10. Bake in a preheated 425*F oven for 15 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and cool on wire racks.

Emelye's picture
Emelye

I get fifteen 3oz (before baking) pretzels.