Amish Soft Pretzel Recipe Request

I just came back from the amish farmers market after eating one of thier pretzels.  I would love the recipe too.  I was saying that as I was munching actually :)

April 

I don't have the exact recipe, but since this obviously lacked in replies, you might want to try Alton Brown's recipe for a start, and improve from there.

try youtube under "alton brown pretzel".

I have four different recipes from an Amish school cookbook.  This one is seems the easiest.

1 1/4 c. warm water                                                                               1/2 c. water

1 Tbsp. yeast                                                                                            2 Tbsp. soda dissolved in 1 cup water

1/4 c. brown sugar                                                                                  salt

4 c. flour                                                                                                  butter

Mix water, yeast, and sugar.  Add flour. Let rise for 20 minutes.  Shape into pretzels or sticks.  Dip in soda dissolved in water. Sprinkle with salt and bake at 350.  Brush with butter when done.

I don't remember where I got this from so I can't give proper credit but here is a recipe for Amish Soft Pretzels you can try.

AMISH SOFT PRETZELS

Yield: 5 large pretzels

 Preheat Oven: 450 degrees F.

 INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup warm water (approximately 105-110 degrees)
• 1/2 tablespoon yeast
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup occident flour (bread flour) (add more if needed)
• 1/4 cup unsalted melted butter for dipping pretzels in after baking

 EGG WASH

• 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water

 DIPPING SOLUTION (use large saucepan):

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 2 1/2 cups hot water

 DIRECTIONS

 Line baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly brush with vegetable oil.

1. In a KitchenAid mixing bowl with dough hook attachment, mix warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let rest for 5 minutes.
2. While yeast is growing, prepare egg wash and baking pan. Set aside.
3. Add flour and mix well until dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and it retains a ball shape.
4. Let rise in warm place until doubled, at least 20-30 minutes.
5. On slightly oiled, clean work surface, divide dough and shape into long ‘ropes’ and shape into pretzels or other shape.
6. Prepare dipping solution in large saucepan and turn stove to medium to keep solution hot. Put shaped dough into prepared dipping solution for 20-30 seconds.
7. Remove with a flat turner spatula and place on prepared cookie sheet. Re-shape if necessary.
8. Brush with egg wash & sprinkle with pretzel or sea salt (salt is optional).
9. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, over low heat, melt ¼ cup butter in small saucepan. Do not allow to boil or brown.
10. Dip face of pretzel into melted butter. Sprinkle with coarse salt or cinnamon sugar.

Paul M

Here are the other 3 recipes which are very similar to the one I already posted.  Now you just have to try them all to see which one is best and report back so the rest of us will know which ones to make. 

I think the big difference is using the melted butter instead of an egg wash.  Of course, it could be the Amish butter.  I hope one of these works for you. 

Soft Pretzels #1

2  Tbsp. yeast                                                     1 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 c. warm water                                          1/2 c. warm water

1/2 tsp. salt                                                         1 tsp. soda

4 c. bread flour                                                   pretzel salt

Dissolve yeast in 1 1/2 c. warm water.  Add 1/2 tsp. salt, bread flour, and sugar.  Let rise until double in size. Knead. 

To form pretzels:  Use 1/4 c. dough.  Make balls.  Set around to dry just a little, then start rolling on table with both hands until each is the length of a yardstick.  Shape like a pretzel and dip in soda mixed with 1/2 c. warm water.  Sprinkle with pretzel salt and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 500 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Serve with dips of your choice.

Soft Pretzels #2

1 1/2 c. water                                                                2 Tbsp. yeast

1/3 c. brown sugar                                                        2 Tbsp. baking soda

4 c. flour                                                                         1 c. water

1/4 tsp.  salt                                                                    melted butter

Mix 1 1/2 c. water, brown sugar, flour, salt, and yeast like bread dough.  Let rise until double in bulk.  Shape.  Dip into soda dissolved in 1 c. water.  Sprinkle with salt.  Let rise a little.  Bake at 450 degree.  Dip into melted butter.

Soft Pretzels #3

4 tsp. yeast                                                                         approx. 4 1/2 c. Thesco flour

1/2 tsp. salt                                                                         2 tsp. soda

2 Tbsp. brown sugar                                                          1 cup warm water

1/2 c. warm water                                                             coarse salt

1 Tbsp. oil                                                                           melted butter

Mix yeast, salt, brown sugar, 1 1/2 c. warm water, oil and flour.  Knead like you would bread dough.  Let rise until double and then roll into pretzel any size you wish.  Dip pretzels into a mixture of soda and 1 c. warm water.  Sprinkle with coarse salt.  Let rise a little.  Then bake in a very hot oven at 500 degrees just until they are brown, approx. 10 min.  When you get them out of the oven, brush or dip with melted butter.  Sprinkle with cheese or sour cream and onion powder or whatever you choose.