Beer-Boiled Soft Pretzels
shared by Jennifer
Details:
-
PT1H30M
- Prep Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes PT15M
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes PT1H45M
- Total Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Serves: 4-6 people
- Cuisine: American
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let rest for 10 minutes, don’t stir.Add flour
For The Pretzels
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm water, one minute in microwave should do the trick
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 2 2/3 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted + 8 tablespoons butter, melted, for dipping
- 2 tablespoons course salt
Directions:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let rest for 10 minutes, don’t stir.
- Add flour and 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the yeast mixture, mixing well. When the dough is ready it should pull away from the bowl and retain a ball shape.
- Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth, but still slightly tacky, about 5 minutes. Shape into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
- After dough has risen, preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and brush with vegetable oil.
- Punch dough to deflate, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, approximately 30 inches long; this can be achieved by starting in the middle of each piece and rolling outwards with the palm of your hand.
- When rope is long enough, slap the center on the counter to increase length. Form each into the shape of a pretzel, starting with a U shape, criss-crossing each side, then pulling the legs down over the bottom of the U.
- Allow pretzels to rest for approximately 15-20 minutes before sending them to the beer boil.
To Make The Beer Boil
Ingredients:
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup amber beer, I used Bear Republic Red Rocket
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
Directions:
- In a large pot combine water, beer, baking soda, and brown sugar over medium high heat.
- When mixture has reached a simmer, place pretzel in, one at a time, allowing to cook for 10 seconds, then flipping to the other side for an additional 10 seconds.
- Lift the pretzel from the beer boil, allowing to it to drain and transfer to baking sheet.
Directions:
- After all pretzels have been boiled, brush each with egg wash and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While pretzels are baking, melt remaining 8 tablespoons of butter in a wide, shallow dish.
- Dip the hot pretzels in the butter, turning to coat; place on a wire rack to let excess butter drip off. Sprinkle with coarse salt.