Softpuffypretzelsticks Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir the brown sugar into 2 cups of warm water until dissolved.
• Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the vegetable oil and 3 cups of the flour. Knead in the remaining 2 3/4 cups flour; dough will be slightly sticky.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead until silky, about 3 minutes. If the dough is very sticky, knead in up to 1/4 cup more flour.
• Transfer dough to a large oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Heat oven to 450*F. Line 3 large cookie sheets with parchment paper; butter the paper.
• Punch dough down and turn out onto a floured surface.
• Knead dough lightly, flatten it out, and cut into 24 pieces.
• Roll each piece into a 9" stick about 1/2" thick.
• Transfer sticks to the cookie sheets, spacing them 2" apart. Let stand, uncovered, until puffed, about 25 minutes.
• In a large, deep skillet, stir the baking soda into 2 qts. water and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to medium.
• Using 2 slotted spoons, carefully transfer 6 pretzel sticks at a time into the simmering water for 30 seconds, turning once.
• Add about 1 cup of hot water to the soda mixture before cooking each batch of pretzels.
• Drain pretzels on paper towels, then return them to the cookie sheets.
• Brush pretzels with the egg wash and sprinkle with salt. Bake until richly browned, about 10 minutes. Serve warm.
• The baked pretzels can be stored overnight in an airtight plastic storage bag. Reheat before serving.

Steps:

• Make the pretzels: Warm the milk in a saucepan until it's about 110 degrees; pour into a medium bowl and sprinkle in the yeast. Let the yeast soften, about 2 minutes; stir in the brown sugar and 1 cup flour with a wooden spoon. Dice 2 tablespoons butter and soften; stir into the mix. Add the remaining 1 1/4 cups flour and the fine salt to make a sticky dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead, adding more flour if needed, until smooth but still slightly tacky, about 5 minutes. Shape into a ball, place in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and grease a large baking sheet. Punch the dough to deflate it, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. (If the dough seems tight, cover and let rest until it relaxes.) Divide the dough into 6 pieces. Roll and stretch each piece with the palms of your hands into a 30-inch rope, holding the ends and slapping the middle of the rope on the counter as you stretch. Form each rope into a pretzel shape.
• Dissolve the baking soda in 3 cups warm water in a shallow baking dish. Gently dip each pretzel in the soda solution, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with the coarse salt. Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Prepare the sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, brown sugar and vinegar in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
• Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a shallow dish. Dip the hot pretzels in the butter, turning to coat; place on a wire rack to let excess butter drip off. Serve the pretzels warm with the sweet mustard sauce.
• Illustration by Jason Lee

Steps:

• Bring 8 cups water, 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons kosher salt to a boil in a pot. Cut 1 pound pizza dough into 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a 2-foot-long rope and pick up the ends to form a U shape; cross one end over the other twice to make a double twist in the middle; attach the ends to the bottom of the U, using water to adhere. Working in batches, use a slotted spoon to lower the pretzels into the boiling water. Cook, flipping once, until slightly puffed, 30 seconds per side. Transfer to an oiled baking sheet; brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Bake at 350 degrees F until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Steps:

• Place 1 1/2 cups water, butter, brown sugar, yeast, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Mix until well combined. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
• Turn mixer on low speed and add 4 cups flour, 1 cup at a time. Add additional 1/2 cup flour if dough appears sticky. Increase speed to medium and knead until dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 4 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle in more flour if dough still seems a little tacky.
• Oil a large mixing bowl. Add the ball of dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a sheet pan with cooking spray.
• Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large saucepan. Slowly add baking soda and return to a boil.
• Meanwhile, remove dough from the bowl, flatten into a disc shape, and cut into 8 wedges. Roll each wedge into a 24-inch rope. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces.
• Drop batches of dough pieces into the boiling water for about 35 seconds. Remove to the prepared sheet pan. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water; brush over the tops of each boiled dough piece. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.