Soft Pretzels - Like Auntie Anne's

Submitted by Hungarian Gypsy

"A soft, buttered pretzel justlike the kind you find at fairs and in the mall. You can customize by adding poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic salt, cinnamon sugar and even icing for a new dessert."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 40mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 12 pretzels
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 3 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package dry active yeast
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon Crisco
• 6 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

directions

1. Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast in medium bowl. Blend well.
2. Heat 1 cup water and Crisco in small saucepan to 100 - 110 degrees.
3. Add liquid to flour mixture and blend at low speed until moistened.
4. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed.
5. Stir in by hand an additional 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 cups of flour or until dough pulls cleanly away from sides of bowl.
6. Knead in 1/2 - 3/4 cup flour, on a floured surface, until dough is smooth and elastic.
7. Put dough in greased bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap and a cloth towel.
8. Let rise in a warm (80-85 degrees) until light and doubled in size. About 45 minutes.
9. Spray 2 cookie sheets with no-stick spray.
10. Punch dough down and seperate into 12 pieces.
11. Roll each piece into a 16-inch rope.
12. Form into pretzel shape.
13. Place on greased cookie sheets and cover.
14. Let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.
15. Adjust oven rack to top position.
16. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
17. Combine 6 cups water and baking soda in a shallow saucepan and bring to a boil.
18. Slowly drop pretzels into water, one at a time, cooking 15 seconds on each side.
19. Remove from water with a slotted spoon and return to greased cookie sheet.
20. Sprinkle with pretzel salt, sesame seeds, etc.
21. Bake for 8 minutes.
22. Brush with melted butter.
23. Bake an additional 2 minutes or until golden brown.
24. Remove from cookie sheet and brush generously with remaining butter.