In an effort to keep my grocery budget in check, I have been buying fewer snacks, and making more of my own stuff and freezing things. I don't actually love to bake a ton (except in the Fall, something comes over me come October and I love to bake), but it's something I am willing to do if it will help save a little money. I have baked and frozen cookies, muffins, pumpkin bread, and these soft pretzels. Lest you think I only feed my kids carbs, I also stock up on fruit and stuff like string cheese. But, buying crackers and granola bars, etc. really runs up my grocery bill. A friend of mine gave me this recipe. It's really easy and the kids love it. They are definitely best fresh from the oven, but I make a huge batch and freeze them, and then pull out and thaw a few at a time for afternoon snacks. I plan on sticking one in Paige's lunch here and there too. I don't get too particular about getting them perfect looking, I actually just tie them in a knot and throw them on the pan. You can do any shape you want.
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp. yeast
Combine and let rest 5 minutes. Then add the following ingredients to the yeast. Mix with a dough hook or wooden spoon until dough forms a ball.
5 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup powdered milk
1 1/2 tsp. salt
Remove dough and cut into 12-15 small pieces. Roll each piece into a snake about 18" long and twist into a pretzel shape, or make your own shapes, but not too thick or they won't cook in the center.
Dip uncooked pretzels into a bath of:
4 cups water
1/4 cup baking soda ** This is a lot, you could also just half this part of the recipe.
Place on a greased cookie sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake at 425 degrees until brown (approx. 10 minutes). Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.
