Homemade Hard Pretzels
- 1 3/4 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
- 1 large whole egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Vegetable oil, for pan
- Water
- Pretzel salt
- Combine the warm water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top.
- Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.
- Add the flour and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined.
- Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil.
- Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line 4 half sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil.
- Set aside.
- Place enough water into a large roasting pan to come 1/3 of the way up the sides of the pan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 1-ounce portions, approximately 36 pieces.
- Roll out each piece of dough into a 14 to15-inch long stick and place on the sheet pans, 1/4-inch apart.
- Cover the dough not being used with a slightly damp towel to help prevent drying out.
- Gently place 6 to 8 pretzels at a time into the water for 30 seconds.
- Remove the pretzels back to the sheet pan, brush with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt.
- Bake until golden brown in color and hard, approximately 55 to 60 minutes.
- Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 20 minutes before serving.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
warm, sugar, kosher salt, active dry yeast, flour, egg yolk, vegetable oil, water, salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-hard-pretzels-recipe.html (may not work)