SOFT EVERYTHING ‘PRETZEL’

Typically, pretzels are placed in a baking soda ‘bath’, before baking, to give them their signature pretzel taste. Here, we avoid that step for a simpler and equally delicious bagel-pretzel hybrid.

Yield: 6-8 pretzels

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

½ cup warm water

½ cup apple juice

3 cups flour

1 ½ tablespoons oil

1 teaspoon salt

Egg, for egg wash

Everything bagel seasoning (poppy seeds, white & black sesame seeds, dried/ minced garlic and onion, sea salt or flaky salt)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400° and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, warm water and apple juice, and stir softly until dissolved. Let proof for about 3-5 minutes.

3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oil, and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until combined. With gloved hands, knead until the dough is smooth.

4. Place in a warm area, cover with a dishtowel, and let rise for about 1 hour.

5. Grease your counter with cooking spray or sprinkle with flour.

6. Divide the dough in 6-8 balls (depending on your preferred size of pretzel).

7. Roll each piece into a long rope and twist into a pretzel shape (make sure there’s space in the holes so they remain in shape). Place on the prepared baking sheet.

8. Brush with egg wash, and generously top with Everything Bagel Seasoning. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Serve warm.