Sunday, May 15, 2016

Pretzel Rolls

Pretzels Rolls

Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups luke warm water
5 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 3/4 - 6 cups of flour (dough should be only slightly sticky)
1/2 cup baking soda
Egg wash (1 egg plus 1 Tbsp cold water, beaten)
Coarse Sea Salt

Optional:  Dessert Option - Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels - also need 1 cup sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1.  In a large mixing bowl mix sugar and water.  Add the yeast and stir to combine.  Let sit about 5 minutes.

2.  Add flour and oil and mix until a ball forms.  Knead for 3-5 minutes on a lightly floured surface.  Grease a medium bowl with cooking spray.  Place dough in greased bowl and cover with a clean dishtowel or saran wrap.  Place bowl in a warm place for 45 minutes to rise (I put mine on the stove top especially when the oven is on, a sunny windowsill also works well).

3.  Cut dough into approximately 50 rolls and shape into balls.  Line 3 baking sheets with parchment and grease the parchment with butter.  Place the balls evenly on the baking sheets leaving room to rise again.  Let rise about 30 minutes in a warm spot covered with clean dish towels.  While the dough is rising again, Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

4.  Fill a large deep skillet (at least 3 inches deep) or a large pot with water about 2 1/2 inches deep and add the baking soda.  Bring to a boil.  Drop manageable number of balls into the water and turn after 15 seconds.  Do not leave in the water longer than 20-30 seconds total or dough will get a baking soda taste.  Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheets evenly.

5.  Bake pretzels buns at 450 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until medium brown.  Delicious warm with butter or mustard, or as a bun for sliders or a chicken patty.

Dessert Trick:

Well pretzels are baking melt 1 stick of butter.  In a small bowl mix 1 cup sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon.  When the pretzels are baked, let cool 2-5 minutes so warm to touch, but won't burn your fingers.  Drop in melted butter to coat.  Roll in cinnamon sugar.  Amazing Dessert, best served immediately (warm)!

Monday, May 2, 2016

Easy Apple Cake

Ingredients:

2 apples peeled, cored and diced
1/2 stick butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 cup nonfat yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp. Lemon juice

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  While oven is preheating, place butter in 8 inch cake pan to melt in oven (takes about 5 to 10 minutes).  Remove when butter is metled.

2.  Meanwhile, mix all dry ingredients in a medium bowl.  Add apple stir to coat.  Add remaining ingredients, and pour in melted butter.  Mix to combine.  Leave a coating of melted butter in cake pan, this will grease your pan so the cake won't stick.

3.  Pour batter into cake pan.  Bake 1 hour or until golden light brown.  Serve with vanilla ice cream or whip cream.