baking essentials: awesome pretzel rolls

34 Pinches 19 Photos
Wichita, KS
Updated on Mar 2, 2020

I like a good pretzel. But not those dried out excuses you pick up at the grocer. I want the soft freshly made ones; like the kind you can get in Philadelphia. Add a bit of mustard, and I am in pretzel heaven. Pretzel rolls are made using a similar recipe; however, you are making soft, yummy rolls, which are perfect for whatever sandwich ingredients you choose to put in them. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

prep time 1 Hr 30 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Bake
yield Several

Ingredients

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 2 tablespoons sweet butter, room temp
  • 1 tablespoon coconut, or palm sugar
  • 2 teaspoons yeast, instant variety
  • 1 teaspoon salt, kosher variety, fine grind
  • 1 3/4 cups warm whole milk, around 110f (43c)
  • 4 1/2 cups flour, all-purpose variety
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg beaten with a few drops of water
  • OPTIONAL ITEMS
  • coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

How To Make baking essentials: awesome pretzel rolls

  • Step 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • Step 2
    You can make the dough by kneading it using your hands or use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. In this recipe, we will be using a stand mixer to do the initial kneading and then finish it off by hand.
  • Step 3
    Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
  • Step 4
    Add the butter, coconut sugar, yeast, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with an S-Blade. Then, throw in about 4 cups of flour, and whisk to combine.
  • Step 5
    Set the mixer to low speed and slowly add the warm milk.
  • Step 6
    Increase the speed, allow the ingredients to blend together. Eventually the dough will begin to climb the hook and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Step 7
    You will probably need to add more flour; just a tablespoon or so at a time, and occasionally stop the mixer to scrape down the sides.
  • Step 8
    Add about a tablespoon of non-flavored oil (grapeseed, vegetable) to a bowl, then add the dough, turn to coat the dough in the oil, cover, and allow to rise until doubled in size.
  • Step 9
    Depending on the temperature of your kitchen this should take 60 – 90 minutes.
  • Step 10
    Lightly dust a clean surface with some flour and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 4 – 5 minutes.
  • Step 11
    It should be a bit tacky, but not overly sticky. Add more flour, a bit at a time, until achieving the correct results.
  • Step 12
    Divide the dough into equal portions, and form into balls. As you can see, I got 10 rolls/buns.
  • Step 13
    Roll the dough balls between your hands, until they are round and smooth, and then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Keep them about 1.5 inches (3.8cm) apart from each other.
  • Step 14
    Allow them to rest and rise, until they look something like this photo. As you can see mine are just about touching each other.
  • Step 15
    Place a rack into the middle position and preheat the oven to 450f (230c).
  • Step 16
    While they are rising add about 6 inches (15.2cm) of water into a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
  • Step 17
    When it hits the boil slowly add the baking soda, a little at a time, until completely dissolved.
  • Step 18
    Using a large slotted spoon or spatula, slowly lower one or two of the buns into the boiling water. Wait 30 seconds, flip, wait another 30 seconds, then place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Step 19
    Repeat for the other rolls.
  • Step 20
    Whip the egg with a few drops of water and brush the tops of the buns. Then, using a sharp knife or lame, cut the distinctive cross into the tops of each one of the buns.
  • Step 21
    Add to the preheated oven until the buns are a deep brown, about 18 – 20 minutes.
  • Step 22
    Let rest for 5 – 7 minutes before using.
  • Step 23
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • So yummy
    Step 24
    Cut open and add your favorite fillings. Enjoy.
  • Stud Muffin
    Step 25
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

Discover More

Category: Savory Breads
Diet: Low Fat
Method: Bake
Culture: American
Ingredient: Flour

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