These pretzels are making me thirsty!

Matt was out of town on Valentine's Day and I was in a bit of a mood. A bad mood, to be more specific. So after a tantrum or two I decided to make heart-shaped pretzels (all together now: "THANKS, PINTEREST!"). My mom used to make pretzels when I was a kid and let me roll and shape them, but I hadn't done it in years.

Theo and Ida loved rolling out pieces of dough in little snakes and attempting heart shapes (the ones pictured above were shaped by me). I try to let my kids help with cooking and baking but often lose patience. This is definitely a fun one to do with kids though, and extra fun to make them into hearts, or whatever shape. Bonus points if you put them in baggies and pass them out to neighbors--the cold fresh air and contact with humans helps with the moodiness.

Without further ado, Barb's pretzels:

1 1/2 T yeast
1 1/2 c warm water

1 tsp salt

1 T sugar
4 c flour (I only had a cup of all-purpose so I added 3 cups whole-wheat, and it worked fine)
1 egg, beaten
coarse salt (I used kosher salt)

Dissolve yeast in warm water.
Add salt and sugar, blend in flour, knead until smooth.
Roll strips into ropes and shape as desired. (kids can spend a long time being entertained by this step...unless they're Lars, in which case they will probably just try to eat the dough)
Place on greased cookie sheets; brush on beaten egg. Add salt.

Bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes. Mix equal parts honey and mustard for a dip if you'd like, or eat them plain.

I don't remember exactly but I think these made about 3 dozen-ish.


 


P.S. A good way to spend a solo Valentine's Night is to catch up on the latest Nashville and then re-watch old ones. OH, NASHVILLE!