April 26: National Pretzel Day

I contemplated making fresh pretzels out of dough. But then I had an idea. Why not make pretzel rolls! If you have never had pretzel rolls before, you should try them. They are a little chewy and salty and surprisingly taste like pretzels - just in a roll form!

JazzyJ's Proud Pretzel Rolls:

Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon yeast
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups warm milk (about 100 - 110 degrees F)
- 1 1/2 cup warm water (about 100 - 110 degrees F)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 6 1/2 to 8 cups flour
- course salt to sprinkle on top

To Boil:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup baking soda

Instructions:
1. Mix together yeast, milk, oil, and water using an electric beater. (Trust me, you want to use an electric beater because this makes a lot of dough and your hand will get tired from stirring.)
2. Add the salt. Slowly stir in flour until the dough is soft. The dough should feel a little more stiff and less sticky than regular dough.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover. Let sit for about one hour.
4. Once the dough has about doubled in size, separate dough into 16 pieces and roll each one into a little ball.
5. Place the balls on a lightly floured surface, cover, and let sit for 15 minutes.
6. While the dough balls are sitting, boil a large pot of water and dissolve the sugar and baking soda in it.
7. Taking one dough ball at a time, pinch the bottom of the dough ball together to form a tight ball. Drop in the boiling water and turn over after about 30 seconds. Once the second side has cooked for 30 seconds, drain using a spatula, and set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Using a sharp knife (be careful though) cut two slits in the top of each dough ball, being careful not to deflate the dough ball.
9. Cook for 20 minutes in a 425 degree oven.
10. EAT.

Pinched and ready to boil.

Boiling!

So they don't quite look like a typical pretzel roll. But they deliver on taste. They are a little crunchy on top, a little chewy in the middle, and fresh all around. And I think they look fancy too! They might not be roll shaped (as in, they aren't totally round) but they were a good size! They are very filling but aren't overly heavy. Make these and be happy.