Baking Essentials Awesome Pretzel Rolls Food

PRETZEL ROLLS

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a small saucepan until a thermometer registers 110 degrees F. Pour into a medium bowl; sprinkle with the yeast and let soften, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with the sugar and set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the flour and fine salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. With the mixer on low speed, add the yeast mixture and butter and mix until the dough is slightly smooth and soft but still sticky, about 2 minutes. Coat a large bowl with cooking spray; add the dough, cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Generously coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Stretch into a 16-inch-long log, about 2 inches wide; cut into 8 even pieces. Roll and stretch each piece into a 6-inch-long rope, then wind into a coil; tuck the end underneath. Transfer the rolls to the baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature 15 minutes, then refrigerate until slightly puffed, about 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Fill a large pot or deep skillet with 3 inches of water. Add the baking soda and 1/4 cup coarse salt and bring to a boil. Add half of the rolls and cook until slightly puffed, about 1 minute, flipping halfway through with a slotted spoon. Recoat the baking sheet with cooking spray and return the rolls to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining rolls. Brush the rolls lightly with the beaten egg, then sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Transfer to the oven and bake until the rolls are deep golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes on the pan, then remove the rolls to the rack to cool completely.

HOMEMADE PRETZEL BUNS WITH BUTTER AND HAM

Steps:

• Add 1 1/2 cups of lukewarm water and the yeast to a large bowl and allow the yeast to sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of the melted butter. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Once the dough is shaggy, but mostly holding together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Dust your hands with flour and knead the dough for about 3 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking. Form the dough into a ball and place back inside the mixing bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and leave in a warm, dry place to rise until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down once to release some of the air bubbles. Turn the dough out onto a very lightly floured surface and divide the dough into 8 equal pieces with a pizza cutter or a sharp knife. Form each piece into a ball, and place seam side down. Let rise, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring 12 cups of water and the baking soda to a light simmer in a large pot.
• Submerge 2 to 3 dough balls at a time into the simmering water using a slotted spoon. Let them sit in the water for 10 seconds per side. Carefully remove each roll, making sure to drain off as much liquid as possible and place on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make an X on the top of each roll. Brush the remaining melted butter on the rolls and sprinkle with a generous pinch of sea salt. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
• To assemble the sandwiches: Slice each roll in half. Spread softened butter on each of the cut sides of the roll, using about 1 tablespoon of butter per roll. Delicately fold and layer ham on the bottom half of each roll. Top with brie and place about a 1/4 cup of arugula on top of the ham. Sandwich with the top buns.

PRETZEL ROLLS

Steps:

• For the dough: Combine the milk and 6 tablespoons of the butter in a pot. Stir in the sugar. Scald the milk mixture slightly by heating it almost to a boil. Turn off the heat and let cool until just warm to the touch, about 10 minutes.
• Add the flour, yeast, baking soda and salt to the milk mixture in the pot and stir until well combined. Cover the pot with a dish towel and place in a warm spot in the kitchen. Let the dough rise for an hour or so. It should roughly double in size.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal parts and roll each into a neat ball. Place the balls on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with a dish towel and set aside in a warm place to rise for another 20 minutes.
• For the water bath: While the dough is rising, bring a pot with 10 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the baking soda.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small pot or in the microwave.
• Working in 3 batches of 4 rolls each, drop the dough balls into the water and boil for 30 seconds. Transfer the boiled balls to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain.
• To bake the rolls: Transfer the rolls to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make a small "x" in the top of each roll. Brush the tops with the melted butter and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake until deep brown, about 15 minutes.

BAKING ESSENTIALS: AWESOME PRETZEL ROLLS

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 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.
• 3. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 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.
• 5. Set the mixer to low speed and slowly add the warm milk.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 9. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen this should take 60 - 90 minutes.
• 10. Lightly dust a clean surface with some flour and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 4 - 5 minutes.
• 11. It should be a bit tacky, but not overly sticky. Add more flour, a bit at a time, until achieving the correct results.
• 12. Divide the dough into equal portions, and form into balls. As you can see, I got 10 rolls/buns.
• 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.
• 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.
• 15. Place a rack into the middle position and preheat the oven to 450f (230c).
• 16. While they are rising add about 6 inches (15.2cm) of water into a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
• 17. When it hits the boil slowly add the baking soda, a little at a time, until completely dissolved.
• 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.
• 19. Repeat for the other rolls.
• 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.
• 21. Add to the preheated oven until the buns are a deep brown, about 18 - 20 minutes.
• 22. Let rest for 5 - 7 minutes before using.
• 23. PLATE/PRESENT
• 24. Cut open and add your favorite fillings. Enjoy.
• 25. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

TRADITIONAL SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• Mixing and proofing:
• Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl. Add the barley malt syrup, stirring until it is dissolved. Allow the yeast to bloom until it is foamy, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the flour, beer, butter, and salt and continue stirring to form a shaggy mass. Attach the bowl and the dough hook to the stand mixer and begin kneading on medium-low speed. After about 1 minute the dough will form a smooth ball. The dough should be quite firm and may be slightly tacky, but not sticky. (If it is sticky, add a little more flour, about 1 tbsp at a time, and knead it in until the dough is smooth. If the dough is too dry to come together, add more water, 1 tsp at a time.) Continue kneading the dough on medium-low speed until it is elastic, 5 to 7 minutes. Alternatively, turn the shaggy dough out onto an unfloured work surface and knead it by hand.
• Choose a bowl that will be large enough to contain the dough after it has doubled in size, and grease it lightly with butter. Transfer the dough to the greased bowl and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Put the dough in the refrigerator to rise for at least 8 hours, and up to 24 hours, for optimal flavor.
• For quick pretzels, allow the dough to rise at room temperature (in a warm spot) until it has doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Shaping:
• Line two 12-by-17-in/30.5-by-43-cm rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
• Turn the dough out onto an unfloured work surface and firmly press it down to deflate. To form the classic pretzel shape, cut the dough into eight equal portions. Work with one piece of dough at a time and keep the rest covered with a damp, clean kitchen towel. Pat a piece of dough down with your fingertips to form a rough rectangle about 3 1/2 by 5 1/2 in/9 by 14 cm. Beginning on a long side, roll the dough up tightly, forming it into a little loaf. Pinch the seam together. Shape the dough into a rope by rolling it against the work surface with your palms and applying mild pressure, working from the center of the dough out to the ends. If you need more friction, spray the counter with a little water from a squirt bottle or drizzle a few drops of water and spread it with your hand. Once you can feel that the dough rope doesn't want to stretch any farther (usually when it is between 12 to 16 in/30.5 to 40.5 cm long), set it aside to rest and begin shaping another piece in the same manner. Repeat this process with the remaining pieces of dough.
• Return to the first dough rope and continue rolling it out to a length of 24 to 28 in/61 to 71 cm, leaving the center about 1 in/2.5 cm in diameter and tapering the ends thinly by applying a little more pressure as you work your way out. Position the dough rope into a U shape, with the ends pointing away from you. Holding an end in each hand, cross the ends about 3 in/7.5 cm from the tips and then cross them again. Fold the ends down and press them into the U at about 4 and 8 o'clock, allowing about 1/4 in/6 mm of the ends to overhang. Place the pretzel on one of the prepared baking sheets and cover it with a damp towel. Repeat this process with the remaining dough, spacing out the pretzels on the baking sheets at least 1 in/2.5 cm apart and covering them with a damp towel.
• Allow the covered pretzels to rise at warm room temperature until they have increased in size by about half, 20 to 30 minutes. (The pretzels can be refrigerated at this point, covered tightly with plastic wrap, for up to 8 hours before dipping and baking them.)
• At least 20 minutes before baking, position one rack in the upper third and another rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat it to 500°F/260°C/gas 10.
• Dipping:
• Prepare the lye solution or baked baking soda solution.
• Use a large skimmer to gently dip the pretzels in the lye or baked baking soda solution, one or two at a time. Leave them in the solution for about 20 seconds, carefully turning once after 10 seconds. Remove the pretzels from the liquid, drain, and return them to the baking sheets, spacing them at least 1 in/2.5 cm apart. If the ends come detached, simply reposition them. Repeat with the remaining pretzels.
• Topping and baking:
• Use a sharp paring knife or razor blade to cut a slit about 1/4 in/6 mm deep in the thickest part of each pretzel (the bottom of the U). Top them as you choose, if desired. Bake the pretzels until they are deep mahogany in color, 8 to 12 minutes, rotating the pans from front to back and top to bottom halfway through the baking time. Transfer the pretzels to a rack to cool for 10 minutes before serving. The pretzels are best enjoyed the day they are made, ideally warm from the oven or within an hour of being baked.
• Storing:
• To store the pretzels, allow them to cool completely and then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. Store them at room temperature for up to 2 days, or put the plastic-wrapped pretzels in a resealable plastic freezer bag and freeze them for up to 1 month. Reheat the pretzels in a 350°F/180°C/gas 4 oven for about 5 minutes, or for 10 to 12 minutes if frozen.