Soft Pretzels From Epcots Biergarten Restaurant Food

SOFT PRETZELS FROM EPCOT'S BIERGARTEN RESTAURANT

Steps:

• Stir and dissolve yeast in warm water in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir in salt, sugar, and 2 cups of flour.
• Beat until smooth.
• Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
• Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.
• Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Cut dough into 3 oz pieces and roll into a ball.
• Allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• Roll out dough into strings and then twist dough pieces in the middle.
• Pick up the dough string with two hands each hand holding one end.
• Attach the ends to the dough ina pretzel shape.
• Place pretzel on a baking sheet and allow to proof until pretzels string thickness is about doubles as thick.
• Whisk the eggs with water.
• Brush egg wash on top of pretzel after they have proofed.
• Sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Put on to baking sheets and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
• Dip in prepared mustard if desired.

BUTTERY SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 1/4 cup warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two more tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
• In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in 4 cups hot water; set aside. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda-hot water solution and place pretzels on baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
• Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 8 minutes.