Pretzel Bread Made Easy

This is a great way to make a very delicious easy pretzel bread. It is great for sandwiches, panini, or just eating on its own. This takes roughly 2 hours to make start to finish.

You will need the following:

1 X 5 lb bag of flour

1 X 3 pack of active dry yeast

1 X box of baking soda

1 X t spoon of salt

1 quart of milk

1 stick of butter + a small amount from another stick (optional)

non-stick spray

Pour 1 quart of milk into a sauce pan and warm to temperature that can melt butter. Add the stick of butter and the salt to the pot. Stir the mix until all the butter has melted. Be careful not to let the milk boil as this will hinder the rising of the dough later. When the stick of butter has completely melted take the pot off the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

Add the entire 5lb bag of flour to the mixing bowl and create a crater in the center to which you add the cooled milk mix. Slowly pour the milk into the crater until the pan is empty. Cut all three packets of yeast open, and add to the milk. Let the combination sit and rest for 10 minutes for the yeast to activate.

Roll the sides of the flour into the milky mix with your hands, and blend the dry and wet ingredients. Dough should start out sticky, and no longer adhere to your hands as it becomes better mixed. If the mix is too stick and wet once all the flour is thoroughly mixed slowly add more flour. If too dry slowly add cold water. Continue to knead the dough until it is consistently mixed. Then ball up and let sit in the pan covered for 45 minutes to rise.

After rising is complete cut chunks of dough off and work into round balls/bun shapes. Place them on a pan and push them flat. Cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes.

Fill a sauce pan of water and allow to boil on the stove. You want to have roughly a quart to 2 quarts of water. Add 2 cups of baking soda to the boiling water, and mix in. Drop a bun into the boiling water and allow to boil for 30 seconds, flip with tongs and allow other side to boil for 30 seconds. Take out and add back to the baking pan. Repeat this step with all the buns. The boiling process should show no sign of cooking, however the dough might be come softer.

Bake the bread in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. You will know when the pretzel bread is complete because it will brown like a soft pretzel would. Pull out upon completion.

This is an optional step, but you can use an additional stick of butter and rub some butter on the top of the bread while still warm out of the oven for more flavor. Slice and ENJOY!