HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZELS AND HAM AND CHEESE PRETZEL POCKETS

RECIPE AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY Cassie Stevens –

here is the recipe I went off of http://weelicious.com/2012/06/22/homemade-soft-pretzels/

Homemade pretzels and ham and cheese pretzel pockets

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (bout 100°f- it will be warm, not hot to the touch)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 (1/4-ounce) packet dry active yeast
• 4 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
• 1 1/2 cups water, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 425° F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the water and honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the water mixture and let sit for 10 minutes.
3. In a seperate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
4. Slowly add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined and the dough forms a soft ball (adding more flour if the dough is too sticky), about 5 minutes.*
5. Rinse out the mixing bowl and then grease it with the oil.
6. Place the dough in the greased bowl and turn it to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
7. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead two or three times to remove air bubbles.
8. Cut the dough into 16 equal pieces. Keep the dough covered with a kitchen towel when you’re not working with it.
9. Roll each piece of dough into a 12-inch long rope.
10. Make a U-shape with the dough rope. Pick up each end and cross one hand over the other and press loose ends onto bottom of U to make a pretzel shape.
11. Place pretzels on a parchment or Silpat lined baking sheet, cover with a kitchen towel, and let them rest for 10 minutes.
12. Stir together the water and baking soda. Brush the pretzels with the baking soda and water mixture (if you don’t have a brush, you can dip your finger in the liquid and rub it on).
13. Sprinkle pretzels with salt and bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly brown.
*This can be done by hand or using an electric mixer fitted with dough hook attachment.