American pretzels

Fluffy American Pretzels

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 12 pretzels

Ingredients:
- 7 g dry yeast
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 100 ml warm water
- 500 g flour (preferably type 000)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 200 ml hot water (for boiling)
- 1/4 cup baking soda (for boiling)
- Coarse salt (for decoration)
- 1 egg (for brushing)

Preparation:

1. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, mix 7 g of dry yeast, 1 tablespoon of sugar (from the 4 tablespoons mentioned), 1 tablespoon of flour, and 100 ml of warm water. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes. You will notice that the yeast will start to form bubbles, indicating that it is active. This is the perfect base for your fluffy pretzels.

2. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, combine 500 g of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the activated yeast mixture. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Start mixing the ingredients with a spatula or your hands until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a bit more flour.

3. Kneading: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. A useful technique is to push the dough with your palms and fold it several times. This process will activate the gluten and contribute to achieving a fluffy texture.

4. Proofing: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. Ideally, choose a place without drafts, such as the turned-off oven.

5. Shaping the pretzels: Once the dough has risen, divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, then twist it into a pretzel shape. Make sure the edges are well sealed to prevent them from coming apart during boiling.

6. Boiling: In a large pot, bring 200 ml of hot water to a boil. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda – this step will give the pretzels their characteristic color and unique flavor. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds on each side, then remove them with a spatula and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Brushing and decorating: Preheat the oven to 220°C. Beat an egg and brush each pretzel with it, then sprinkle coarse salt on top for added flavor. This step adds not only taste but also a shiny appearance to the pretzels.

8. Baking: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until they are golden and crispy. You will be delighted by the aroma that will spread throughout the house!

9. Serving: Let the pretzels cool on a rack, then serve them warm, alongside a cheese dip or mustard. You can also experiment with toppings like sesame seeds or poppy seeds for a personal twist.

Possible variations:
- You can add spices like garlic powder or herbs to the dough for a different flavor.
- Instead of coarse salt, you can use grated cheese to create cheese pretzels.

This quick and delicious treat is perfect for a family snack or a party, with a simple recipe that will make you fall in love with cooking. Enjoy the fluffy American pretzels and savor every bite!

 Ingredients: 460 - 500 g flour, 7 g dry yeast, 2 teaspoons salt, 4 tablespoons sugar, 1 packet vanilla sugar, seeds for sprinkling on the pretzels: poppy seeds, sesame, caraway, etc. (whatever you want)