View source for Snacks/sweet pretzels

Serves: 12

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hour

From: Fresh May/June 2009

=Ingredients=
1 package active dry yeast (1/4 oz.)

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 cups warm water (110f, bath water)

3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. kosher salt

4 cups all purpose flour, plus additional if needed

1/2 tsp. vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

==Baking Soda Bath==
1/3 cup baking soda

4 cups warm water

=Directions=

== Step 1 ==
Place yeast, brown sugar and warm water in large mixing bowl and stir.  Allow to sit for 10 minutes or until foamy.  Stir in butter and vanilla.

== Step 2 ==
In another bowl whisk salt with flour.  Add to yeast mixture 1 cup at a time and mix until dough forms.  Dust work surface with flour, and need for 8-10 minutes.  Add flour as needed, slight stickiness is OK.

== Step 3 ==
Wipe any dough from mixing bowl then add oil to bowl.  Use a paper towel to spread it around, coating the surface.  Form the dough into a ball and place it in bowl.  Cover bowl loosely with plastic and let dough rise in warm place for 45 minutes or until dough has doubled in bulk.

== Step 4 ==
Punch down dough to remove excess bubbles and roll into a ball.  Divide ball into 12 equal pieces and place on work surface.  Rinse bowl make baking soda bath by mixing water with baking soda.  Set aside.

== Step 5 ==
Preheat oven to 425f.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil and spray with vegetable cooking spray.  In a small bowl mix cinnamon and sugar.

Glad you had some time off to enjoy your family this hoidaly season!  I missed your blog posts :-)I have been eating all kinds of goodies for the last week, and my clothes are getting a little tight! hahahaha  You are lucky you have not had that problem.  I am swearing off the sweets though...they are evil. LOL!!Enjoy your New Years!!!!

I saw this recipe a few <a href="http://ogcyudze.com">monhts</a> ago, they looked delicious! I mean what's not to love, salty pretzels (love them), peanut butter (love it), chocolate (love it) all three together? It has to be delicious! I would love to meet the person who thought it would be a good idea to put chocolate and peanut butter together, Genius!a0 I got this recipe from Stephanies Kitchen.

= Variations =
== Chocolate ==
Replace 1/4 cup flour with 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa.  Sift in with flour.  Sprinkle with course decorative sugar.
== Cinnamon Currant ==
Add 1 tsp. cinnamon to flour.  Add 1/2 cup currants or raisins while kneading.
== Maple Walnut ==
Substitute 1 tsp. maple extract for the vanilla.  Add 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts to the flour.  Brush surface of pretzels with maple syrup and sprinkle with brown sugar.