Snacks/sweet pretzels

Serves: 12

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hour

From: Fresh May/June 2009

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 1/3 cups sugar, divided

1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. ground nutmeg, divided

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs at room temperature

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat and let cool in the saucepan about 5 minutes.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of the sugar, brown sugar, flour, 1/2 tsp. of the nutmeg, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Stir with a fork or wooden spoon until well-mixed.

Step 3

Gently whisk the eggs and vanilla into the cooled butter in the saucepan. Pour mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until well blended. Dough will look wet and grainy. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 4

In a small bowl, stir together remaining 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp. nutmeg.

Step 5

Position oven racks in the top third and bottom third of the oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Have ready 2 baking sheets.

Step 6

Remove batter from fridge. Scoop heaping teaspoonfuls of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball in the nutmeg sugar mixture, then place about 11/2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Gently press each ball with a flat-bottomed glass until slightly flattened (about 1/3 inch high). You may need to bake in two batches -,- keep dough chilled while cookies bake.

Step 7

Bake both sheets at the same time until cookies are pale gold, about 9 to 11 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool to room temperature. Store at room temperature in an airtight container, or freeze.