Homemade Baked and Buttery Soft Pretzels

Do you love Auntie Anne's Pretzels? 


I have gotten rave reviews from this recipe.
Doesn't it look delicious?   ~Shelly

Braided and baked soft pretzels.

Ingredients

3 cups of all purpose flour plus a little more for dusting 
1/4 cup of sugar 
2 teaspoons of salt
1.25 cups of warm water
1 teaspoon of sugar 
4 teaspoons of active, dry, baker’s yeast 
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon of melted butter or vegetable oil for the dough
2 tablespoons of melted butter for brushing after baking
4 cups of hot water
1/2 cup of baking soda
Pretzel, kosher, or coarse sea salt for salting the pretzels

Equipment

• Small bowl
• Large mixing bowl
• 1 or 2 baking sheets
• Aluminum foil
• Large pot
• Slotted spoon
• Rubber spatula
• Cup, tablespoon, and teaspoon measurements
• Pastry / basting brush
• Large flat surface
• Knife

Directions

1. Combine the 3 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/4 cup of sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix the dry ingredients well using a fork.
2. In a small bowl, mix the 1.25 cups of warm water with a teaspoon of sugar and the 4 teaspoons of yeast. Mix well until dissolved and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it gets a little frothy. It may even smell a little bit like beer, which is good because yeast is one of the ingredients that gives beer a lot of its distinctive flavor and aroma.
3. After 10 minutes, melt a tablespoon of butter in the microwave (or use vegetable oil) and add it to the flour mixture along with the yeast liquid.
4. Mix the ingredients well starting with a rubber spatula. When the dough starts to form into a uniform paste, you can use your hands to knead the dough for 6 to 8 minutes until all of the ingredients are well incorporated and you can shape the dough into a ball. Don’t overdo it with the kneading though. The idea is just to get everything well mixed.
5. Next, use a teaspoon of vegetable oil to grease the outside of the entire dough ball to keep it from sticking to the bowl as it rises.
6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a towel and let it rise for 1 hour at room temperature (don’t refrigerate!).
7. After an hour, the dough will have risen noticeably and be very soft to the touch. You’ll also start to smell that wonderful yeast and dough combination that is a precursor to baked breads.
8. At this point, start to pre-heat your oven to 450 degrees F.
9. Dust a flat, clean surface like a counter-top with some flour and carefully get the dough ball out of the bowl and onto the counter. Dust the top of the dough with a little more flour to help keep it from sticking.
10. Dust your hands with flour and cut the dough in half. Start stretching and forming half the dough into an elongated rectangle that you can then cut into 6 equal pieces. When you have a nice stretched rectangle, cut the dough into six pieces and repeat this process for the other half of the dough. You should end up with 12, evenly sized pieces of dough.
11. Now it’s time to create some fun shapes! Roll out a piece of dough into a long, thin cord. The length is really up to you depending on what kind of shapes you want to make. The typical bowed pretzel shape is always fun and you’ll need a decently long cord for that. I found that the usual pretzel shape is great, but I also really liked just rolling out a cord of dough and tying it in a single knot (like the first knot in a square or granny knot for anyone that knows their knots). I don’t recommend the long twisty style you might see in my pictures. Those looked fun, but didn’t give the best results.
12. Repeat this process for all of the pieces of dough. Mix and match the shapes as you like!
13. When done with the braiding, get 4 cups of hot water and 1/2 a cup of baking soda ready to use. If your hot tap water isn’t clean or isn’t hot enough just heat some cold water and let it cool slightly so that it is hot, but not boiling. Some light steam is ok. Then add in the baking soda and mix until well dissolved. This step is especially important because this alkaline mixture of baking soda and water is what will help to give the pretzels that deep brown color on the outside as well as that nice outer texture that is so characteristic of soft pretzels. It works because the alkaline mixture speeds up the browning process as the pretzels cook. 
14. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (2 baking sheets if your pretzels won’t all fit on one sheet). Keep in mind that the pretzels will expand a bit as they bake. Also make sure to grease the foil very well using butter or vegetable oil. This will help to keep the pretzels from sticking when they bake.
15. Using a slotted spatula or large slotted spoon, carefully scoop up a pretzel and place it into the hot baking soda mixture. Let it sit for 15 seconds or so as you splash some of the water over the top using the spatula or spoon. Then take it out of the water, let it drain a bit, and place it on the baking sheet. Repeat this process for all of the pretzels.
16. Sprinkle the pretzels with pretzel salt, kosher salt, or coarse sea salt. Don’t go overboard with the salt, but just make sure to lightly cover the tops.
17. Slide the baking sheet(s) into the oven and make the pretzels for 10 minutes or until they are a nice deep brown. Not all areas of the pretzel will get that deep brown, so just pull them out as soon as the outermost edges are that classic pretzel color.
18. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave to brush butter onto the pretzels.
19. Brush each pretzel with a nice amount of butter to coat the entire top. Then throw them in the oven for another 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll end up with some rich, buttery, glistening pretzels.
20. Serve them immediately or, better yet, let them cool. I discovered that the pretzel flavor actually depends as these pretzels cool. They taste great piping hot, but they taste even more like traditional pretzels when they cool down.
21. Eat them with your favorite mustard for a savory treat or eat them like a dessert dipped in a sweet vanilla glaze! These pretzels work as a salty or sweet treat. They’re also just wonderful plain or buttered.
22. If you have leftover pretzels, place them in a sealed plastic zipper bag and refrigerate. Use them the next morning to make pretzel breakfast sandwiches!

This recipes comes from manfuelblog.com
https://manfuelblog.com/2016/10/16/homemade-baked-and-buttery-soft-pretzels-recipe/

BBQ Country Style Ribs

Country-style ribs come from the shoulder portion of the pig. This makes them fattier, easier to prepare and cook.

Serve with a classic Baked Beans recipe and a delicious Potato Salad for the perfect family gathering.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs country style ribs
  1.5-2 cups BBQ sauce

Rib Rub

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar packed
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 250°F and place ribs on a rimmed baking sheet (I line with foil for easy cleanup).
• In a small bowl whisk together rib rub ingredients.
• Coat the ribs in the seasoning and cover tightly with foil. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the ribs just start to feel tender.
• Remove from the oven and liberally baste the ribs with bbq sauce. Cook for another 45 mins to 1 hour uncovered until fork tender.
• If desired, turn your oven onto the broil setting and let the BBQ sauce on the ribs bubble and lightly brown.

• 
  

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars with a shortbread style crust, a sweet, creamy filling and crisp, toasted pecans on top; they're like pecan pie only without all the work!

Pecan Pie Bars
Slightly adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything

Crust Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold, unsalted butter - 12 tablespoons

Filling:
3 large eggs
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups chopped pecans

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. 

2. In a bowl mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is fine particles. Or you can mix this in a food processor and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Pour crust mixture into the prepared baking pan. Spread out evenly and press crust down firmly all over.

3. Place crust in oven and bake for about 20 minutes until just lightly golden around edges.

4.While crust is baking prepare the topping. Mix eggs, sugars, corn syrup, melted butter and vanilla together in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans. Spread the topping over the crust as soon as it comes out of oven.

5. Place bars in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is set. If the topping jiggles, it is not done. If the topping begins to brown to much, loosely place a sheet of foil over the pan.

6. Allow Pecan Pie Bars to cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!

From Lyndasrecipebox.com

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

This chicken Parmesan is done casserole style (so, no breading or frying!), but still offers up that irresistible combination of tender chicken, crunchy/cheesy coating, and flavorful sauce."     

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (not too large)

2 cups prepared marinara sauce

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil                                    

1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 (5 ounce) package garlic croutons

                                                             

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Coat the bottom of a 9x13 inch casserole dish with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic and hot red pepper flakes.
3. Arrange the chicken breasts in bottom of the dish, and pour marinara sauce over chicken. Sprinkle basil over marinara sauce, and top with half the mozzarella cheese, followed by half the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on the croutons, then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake in preheated oven until cheese and croutons are golden brown and the chicken is no longer pink inside, about 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the shape and thickness of your chicken breasts. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken breast should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).  

Pumpkin Cookies

 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 egg

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

3 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups all purpose flour

1 (12 oz.) bag white chocolate chips

ICING

1/2 cup light brown sugar

3 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup milk

2 cups sifted powder sugar

INSTRUCTIONS COOKIES

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside

2. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed fpr 2 minutes.

3. Add in the egg, vanilla, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and mix for 1 minute till smooth, scraping the sides of bowl as necessary,

4. Turn the mixer to low and add in the flour, mixing until just combined.  Stir in the white chocolate chips until evenly incorporated.

5. Using a medium (2 Tablespoon) size cookie scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 10 - 12 minutes until the edges are slightly golden.  Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. ICING: In a medium sauce pan stir together the brown sugar and butter over medium heat.

7. Bring the mixture to a bowl and continue cooking for 1 minute.  Whisk the milk and powdered sugar until smooth.  Alternately you can use a hand mixer for this step.

8. Spread about 1 teaspoon on the top of each cookie and allow to set.

NOTW:  Store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Source

Cookiesandcups.com

Sophie Schaffer's Fresh Yeast Rolls & Cinnamon Rolls

My great friend, Gayle Schaffer, makes the best yeast rolls ever.  She's been visiting me from Virginia, and we decided to make these yeast rolls.  

She told me she wanted to make them with me so that I could really get the feel for the process.  And I'm so glad she was here, because it really is a process.

In the future, I will make this recipe a day ahead and reheat the rolls for my family holiday gatherings.

We started about 1:00 pm. and finished about 7:00 pm. 
A six hour process. 

You know it's going to be special when you deliberately spend
that long making it.  

I also had to purchase a stand alone mixer,
which I've been wanting to buy for a long time. 
Notice the hook connected to the mixer. 

NOTE - First Gayle said, the kitchen needs to be very warm. 
You don't want any drafts.  

Ingredients

1 stick butter
2 cups whole milk
2 Packages Platinum Yeast by Red Star (the best) optional use Red Star Rapid Rise.
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 beaten eggs
King Arthur's Bread Flour

Directions

Melt Milk and butter over medium heat until just warm.

Test temp with your finger.  Too much heat will kill the yeast when added. If it's too warm, set it to the side for a bit.

Combine about 1/3 cup warm water (not hot) with the 2 yeast packets.  Stir to dissolve.  
Add yeast to warm milk and butter and set aside.  No heat.  It will look lumpy.  Let the yeast foam up, about 20 minutes.  With experience you can tell just by looking at it, when it's ready.

In a medium size bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar,
1 teaspoon salt, and 2 beaten eggs.

Add Warm butter, milk, and yeast to this mixture.

(In this picture, the red measuring cup is the yeast before adding warm water)

Using a stand alone mixer, with the bread hook, on a slow "2" speed, begin by adding 2 cups bread flour.  Occasionally scrape the sides of the bowl. Increase mixer speed to a "3" speed. Continue adding flour 1 cup at a time. Approximately 5-7 cups total flour.  We ran the mixer about 1 minute before adding additional flour.

Spread 1 cup flour on the counter and pour dough mixture out onto the flour, scraping the edges.
Do not wash this bowl.  Butter all around the bowl, clear to the top.  We'll use this bowl to let the dough rise.

Knead the dough adding a bit more flour, 1/2 to 1 cup, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Kneading hints - After pouring out on the counter, pull in a little flour when it gets sticky.  Using the palm of your hand, knead this approximately 100 times. About 10 minutes. You'll feel it drawing up and becoming more elastic.  Knead another 30 times.  Dough should be very elastic by then.  We did not use all the dough on the counter.  Do not clean up the flour on the counter.  We will continue to use it later.

Put dough in the buttered bowl.  Roll it around the bowl a little to butter the dough, and cover with a tea towel.  Set aside to rise, in your warm kitchen.  Depending on the conditions inside, and even outside your house, will determine how long the dough takes to rise.  It will take approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. to have the dough double in size.  It took us every bit of 2 hours.  

After the dough has doubled, it just fell out of the buttered bowl.  Work the dough minimally again.
We divided the dough in half because we are going to make 2 kinds of rolls

Do not use anything on the baking pans.  Not spray PAM or oil of any kind.

A Parkerhouse Roll - Using a rolling pin, roll out dough to desired thickness.  Using a biscuit cutter or a thin rimmed glass, cut our a circle.  Then stretch the dough just a little, fold it over once, and place on a light colored cookie sheet.  We pinched the two sides together with a little flour, so they won't come apart while rising a second time.  Now we will cover the rolls with a tea towel and set in a non-drafty area of the kitchen to let the rolls rise again.  It will take another 1 or a little longer to double in size again.  

Hot Rolls - We added the leftover dough from the cut out rolls to the second half of the dough, and kneaded gently again.  We handled the dough delicately.  Do not over work the dough.  We are going to make balls with this dough, about a 2-inch round size.  Don't press the dough together.  

Using a light colored 9x13 pan, we placed the balls 3 across and 4 long.  Cover with another tea towel, and allow to rise, doubled in size, about 1 hour.  The same as the Parkerhouse rolls.

After the rolls have doubled again, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
Do NOT use the Convection setting on your oven.  Use the traditional oven setting.   
Bake rolls approximately 12 minutes.

First picture here is before they rose.  Second picture is out of the oven.

Gayle said to me a dozen times, "Do not open the oven door", as I watched them bake.

It smells SO GOOD in my kitchen!

ENJOY 

Cinnamon Rolls

Roll out dough into a rectangle.  Melt 1/2 to 3/4 of a stick of butter, and brush the inside of your dough.  Mix Brown Sugar and Cinnamon in equal parts and sprinkle over melted butter.

Then Roll it up like a jelly roll, and pinch the dough together.  Slice about 3/4 to 1 inch thick and place in a light colored 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle left over cinnamon & sugar mixture evenly over top of rolls.

Cover with a tea towel and allow to rise until doubled in size.

Bake cinnamon rolls about 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

EASY Prime Rib

 

Harter House Supermarkets will cut the Bone from your Rib Roast 
and tie it back on, making for easy slicing.

Harter House will also season you roast for FREE 
with Pappy's or Santa Maria Seasoning.

Seasoning

Cracked Black Pepper,

Kosher Salt

Garlic.

(or your seasonings of choice)

Instructions

Bake in a 350 degree oven -  approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours - depending on size.

The important part is to use a meat thermometer.

Remove the prime rib from the oven when your meat thermometer says 120 - 125 degrees.

Allow the meat to rest at least 15 minutes before slicing.

 

NOTE

If your slices look too rare, let the slices sit in the Au Jus Gravy for just a bit.

It will brown right up and be very tender.

And Don't forget the Horseradish sauce. YUM.