Pepperoni Pretzels

It's the first thing you smell when you step foot into the mall.  It's like they pump the scent of freshly baked pretzels through the air systems to tantalize you until you give in and buy a pretzel.  Wait, that would be a great marketing tactic...maybe that is what they do!

Typically, I've been able to resist the temptation, but that hasn't been the case lately.  A couple months ago, Mike and I stopped by the mall to check on something.  It took a lot less time than we planned and we had time to kill before heading to our friend's house.  The smell of the fresh baked pretzels called to us and we had to give in.  We split a pepperoni pretzel that was absolutely delicious.  Mike talked for days about how good it was and how I would have to re-create it.  Then, a couple weeks ago we were at the mall again and the thought of a pepperoni pretzel was too much...we had to give in and buy one (or two...).

The other day, Mike requested that I make pepperoni pretzels.  Remember how much he loves homemade pretzels?  I sprinkled some cheese over the pretzel dough and then topped it with slices of pepperoni.  We both loved these pretzels and we'll certainly be making them again.  Goodbye mall pretzels, hello homemade pretzels!

German Style Soft Pretzels

Makes 4

Ingredients:
1 cup warm milk (about 110 degrees)
2-1/4 teaspoons yeast
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2-1/2 cups flour
2 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons baking soda
shredded mozzarella cheese
pepperoni slices
butter for brushing on top

1.  Pour the warm milk into a large bowl and sprinkle with the yeast.  Let it sit for about 2 minutes.

2.  Mix in the brown sugar and 1 cup of flour.

3.  Melt the 2 Tablespoons of butter and stir into the mixture.

4.  Add the remaining flour and salt.  Mix to form a slightly sticky dough.

5.  Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth but still slightly sticky.

6.  Shape the dough into a ball, place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place to rise until the dough doubles (about 1 hour). 

7.  Punch the dough down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.

8.  Divide the dough into 4 pieces to make "mall-sized" pretzels.  Roll and stretch each piece into a 30 inch rope.

9.  Form each piece into a pretzel shape by forming a U-shape, then holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press lightly onto the bottom of the pretzel.

10.  In a shallow baking dish (or pie tin), dissolve 3 Tablespoons baking soda into 1-1/2 cups water.

11.  Dip each pretzel into the baking soda water and place formed pretzels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly sprayed with cooking spray. 

12.  Sprinkle pretzels with mozzarella cheese and place pepperonis on top.

13.  Bake pretzels at 450 for 8-10 minutes, until golden.

14.  Remove pretzels from the oven and brush with melted butter while hot.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Pretzel recipe from:  NYC Eats