Easy Fresh-baked Pretzels

If you’re resolution for 2013 is to simplify, then this is the pretzel recipe for you! Why? Because it is SIMPLE!

Twenty minutes from fridge to mouth. I’ve even arranged for you to skip the dough-making step. All you need is store-bought pizza dough. [You can, of course, make your own dough if you like; however, if I may point out, that totally goes against the whole ‘simplify’ concept. Whatev :)]

Ready-made dough results in perfectly soft, delicious pretzels and you can skip that measuring, stirring, and kneading step.

You Will Need:
Pizza dough (a 22 oz. dough round would make ~8 pretzels)
1 egg
Ingredients to season pretzels with — Parmesan cheese, parsley, coarse salt, cinnamon and sugar

Five Easy Steps:
Preheat oven to 425 F degrees. Divide dough into approximately 1/3 cup portions. Roll the dough with your hands into a long strands about 18-20 inches long, as below. The dough will respond more readily to your efforts if it is not cold – allow it to warm to room temperature if you’ve got the time. Use a little flour on your hands if needed to keep the dough from sticking to you.

On a cookie sheet, twist each strand into a pretzel shape by making a circle, then where the ends meet, cross them over each other and twist them once. Press down lightly to help the pretzel maintain its shape. (as you can see, I forgot to twist the ends on this one!)

Beat an egg and brush the tops and sides of each pretzel with the egg wash, as I’ve started to do in the below photo. This helps your toppings to stick, and also makes the pretzel golden brown and shiny.

Dust your pretzels with toppings of your choice. I did mine a few ways: just salt, cinnamon and sugar, and Parmesan and parsley. All delish!

Bake at 425 F for 10 minutes. They will be golden brown and spring back when touched. Remove to cooling rack, or eat them warm right off the pan!

Now, isn’t that a great way to start off the New Year? Way more tasty than a tabasco-wheatgrass-lemon water cleanse, and SO MUCH more fun than organizing a closet. Trust me 🙂

What will you top YOUR pretzels with??