Alton Brown Makes Soft Pretzels | Good Eats | Food Network

Summary

In this video, the host transforms a classic bagel recipe into soft pretzels by adding melted butter and adjusting water quantity and temperature. After mixing with flour, yeast, sugar, and salt, the dough is kneaded until smooth. It then rises, is portioned, and shaped into pretzels. They're boiled in a baking soda solution to achieve a chewy texture, glazed with egg wash for color, and baked to golden brown perfection at 450 degrees for 14 minutes.

Takeaways

• 🥯 **Adaptation of Bagel Recipe**: The recipe for soft pretzels is adapted from an old bagel recipe.
• 🧈 **Addition of Butter**: Two ounces of unsalted melted butter are added to the dough.
• 💧 **Water Adjustment**: The recipe calls for more water, specifically one and a half cups heated to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 🍬 **Sugar and Salt**: One tablespoon of sugar and two teaspoons of kosher salt are included in the yeast mixture.
• 🧪 **Yeast Activation**: A package of active dry yeast, equivalent to two and a half teaspoons, is used to activate the yeast.
• 📏 **Flour Measurement**: Twenty-two ounces of all-purpose flour, or about four and a half cups, are weighed out for the dough.
• 🔁 **Kneading Process**: The dough is mixed at low speed until it comes together, then at medium speed for four to five minutes to develop gluten.
• 🌡️ **Rising Time**: The dough is allowed to rise in a warm place (70 degrees Fahrenheit) for one hour until it doubles in size.
• ✂️ **Dough Portioning**: The dough is divided into eight equal portions, each weighing four and a half ounces.
• 🍞 **Shaping the Pretzels**: Each portion is shaped into a 24-inch long rope and then formed into the classic pretzel shape.
• 💧 **Moisture Maintenance**: Tea towels and water spritzes are used to keep the shaped pretzels damp before baking.
• 🥣 **Boiling and Soaking**: Pretzels are briefly boiled in a solution of water and baking soda to gelatinize the starches and achieve the characteristic pretzel texture.
• 🥚 **Egg Wash**: An egg yolk mixed with water is used as an egg wash to add color and help the salt adhere to the pretzels.
• 🔥 **Baking Time and Temperature**: The pretzels are baked at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 minutes, with the pans rotated halfway through the baking process.

Q & A

What is the main ingredient adapted in the recipe to create a soft pretzel-like bread?

The main ingredient adapted is an old bagel recipe, with the addition of two ounces of unsalted melted butter and more water.

How much water and at what temperature should it be added to the recipe?

One and a half cups of water heated to around 115 degrees Fahrenheit should be added.

What are the other ingredients added to the water besides the butter?

One tablespoon of sugar, two teaspoons of kosher salt, and one package (two and a half teaspoons) of active dry yeast are added.

How much flour is used in the recipe and what type is it?

The recipe calls for 22 ounces of all-purpose flour.

What method is used to combine the ingredients in the mixer?

The ingredients are combined using a mixer with a hook attachment, starting at low speed and then increasing to medium for four to five minutes.

What is the desired texture of the dough after mixing?

The dough should be smooth and satiny, almost like a matte finish, and should come away in a ball.

How long should the dough rise and at what temperature?

The dough should rise for one hour in a warm place, ideally around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

How many portions should the dough be divided into and what is the weight of each portion?

The dough should be divided into eight portions, each weighing four and a half ounces.

What is the target length for the shaped pretzel dough before forming the traditional pretzel shape?

The target length for the shaped pretzel dough is 24 inches.

How is the pretzel dough prepared for boiling and what is the purpose of this step?

The pretzel dough is dipped in boiling water with baking soda for 30 seconds to gelatinize the starches and prepare it for baking.

What is the purpose of the egg wash applied to the pretzel dough before baking?

The egg wash, made from one egg yolk thinned with a tablespoon of water, is applied to give the pretzel a golden brown color and to help the salt stick to the surface.

At what temperature should the pretzels be baked and for how long?

The pretzels should be baked at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 minutes, with the pans rotated halfway through the baking time.