Neujahrspretzel (New Year’s Pretzels)

NEUJAHRSPRETZEL (NEW YEAR'S PRETZELS)

2 Preparation Time :

Categories : German Appetizers

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -- -- --

2 c Milk

1/2 c Butter Or Margarine

2 pk Yeast -- Active, Dry

2 ts Salt

1/2 c Sugar

7 c Flour -- Unbleached

2 ea Eggs -- Large

1 c Confectioners' Sugar

1 x -- Water

1 t Vanilla Extract

1/4 c Almonds -- Chopped

Heat milk and butter until very warm (120-130 degrees

1 cup flour. Slowly

beat into warm milk. Beat for 2 minutes. Add eggs

1 cup of flour. Beat for an additional

2 minutes.

Add enough flour to form a soft dough. Knead until

smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place dough in a

greased bowl. Let rise in a warm place until doubled

in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch dough down and let rise

1 hour more

half. Shape pretzel as follows: Roll dough into a

30 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in

diameter. Cross the ends leaving a large loop in the

center. Flip loop back onto crossed ends to form a

pretzel. Repeat with remaining dough. Place pretzels

on greased baking sheets. Let rise 15 minutes more.

375 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes or until

golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Mix confectioners'

sugar, water and vanilla to form a thin icing. Spread

icing on pretzels and sprinkle with chopped almonds.

Makes 2 large pretzels. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -