We can't think of a celebration without pretzels featured on the table! Whether Halloween, Christmas, or Easter, you can't invite friends over and not indulge in food and sweet treats! After a year full of hustle, you deserve to make a fresh start during the holidays! And honestly, there is nothing as therapeutic as chocolate-dipped Halloween pretzels. If you like to bake then this holiday makes it all about pretzels and treats! Here are some tips and ideas that will help you to make the best of the season. Let's find out!
Tips to making the best pretzels at home
1. First you need to make a dough- pretzels originated in Italy in the 7th century however you do not have to head to Europe you get yourself one! First, begin with dough at home! Make sure the dough contains yeast! This gives an elastic consistency to the dough and your pretzels turn out to be fluffy! Make sure you have covered the dough in plastic after the kneading is done! This allows the dough to rise! Spend about forty-five minutes here.
2. Boil pretzels in an alkaline solution- one of the secrets to baking the ideal pretzel involves boiling the pretzels in an alkaline solution first. The mixture can be prepared with either baking powder or lye whichever you have handy! This is because the pH level is more or less the same. You may bake pretzels at 300°F and then simmer them in an alkaline medium. The boiling ideally takes place before baking and for about thirty seconds or for each pretzel! They might appear a bit wrinkled but eventually, the surface will become smooth. Make sure you are boiling two to three in a batch and that there is no overcrowding.
3. Brush with egg wash and salt- in the end, a pretzel is seasoned with egg wash and Kosher salt which is brushed on the surface of the pretzels. This gives a salty hint to your pretzel, however, if you want a sweeter version then brush it with cinnamon, sugar, and butter. You can also opt for the vegan version of the pretzel where one brushes the surface with water.
To summarize, these are the following tips that you can use to make your pretzels soft and tender-
- You must use butter in the dough that you make out of all the ingredients. At the end as well, brush butter on the surface. This really helps to make the pretzels yummy and tender.
- You have to boil the pretzels in a solution of baking soda and water before it is put to bake in the oven! It is the treatment in the water bath which gives a crusty and inherent flavor to the pretzel.
So after much discussion if you are wondering what exactly pretzels are, then here is what you need to read!
So, what are pretzels?
Honestly, like any other treat, pretzels are good if you eat them in moderation. These are handheld buns that are shaped in the form of a knot! Pretty innovative creation we must say. Pretzels are available in two varieties! The soft pretzels are drizzled with chocolate syrup and so on! That makes them a little less healthy but speaking in general terms, soft pretzels are healthier than hard ones.
Yeast, flour, sugar, salt, and butter, the ingredients are pretty much basic. Although it originated in Italy, Austria, and France, pretzels are more popular in Germany. Now these pretzels are almost popular all around the world. Classically, it is believed that the knotted shape of the pretzels was an idea of a monk who first baked pretzels in this form to represent the structure of hands when one is praying.
The pretzels are traditionally served with salt drizzled on top however with time it emerged to be a great idea as a sweet dish! You simply need to drizzle them with chocolate chips or maple syrup, your breakfast is sorted.
Nutritional value of pretzels-
If you are a lover of these knot-shaped buns and wondering if they are good for you then this column is what you should read carefully. Pretzels are high in carbs and low in fat and proteins.
Composed of wheat flour majorly, the pretzels are rich in carbs! These are absorbed into the body and broken down into sugar to release energy. So if you are looking for something to keep you energized for longer hours of the day then add pretzels to your breakfast.
It is also high in iron and vitamin B like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and so on.
Well, of course, there is more. Pretzels also contain fibers which are essential for maintaining gut health and preventing constipation in our bodies.
What is the major point of difference between hard and soft pretzels
Now that we know there are two types of pretzels that are available in the market! You must be wondering if it is the only texture that differentiates between the two! Well, let's find out.
It is the shelf life of the pretzel which matters the most! In the case of hard and crispy pretzels, these can be stored efficiently for a longer duration of time. Hard pretzels remain fresh for about a few months whereas, in the case of the softer version, these only last for a couple of days! The calorie content in the latter is almost 2.5 times more than the former and the amount of salt added is also twice. However, soft pretzels are rich in vitamins and minerals, much more compared to hard ones.
Pretzels are high in carbs
Each serving of the hard pretzels is estimated to be 28 grams or one ounce. If you are consuming then there is one thing you should be sure about! Pretzels are not highly nutritious and hence be careful how many you are willing to have in a while. Unless you are making use of whole grain we cannot guarantee that the pretzels will be nutrition-dense or not. Pretzels are generally made from refined flour or white flour. Most of the fibers and nutrients are further removed. Hence, while pretzels are filling in the morning as breakfast, they are definitely not the most healthy choice.
Now that we have more or less discussed the origin, composition, and types of pretzels, let's talk about the recipes which you can indulge in! With a pretzel recipe at your fingertip, there is no need for you to run to the stores.
Wonderful Halloween pretzel recipes to explore this season
1. The Bloody Halloween Pretzel
Don't hold us responsible if you are freaked out by your own creation. The bloody Halloween Pretzels are dipped in white chocolate and the blood marks are designed with red chocolate!
What a magnificent treat to indulge in this season.
2. Chocolate-covered Halloween pretzel sticks
These easy-peasy and adorable pretzel sticks are adorned with rich frosting, candy eyes, and candy corns!
The delicious and chocolatey sticks are perfect to serve as gifts to the kid knocking at the door for trick or treating.
Do give it a try!
3. The easy Halloween pretzels
These pretzels are gorgeous and adorned as zombies, aliens, or pumpkins.
Adorn your pretzels in the most exotic style and indulge in the most creamy and crumbly sweet desserts ever.
Now you know what to make so you can adorn the tables!
4. Easy and fun chocolate-covered pretzels
These pretzel rods are simply fantastic and packed with flavors!
Dipped with colorful chocolate icing and adorned with sprinklers, kids will surely love this surprise.
Make the holidays special and exciting with such fun sweet creations.
5. Halloween pretzel eyeballs
The spooky and yet so cute Halloween pretzel eyeballs are a creation that is well suited to the theme of the occasion.
The combination of candy and pretzels is always the best if you are in the mood for self-indulgence this season.
6. Eerie eyeball pretzel rods
The Eerie eyeball pretzel rods are the most exotic of all kinds!
It is the season of macabre and you have to try out these colorful pretzel rods!
In fact, they are best as sweet party appetizers! Shall we try them out?
7. Halloween owl pretzels
The delicious Halloween owl pretzels are another wonderful creation that will make sure that your dessert table looks attractive!
Dipped in chocolate sauce, do give it a try to enhance the joy of the season.
So let's not waste a minute and put on our baking gloves!
8. Halloween witch brooms
These are a great crowd-pleasing recipe where the pretzels are used as the sticks, and the broomsticks and chocolate fudges are inserted at the bottom to represent the bushy end.
What a fantastic idea it is to indulge in!
9. The best mummy pretzels
The best mummy pretzels are indeed so easy for one to make!
Drizzled with white chocolate, this is a brilliant recipe that you can make during the holidays and surprise your family.
So what are you waiting for?
10. Halloween witch's finger pretzels
The green chocolate-covered pretzels resemble the witch's fingers and are indeed an excellent idea to prepare during Halloween events and parties!
Essentially if you are organizing a kid's fancy dress gathering, these pretzels are absolutely indispensable.
So let us get started quickly.
11. Pretzel skeleton cupcakes
As tempting as it sounds, the pretzel skeleton cupcakes will live up to their name with such exotic flavors it nurtures!
The adorable spiral white chocolate-dipped ghost pretzels are pierced into the center of the chocolate cupcakes and your Halloween treat is ready.
12. The shocking ghost pretzels
Perhaps these batches of ghosts have seen something scarier than themselves and hence the shocking expression on their face.
Dipped in white chocolate and adorned with spooky eyes, what a magnificent idea it is!
So what are you waiting for?
13. Halloween pretzel sticks_candy spider web
The co-web design is magnificent and designed with pretzels arranged in the form of a star!
You may use marshmallows to design the cobwebs and then display them on the dessert table.
Everyone will certainly be intrigued by your creation this season!
14. Chocolate-covered pretzel pumpkins
The delectable and gooey chocolate-covered pretzels are not only yummy but also customized to the theme of the occasion.
These scary pumpkin faces carry a sense of macabre as the hollow eyes stare back at you.
Shall we try them out?
15. Chocolate-covered Halloween pretzels
These pretzel sticks are ideal to offer to the little ones as they are eager for Halloween treats!
Making these are so easy that you can even introduce the chocolate pretzels as an appetizer at the parties too!
Let's try them out!
16. Halloween pretzel sticks
Halloween pretzel sticks are the all-time classic when it comes to indulging in the colorful treats that Halloween brings for us!
This is an extraordinary idea with a rich chocolate coating!
If you are a fan of sweets then the pretzel sticks will never disappoint you.
17. Halloween caramel pretzel bites
If you wish to convey your love and warm wishes over the holidays with something homemade to pack for friends, relatives, and neighbors then do try out the Halloween caramel pretzel bites.
Dipped in a rich sauce, these are amazing.
18. Halloween pretzel rods
The delectable Halloween pretzel rods are exactly what you need to make yourself feel elated and joyous during the holidays!
And sweets like pretzel rods are always a constant companion in this journey. Tell us how it was!
19. Halloween monster pretzels
Halloween monster pretzels are right here to leave you with a craving for more!
Honestly, they are so addictive that you will simply not be able to control yourself!
Make loads of these googly eye pretzels and enjoy them to your heart's content.
20. Halloween snacks mix
With a Halloween snack mix, you are absolutely sorted for the parties!
We will at least not be able to resist something like a snack bowl filled with sweet treats!
Can you? Dig into all sorts of shapes as you indulge in the pretzel snack mix.
Frequently asked questions associated with making Halloween pretzels
1. What is the secret ingredient to make your Halloween pretzels tasty?
Baking soda or lye mix in water is used for boiling the pretzel before baking! This gives the inherent taste to the pretzels and makes them so exotic indeed.
2. What makes a pretzel soft or hard?
It is the baking duration that determines whether you are making a hard or soft pretzel! Usually, a soft pretzel is baked for fifteen minutes while a hard pretzel needs to be baked for at least an hour.
3. What gives a shiny hint to the pretzels?
Lye is used for the preparation of pretzels! It gives a shiny hint to the pretzel buns.
4. What makes the pretzels so tasty?
Salt is used as a seasoning agent to make the pretzels even more delectable than they could ever be! You can also drizzle the buns with syrup to enhance the flavor.
5. How to make the pretzels crispy?
If you wish to acquire the crispy texture for the pretzels then you have to bake them in a microwave oven. Preheating for three to five minutes is considered essential.
6. Should pretzel dough be sticky?
Pretzel doughs need to be firm and stretchy, if they turn out to be sticky then you can pour a little more flour into it and knead again.
7. Is it necessary to boil the pretzels?
You can skip boiling your pretzels before baking but the results will not be as you expected. Boiling gives a chewy and flavorful essence to the pretzel buns!
Bottom Line- Now that you have a handful of ideas to explore this season then let's get started, shall we? Baking is a great way to keep yourself occupied during the holidays.
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