Pretzel Rolls!

I've been dreaming about Pretzel Rolls ever since I had them in Houston, TX... they are just little balls of deliciousness! My friend Kristen over at The Perfect Wife introduced me to the website How Sweet It Is and I am obsessed! (definitely check out their site - their recipe today is Crispy Margarita Chicken Tacos with Strawberry Avocado Salsa!) I was browsing the site the other day and came across heaven. The perfect recipe for Pretzel Rolls!! I haven't made them yet, but plan to this weekend to serve as hamburger buns :) Enjoy!

Ingredients

•1-½ cup Warm Water (110°F)

•1 package (1/4 Oz. Packet) Active Dry Yeast (not Quick Rise Yeast)

•2 teaspoons Sugar

•4-½ cups Unbleached All-purpose Flour

•2 teaspoons Kosher Salt

•4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted

•¼ cups Baking Soda

•1 whole Egg, Lightly Beaten

•Pretzel Salt, To Sprinkle On Top

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water and the yeast and let rest 5 minutes until foamy.

Add the sugar, flour, salt, and butter; mix with the dough hook until thoroughly combined. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk. Punch down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.

Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.

Cut the dough into 18 pieces (2 ounces each). To shape, take a piece of dough and start forming a round, smooth ball by pulling the sides to the center and pinching to seal. Place, pinched side down, on a counter and lightly cupping your hand around the dough ball, rotate your hand in small circles lightly rolling the ball around the palm of your hand.

Place the ball on the baking sheet pinched seam side down, with at least 1” between each roll. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes until doubled.

Preheat oven to 425°F and place oven racks on the lowest and middle positions.

In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a low boil. Add the baking soda and lower heat to a simmer. Put the rolls into the poaching liquid, seam side down. Poach for 30 seconds then carefully turn the roll over in the liquid. Poach other side for 30 seconds then remove with a slotted spoon to the same prepared sheet pans, seam side down. Repeat with the remaining rolls.

With a pastry brush, glaze each roll with the lightly beaten egg, making sure to coat all sides completely. Top each roll with a sprinkle of pretzel salt. With a sharp straight edged knife, cut a slash or “X” in the top of each roll.

Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.