Friday 10 May 2013

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites with a Salted Caramel Dipping Sauce

Now hold on there young whippersnapper, this recipe isn't just for anyone. It comes with a serious warning: this recipe is moreish. I mean REALLY moreish, bowl-scrapingly, plate-lickingly good...

You still want it? Okay well don't say I didn't warn you.




Pretzel Bites:

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (out the tap is fine)
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 1 pack active dry yeast
  • 3oz unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 cups plain flour
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 egg, beaten mixed with 1 tbsp cold water
  • 2 tbsp sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon

Caramel Sauce:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar 
  • 6oz butter
  • 250ml double cream
  • 1 tbsp salt flakes (whatever you put in the grinder)
(Serves 4)

First of all, sorry for the slightly complicated recipe - it was originally from an American blog. You can buy a cup measure from a lot of places, Sainsbury's, Wilkos etc. or you can just use a mug or glass you have in the house - sounds silly but a 'standard' size, not a small teacup but not your huge coffee mug either. As long as you use the same mug throughout you'll be fine and can always adjust the mixture with a little more water or a little more flour if the mixture is too dry or too wet - it's definitely not an exact science.


Combine the water, sugar, yeast and butter in a bowl. You can do this in a mixer if you're lucky enough to have one or you can dive straight in with your hands like I did. Mix until the dough is smooth and can easily be kneaded into a ball without it flaking. Add more water/flour if you need too.


Coat a second bowl with the vegetable oil and add the ball of dough, making sure its coated. Cover with a clean towel and place in a warm, draft-free spot until the dough doubles in size. An hour should be fine, or you can leave it longer. 



While your dough is rising you can make your caramel sauce - this should take you 10-15 minutes. Make sure you have all your ingredients in front of you as once you start cooking it's so easy to burn the sugar so you need to keep a close eye on it. Warm a heavy saucepan on a medium heat and add the sugar, constantly mixing with a wooden spoon. The mixture will start to clump but this is normal, it will melt completely soon enough. 



Once the sugar is a deep amber colour add the butter and keep mixing until melted.  The mixture will bubble violently so be careful! Remove the pan from the heat and slowly pour in the cream. It will bubble up again so when it's calmed down then add the salt, I like using big flakes to give the sauce more texture. Leave in the pan and set aside.




Preheat your oven to 220c/Gas 7. Place a large pan of water onto boil and add the bicarbonate soda. Place the dough on a floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a sausage and cut into one inch pieces, you should get 6-8 out of each sausage. With any luck yours will be a lot neater than mine!

When the water/bicarb mix is bubbling away slide in the pretzel bites and boil for 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon and place on kitchen towel to allow the excess water to drain away. They will look horrible and slimy at this point but don't worry, they'll turn out fine. 


Place on a well greased baking tray and bake in the oven for 8 minutes. Remove and brush over with the egg wash and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar - put back in the oven and bake for another 8 minutes. Fill a dish with your caramel sauce and you are good to go!




Please don't be put off by the long recipe - it's actually quite easy, especially the caramel sauce! x

4 comments:

  1. Great post these look/sound super yummy will have to give them a go :P x

    www.krystelcouture.com

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  2. Everytime I come on your blog it makes me so hungry and my mouth water! Can I just hire you to come and be my personal chef please?

    I have nominated you for one of my Liebster Blog Awards, and would love for you to have a look and maybe carry it on with 11 of your favourite blogs! I picked you because I love your blog, and think you deserve a lot more followers and credit!

    Chels <3 HumbleHonesty

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    Replies
    1. Aww thank you Chels! I already did a liebster post (in February I think) but thanks so much! xx

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  3. These look completely amazing and I want to make them as soon as possible!!!!

    Great blog <3

    Also I've nominated you for the Liebster Award. :) It's actually a nice way to discover more blogs. :)

    http://candijessie.blogspot.com/

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