{"id":102384,"date":"2019-03-28T14:06:07","date_gmt":"2019-03-28T19:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/?p=102384"},"modified":"2021-06-04T14:37:32","modified_gmt":"2021-06-04T19:37:32","slug":"how-to-make-ballpark-pretzels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/leisure\/food-drink\/how-to-make-ballpark-pretzels\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Ballpark Pretzels"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pretz2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102509 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pretz2.jpg\" alt=\"Poster by Art of Manliness about making Ballpark Pretzels.\" width=\"650\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pretz2.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pretz2-372x230.jpg 372w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pretz2-320x197.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/pretz2-640x394.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Spring is here, and so is the baseball season, and with these atmospheric and&nbsp;athletic shifts, my thoughts are turning to warm evenings spent at the stadium with a cold beverage in one hand, and a big pretzel &#8212; with a soft inside and a crisp brown crust &#8212; in the other.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Happily, however, one need not live out this picturesque scene only on game days: you can in fact make delicious ballpark pretzels right at home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These are admittedly a little bit involved, so it&#8217;s not a great project for the newbie baker. But if you&#8217;re a seasoned pro, or if all you&#8217;ve ever made are simple loaves of bread, soft pretzels are a good way to take your skills up a notch if you have a few hours to kill on a weekend afternoon.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Ingredients<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>3 3\/4 cups bread flour (450 grams if using a scale)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>4 tsp salt (Plus about 2 tsp more for dusting pretzels at the time of baking. You want to use a salt on top of the pretzels with a bigger flake\/&#8221;grain&#8221; that will hold up on the crust; if it&#8217;s too fine &#8212; like regular table salt &#8212; it&#8217;ll just get absorbed into the dough. I used Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt for both mixing into the dough and as a topping, which worked fine; you can also use special pretzel salt.)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>2 tsp instant yeast&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>1 1\/2 cups water, room temperature&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>2 tbsp vegetable oil&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>2 tbsp brown sugar&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>1\/4 cup baking soda&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Note: it&#8217;s easier if you have a stand mixer, but it&#8217;s certainly not a must.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Directions&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<h3>Step 1: Mix Ingredients&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<p>In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast.&nbsp;In a large measuring cup, whisk water, oil, and brown sugar together<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102394 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dry-ingredients.jpg\" alt=\"Whisking flour, salt, and yeast together in a bowl.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dry-ingredients.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dry-ingredients-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dry-ingredients-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;until sugar is dissolved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102402 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wet-ingredients.jpg\" alt=\"Water, oil and brown sugar mixed in a cup.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wet-ingredients.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wet-ingredients-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wet-ingredients-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Step 2: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients<\/h3>\n<p>Using the dough hook on low speed (if using a stand mixer), slowly pour in the wet mixture, increasing the speed to medium until a cohesive and elastic dough forms and clears the sides of the bowl. Should take a few minutes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102393 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dough.jpg\" alt=\"Dough displayed in a bowl.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dough.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dough-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dough-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Step 3: Knead Dough and Let Rise<\/h3>\n<p>Transfer dough to a lightly floured counter (or baking mat) and knead until a smooth ball forms. Will just take a minute or two. Place into a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled, 1 1\/2 to 2 hours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102392 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dough-ball.jpg\" alt=\"Dough displayed in a baking mat.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dough-ball.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dough-ball-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dough-ball-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_102391\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102391\" class=\"wp-image-102391 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/doubled.jpg\" alt=\"Smooth dough spread in a baking mat.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/doubled.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/doubled-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/doubled-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-102391\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The magic of yeast!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Step 4: Flatten the Dough and Cut Into Strips<\/h3>\n<p>After doubled, transfer dough to counter or baking mat. Deflate and press into a large rectangle roughly 12 x 6 inches. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 12 one-inch strips.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_102398\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102398\" class=\"wp-image-102398 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rectangle.jpg\" alt=\"Flattened dough displayed.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rectangle.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rectangle-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rectangle-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-102398\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A baking mat not only preserves your counter and makes cleanup a breeze, it also gives you handy measuring assistance.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102400 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/strips.jpg\" alt=\"Dough cut into strips.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/strips.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/strips-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/strips-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Step 5: Form Dough &#8220;Ropes&#8221; Into Pretzels<\/h3>\n<p>Time to form the pretzels. Work with one strip of dough at a time, and start by rolling\/stretching it into a long rope, about 20 inches long (doesn&#8217;t have to be exact). Getting the rope to be as uniform in thickness as you can will be helpful, just for the sake of evenly shaped pretzels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102399 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rope.jpg\" alt=\"Forming Dough &quot;Ropes&quot; Into pretzels.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rope.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rope-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rope-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Next, form a large U with the rope, about 2 inches wide at the bottom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102401 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/u-shape.jpg\" alt=\"Dough transformed into large U-shape structure.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/u-shape.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/u-shape-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/u-shape-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Cross the right side over the left, and then cross the right over the left once more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102389 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/criss-cross.jpg\" alt=\"Dough transformed into round rope like structure.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/criss-cross.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/criss-cross-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/criss-cross-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now bring the top part down to form that classic pretzel shape, and press the ends into the bottom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102397 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/formed-pretzel.jpg\" alt=\"Dough transformed into classic pretzel shape.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/formed-pretzel.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/formed-pretzel-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/formed-pretzel-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Arrange them on two greased baking sheets (or on one, and working in 2 batches). Let rise about 15 minutes, until they&#8217;re puffy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While the pretzels are rising, preheat the oven to 425.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102386 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/baking-sheet.jpg\" alt=\"Classic pretzel shaped dough ready to bake.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/baking-sheet.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/baking-sheet-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/baking-sheet-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Step 6: Boil the Pretzels<\/h3>\n<p>Dissolve the baking soda in 4 cups of water in a large Dutch oven (or large pot) and bring to a boil. The baking soda will make it very bubbly, and this &#8220;bath&#8221; is what gives the pretzel its deep brown color and crisp exterior &#8220;skin.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Using a spatula, transfer 2-3 risen pretzels, knot side down, to the boiling water. Cook for 15 seconds, then flip the pretzels and cook for another 15 seconds or so. Those don&#8217;t have to be exact times, but close. Then transfer back to a cooling rack and let them rest 5 minutes. Repeat until all pretzels are done. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B000YDO2MK\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B000YDO2MK&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=stucosuccess&amp;linkId=FSXA3GZUT5SFDAZ4\">A slotted spatula works really well<\/a>&nbsp;for this step if you have one \u2014 often called a fish turner, the thing is worth its weight in gold and is used all the time in our household.)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102387 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/boiling.jpg\" alt=\"Boiling the pretzels.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/boiling.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/boiling-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/boiling-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102385 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/after-boiling.jpg\" alt=\"Pretzels after boiling.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/after-boiling.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/after-boiling-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/after-boiling-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Step 7: Salt and Bake Pretzels<\/h3>\n<p>Grease the baking sheet(s) and dust with about a teaspoon of salt. Place 6 pretzels on a sheet, and dust the tops with another teaspoon or so of salt.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bake pretzels for 15 minutes, until they&#8217;re a dark golden brown. If using two baking sheets they can be cooked together, but I did them in two batches. When done, transfer to cooling rack and let rest about 15 minutes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102388 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cooling-rack.jpg\" alt=\"Baked pretzels with salt topping.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cooling-rack.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cooling-rack-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cooling-rack-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Step 8: Enjoy!<\/h3>\n<p>Serve with warmed cheese (or another favorite dip) and devour!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-102390 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dipping.jpg\" alt=\"Pretzels served with warm cheese.\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dipping.jpg 650w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dipping-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dipping-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spring is here, and so is the baseball season, and with these atmospheric and&nbsp;athletic shifts, my thoughts are turning to warm evenings spent at the stadium with a cold beverage in one hand, and a big pretzel &#8212; with a soft inside and a crisp brown crust &#8212; in the other.&nbsp; Happily, however, one need [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":102510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,222,42273],"tags":[42283],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-102384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-food-drink","category-living","tag-recipes"],"featured_image_urls":{"large":"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/final-header-1-538x280.jpg","aom":"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/final-header-1-372x230.jpg","reactor-320":"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/final-header-1-320x213.jpg","reactor-640":"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2019\/03\/final-header-1-640x426.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102384"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":102446,"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102384\/revisions\/102446"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/102510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102384"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/app-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=102384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}