Homemade Pretzel Buns

These buns did not turn out as pretty as I hoped. I was pretty bummed with the look of them. However. once I bit into them I forgot about the look of them. They had the perfect pretzel flavor, chewy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. Absolutely delicious and a nice change of pace from a traditional bun.

Homemade Pretzel Buns

Ingredients:

Buns

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup warm milk
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast

Water Bath

• 2 quarts water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/4 cup baking soda

For Baking

• 1 egg, beaten

Directions:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook, combine all of the ingredients for the buns. Knead until a smooth dough is formed.
2. Remove the dough and grease the bowl. Return dough to the bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
3. Let rise for 1 hour or until dough has doubled.
4. Lightly punch down the dough and transfer to a lightly greased work surface.
5. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape each piece into a smooth ball.
6. Place the balls on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cover with same kitchen towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 400º F.
8. Prepare the water bath by bringing the water, salt and baking soda to a boil in a large pot.
9. Drop a few dough balls into the water bath, but do not over crowd.
10. Cook the dough balls for 30 seconds, then flip over and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
11. Remove dough ball with a slotted spoon and return to baking sheet.
12. Use a sharp knife and cut 2- half inch deep slits into the center of each bun.
13. Brush the top of the bun with the beaten egg.
14. Bake for 20-24 minutes or until they are a deep dark brown.
15. Cool on a cooling rack.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:
After brushing with the egg and before baking you can sprinkle them with some coarse sea salt.

Serves: 8
Calories: 264
Total Fat: 3.5g
   Saturated: 2.1g
   Polyunsaturated: 0.1g
   Monounsaturated: 0.8g
   Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 86.8mg
Potassium: 101.8mg
Total Carbs: 49.8g
   Dietary Fiber: 2.2g
   Sugars: 2.6g
Protein: 8.1g
Vitamin A: 2.8%
Vitamin C: 0.1%
Calcium: 1.4%
Iron: 14%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from Tide & Thyme.