Pretzel Dogs

I love big soft pretzels.  Hence, my post on making homemade pretzels here.  On an icy day, with no where to go and a package of polish sausage in the fridge, I decided to see if I could make some pretzel dogs.  There are a lot of things that I try that are flops, but I must say that these pretzel dogs are SOoOo good.  It says something if I am able please everyone in my family (which is a near impossible task when it comes to meals in my home).  Therefore, after seeing everyone's empty plates, I am pleased to say that this is an absolute winner in my family.

Pretzel Dgs

1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 package active dry yeast
22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for pan
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt
16 sausage or hot dogs

Directions

Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with a towel and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. I used a silicon liner which doesn't require vegetable oil.  Set aside.

Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope.

Wrap the dough around the sausage or hot dog.

I used enormous polish sausage links which were nearly double the size of a regular hot dog, but if you use regular hot dogs, the dough would probably cover more of it.  Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.

  

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, one by one, for 30 seconds. 

Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. I slightly drained it a bit on a cookie sheet.

 

Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt.

 
Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

 This is an incredibly easy recipe and it turned out fantastic!

My husband asked for seconds, right after he asked me where I bought them.  He had no idea they were made from scratch!  I will be definitely making these again. 

Especially since there are no left overs ;)