Our vacation from healthy eating...

We've really cut back on snacks and baked goods around here. Even though I love to bake...and love to eat. We've cut back. Really.

On weekends, however, we sometimes splurge a little.

Auntie Anne's was giving away free soft pretzels on Saturday. Yummy. We had no real reason to go to the mall, however, so we stayed home and made our own!

We had soft pretzels for dinner and dessert! For the first course (hahaha) we put garlic powder, Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni on top before baking. We dipped in marinara sauce and called it a meal. Actually, the kids thought it was genius and "one of the best suppers EVER!"

Of course, dessert was more soft pretzels...this time brushed with butter and coated with sugar and cinnamon.

Yeah...I guess I need to "cut back" a little more. :]

Super Yummy Soft Pretzels
(and they're not even covered in chocolate!)

1 1/4 cups warm water
1 tablespoon plus 1/4 teaspoon yeast
3 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons coconut oil

BATH
4 cups warm water
1/2 cup baking soda

CINNAMON TOPPING
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let sit for a few minutes until foamy. Combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add water with yeast and oil. Stir together and knead for 5 minutes on lightly floured surface. Dough will be smooth when ready. Place dough in lightly oiled bowl, cover, and store in a warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Make a bath for pretzels by combining the baking soda with the warm water and stir until baking soda is mostly dissolved.

Divide dough into 8 even portions. Roll each portion on a flat non-floured surface until it is about 3 feet long. Pick up both ends of dough and give it a little spin so the middle of the dough spins around once. Lay the dough down with the loop nearest you. Fold the ends down toward you and pinch to attach them to the bottom of the loop.

Holding the pinched ends, dip each pretzel into the bath solution. Put each pretzel on a paper towel for a moment to blot the excess liquid. Arrange the pretzels on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. If you want salt, sprinkle on now. Don't salt pretzels you plan to coat with cinnamon sugar. Bake each sheet separately. Bake pretzels for 4 minutes, then spin pan halfway around and bake for another 4 to 5 minutes or until pretzels are golden brown.

Brush unsalted pretzels with melted butter and coat with cinnamon sugar mix.

Indulge...diet tomorrow :)


*adapted from Todd Wilbur's recipe