Pretzel Dogs

By KennyB07

Ingredients

• dough:
• 8 hotdogs or sausages (of the pre-cooked variety)
• 1 1/2 c. warm water (110-115°F)
• 1 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp. (1 package) active dry yeast
• 22 oz. (~4 1/2 c.) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 oz. butter, melted and cooled
• water:
• ~3 1/2 quarts of water
• 1 c. baking soda
• 1 large egg, beaten, with a splash of water
• topping:
• coarse salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from girlichef.com

Preparation

Step 1

make dough:

Combine warm water and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water and set aside for 5 minutes, until mixture is foamy.


Add the flour, salt, and melted butter. Using the dough hook, mix on low speed until well combined. Increase speed to medium and knead dough until it is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, creating a ball of dough around the dough hook, ~5 minutes or so.


The dough will be soft, pliable, and just a bit sticky. Remove from bowl, form into a ball and place in an oiled bowl. Dust the top with flour, then cover with plastic and let sit in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in size, ~1 hour.


Place baking racks in the center and upper third of the oven. Preheat oven to 425° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and lightly brush the paper with oil. (Don't skip the oiling - it’s important to brush the paper or the pretzels will stick!)


making the pretzel dogs:

Combine water and baking soda in a large pot and bring to a boil.


While the water comes to a boil, turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly oiled work surface.

If you are using whole dogs, divide dough into 8 pieces. If you are cutting the dogs in half, divide dough into 16 pieces.


You want to make a rope with each piece of dough. Start with the fingers of both hands in the center of the dough, and roll, moving your hands outward as you go. Roll the dough along the oiled surface until you have about a 24" (for whole dogs) or 12" (for half dogs) piece of rope.


Starting at one end, roll the dough around a hot dog gently (without stretching too much), pinching and sealing each end well.


When water has come to a boil, gently lower a few of the dough-wrapped dogs into the boiling water and allow to boil for 30 seconds. Using a skimmer (flat, slotted spatula), carefully remove them and place on the oiled parchment.


Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle each with some coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Slide into the oven and bake until they are a deep, golden brown, ~12-14 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool a bit...but serve them warm!


notes:

When in doubt, use 2 trays - these need space around them to help the air circulate and brown them better.
If possible, I recommend weighing (as opposed to measuring) the ingredients. I found the weights to be EXACT. This dough is a dream to work with.


These are best enjoyed the same day that they are made. HOWEVER, if you don't eat them all right away, then double-wrap them in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. When ready to serve, remove them from the plastic. Wrap each one well in a piece of foil and bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for ~12 minutes, or until heated through.