September 22, 2013

Pumpkin Spice Glazed Soft Pretzel Bites

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I'm officially obsessed with pumpkin. My family asks why I put it in everything

I don't know ... it's September ... and pumpkin season ... and the leaves are turning orange (not) ... and I like it and that's enough on its own, right?


Regardless of the pumpkin in these, my brothers loved them. They ate all of both batches with me. I made two batches of these and I redid them for two reasons. Reason #1 My brothers didn't even know there was pumpkin, which is normally good, but in this case, I wanted there to be a pumpkin flavor. Reason #2 A couple hours after I made these, Sally posted this recipe. Soooo I decided to wait. 

That obviously didn't work very well as I am posting today, not sometime in November.


I couldn't wait!  These are so good!  They have that chewiness of soft pretzels and the flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon and I personally like that they are pretzel bites because then I can keep taking more and more. 
 
 
The dough is very simple to mix together and then you just let it rise for an
hour.  Then you cut your dough (bench scrapers work amazing for this) into bite sized chunks. Toss them in boiling water/baking soda for 30 seconds and then pop in the oven for 15 minutes.  I used to be scared of yeast breads. And making soft pretzels. But this recipe is so simple and so easy I've made this twice and am making it again this week. Trust me, this is a keeper. 


Our volleyball games went really well!  The games were behind schedule and so I didn't get lunch until almost 2:00, which according to my stomach, is just unacceptable. So I will admit, I was focused on food but we did win. Our second game was much harder and although we lost, we had a great comeback from 21-13 to tie it at 21 before they won. That was really fun. And then we won our third game. Our varsity football team had a game the sane place right after our games, so it was fun to hang out with the volleyball team and watch the football game, even though two if our best players got hurt (knee and collarbone, I think)  As I was riding home with Anna, we were talking about how in volleyball, it's all "I popped a blood vessel in my thumb!" and everyone's like, "Oh I am so sorry!" And in football, it's like, "I broke my collarbone," and the team is like, "great effort, shake it off!"  I'm so glad Nathan enjoys football, but I willl not do well if he hurts himself. :)  I'm praying he makes it through this season with only bruises and no broken bones!

 

Pumpkin Spice Glazed Soft Pretzel Bites
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life.  Adapted from here.

For pretzels: 
1-1/2 cup whole wheat flour 
1-1/2 cup all purpose flour 
1/3 cup brown sugar 
1 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 
1 teaspoon cinnamon 
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons butter, melted 
1/2 cup warm water 
1 packet yeast 

For pumpkin spice glaze:
3/4 cup powdered sugar 
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (you can use more or less depending on preference) 
2 tablespoons pumpkin purée 
Water (I started out with 2-3 tablespoons, but you may have to add more or less, depending on desired constancy) 

For pretzels:

Dissolve yeast in warm water and stir.  Layer yeasted water, pumpkin puree, melted butter, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and flours.  Knead in a Bosch bowl (or something like that) for several minutes or knead by hand.  Let rise for an hour. 

Once dough has risen, roll into ropes and cut ropes into 2 inch squares.  Bring a pot of water to boil and add a couple tablespoons of baking soda.  Boil pretzel bites for 30 seconds and then place on a greased baking sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

For glaze.  Whisk all ingredients together.  Serve with pretzels. 

If you are tired of pumpkin (it's gonna be a long two months!) but I have Things I'm Loving post and peanut butter and chocolate recipe coming up next week!  
Hugs!
Mary Frances 

33 comments:

  1. This sounds so delicious! I'm gathering lots of pumpkins recipes now ours are starting to look like something you can work with.. Definitely going to try these pretzels!
    I'm really curious though: why do you boil them with baking soda for 30 seconds? o.o I just can't imagine what good it'd do.

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    1. You know, I didn't know why you boiled soft pretzels before baking, thats just what I've always seen and heard people do. I noticed differences between the two batches (I didn't boil the first one, did the second) and they were that the pretzel bites from the second batch puffed up while boiling and so were a little "fluffier" after being baked (if that makes sense) and the edges were a little crustier and the middles a little chewier. Overall, they had better texture than the ones that weren't boiled. Afer reading this article (http://www.savvyeat.com/brain-food-101-why-you-need-to-boil-your-pretzels-in-baking-soda/) I realized the reason for baking soda is it gives the pretzel its shiny crust and distinctive flavor (in addition to the puffing up and texture I mentioned before)

      So SUPER long answer, but I hope it helped! Thanks and let me know what you think if you try them!

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    2. I've heard boiling also makes them chewier :)

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  2. Delicious! Pumpkin should be celebrated all the time so keep adding in that pumpkin girl! Go pumpkin crazy! Pumpkin there, pumpkin here, pumpkin everywhere! I love pumpkin!

    I've had "pretzels" on my list to make for months now, I think it's time! Thanks! :)

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    1. It each! Glad to know we can be crazy together! I hope you try some soft pretzel recipe - they're amazing!

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  3. I'm obsessed with pumpkin too!! And I love these pretzel bites. Great combo of flavors!

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    1. It's kind of obligatory, I've decided;)
      Thanks!

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  4. It is PUMPKIN SEASON!! (And apple cider!) These pretzels look so good!

    Honestly, I get apprehensive when Tyler stays on the ground, but the worrying waits until I know what happened. When I saw him laying on the ground last night holding his helmet? That scared me! I do NOT like it when his helmet comes off. Nuh-uh.

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    1. Oh apple cider - love it, especially when we add it to wassail. Mmmm:)
      I agree, when their protection comes off, I do not like that! Of course, I always assume the worst ... Not good for staying calm! So did Tyler break his collarbone?

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  5. These look wonderful, I love pretzel bites and the pumpkin addition sounds genius! I'm so glad you won the match, by the way! :D

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    1. Thanks Consuelo! Pretzel and pumpkin is a new favorite combo! I'll probably come back to it again;)

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  6. I actually tried those pumpkin pretzels after Sally posted the recipe..so good! I love that you made pretzel bites though-the bites are my favorite! And I totally understand your pumpkin addiction, I am the same way! Love it

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    1. I want to try her version, too - the glaze looked so good! Thanks Meghan!

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  7. Oh, Mary Frances, these look delicious! Your pictures are absolutely beautiful... definitely pinterest (and famous food magazine)-ready. I love the looks of your pumpkin glaze! I've never seen pumpkin in any frosting-type thing before! I really want to go home and make these. You can't go wrong with yeast bread and pumpkin! Great post.

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    1. Aw thanks Hannah ... I really liked these (natural light makes a huge difference) putting pumpkin in the glaze was fun;) and like you said, yeast breads are amazing! Thank you!

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  8. I've been meaning to try pretzels and this pumpkin love is winning me over!! I saw the one Sally posted as well but never tried it. I love these bites and can't wait to try them. Looks less daunting than the full size pretzels.
    PS: Great job on the games this weekend!

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    1. These are easier than pretzels, but still delicious. Hope you can try soft pretzels; they're so fun! Thanks!

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  9. Pretzel bites are genius! All the deliciousness of pretzels and none of the annoying work of rolling the dough and shaping it! Instant gratification at its finest. And it's toooootally pumpkin season now (hello, it's fall, even the calendar agrees) so making these is obviously a necessity!

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    1. I know, officially fall! Thanks Liz! I can't decide if necessity or lack of time is the mother of invention! ;)

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  10. These sound and look so very delicious! Every fiber of my being wants them right now! I am loving everything pumpkin. Congratulations on your wins!

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  11. Is it possible for a recipe to get any more perfect???? I really don't think so! Congrats on your wins!

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    1. I prett much have to agree with you;) Thanks Davida!

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  12. Yum!! These look delicious Mary Frances. I have never tried or made flavored pretzels before. I have to give it a try!! :)

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    1. Flavored pretzels are something I'm going to make again this year - they are delicious! And they are really quite easy. Thanks Ms. Lisa!

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  13. Love love love these!!! I would have helped you eat both of your batches too!! :)

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    1. Thanks! I could've used the help ... I had, like, 100 pretzel bites lying around the house!

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  14. Could you make the dough in a bread maker?

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    1. I'm sorry this has taken me so long to get back to you on. I apologize! Are you asking if you can bake this into a loaf? Or if you can just mix the dough together? I'm not familiar with bread makers, but as long as it doesn't prematurely bake the dough, I think it should be fine.

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  15. These were incredible!!! I brought them to a Thanksgiving brunch and to a dinner party and everyone absolutely loved them. (I dipped some in the praline topping from the other recipe you mentioned and they disappeared in minutes at both parties) Thank you for the wonderful recipe!!

    Now if you could create a recipe for gingerbread soft pretzels you would be my hero!

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    1. I am so glad you liked them!!! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. I had never thought of gingerbread pretzels! Now I really want to try it, thank you for the idea!

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