Pumpkin Spice Glazed Soft Pretzel Bites

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