Pretzel Bread Bowls

Happy 1st of NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, this year has flown by!! I cannot believe that the cold snowy weather is just around the corner and that my summer days are gone. Gone!

I LOVE eating warm soup in the winter time, as most people (besides my brothers), like doing! I am one of those people who is ALWAYS cold! No matter how many layers I have on or what I am doing, if it's under 60 degrees outside, I'm freezing. SO, soup helps warm me up!

I do have to say though, there is something better than just eating soup in a plain old bowl... Why not have it in a bread bowl!?!?! Better yet, a Pretzel Bread bowl!! That just seems soooo much better doesn't it!? I have to say, these pretzel bread bowls are absolutely delicious and addicting! I am a carb-girl, I love everything bready and snacky (yes, those are both valid words)! So these were so hard not to eat more than 2! Ha.

Here's the recipe if you want to give these a try! They are not that difficult to make, but they do take about 2 hours total.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons melted butter
2 cups hot water
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 and 1/2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
6 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
8-10 cups water
1/3 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons coarse grain sea salt

Directions:
1. In a mixer bowl, combine the 3 tablespoons melted butter, 2 cups hot water and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Stir to combine and also to melt the butter.

2. Sprinkle the yeast over the top of the water and allow to proof (foam/bubble up) for 5-6 minutes.

3. With the dough hook attachment (you can also do this by hand instead of in a mixer) stir in three cups flour and two teaspoons salt. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the remaining three cups flour.

4. Mix until a dough ball forms. Continue kneading until dough becomes somewhat elastic(about 4-5 minutes). 5. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a ball. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and allow to rise for one hour. If your house is a little on the chilly side (as mine is this time of year) let the dough rise in a warmed oven. Just turn the oven on low for a couple of minutes (while you prepare the dough). Then, turn it off, but keep the door closed, trapping the heat. Before you place the dough in the oven, be sure it's not too warm, you don't want to bake the dough. Not yet anyway.

6. After and hour punch the dough down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into eight pieces and roll into small balls. Place on a greased baking sheet, cover and allow to rest for 20 minutes.

7. In a large pot heat 8-10 cups of water until just boiling. Stir in 1/3 cup baking soda. Keep at a low boil and place each dough ball into the water. Cook for 45 seconds, flipping in the middle. Remove and place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

8.Once you've boiled each ball cut a small X on the top of each dough ball with a sharp knife. Brush with the two tablespoons melted butter and top with coarse grain sea salt.

9. Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, until very brown on the outside.

10. Once the bread bowls have come out of the oven, cut a hole in the center and "dig out" the middle. Making the hole as large or as small as you want to.

11. Pour in some soup and enjoy! You can use the cut-out centers for dipping purposes! 

*I found this recipe at the link posted below, but I did change the amount of yeast needed because I did not think that they would raise as well without a bit more.

Sources: http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/10/homemade-pretzel-bread-bowls.html

I will post the recipe for the soup pictured here in a later post!! :)