ASIAGO PRETZEL TWIST

 
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for some reason, the thought of making pretzels from scratched scared me! i mean, you have to boil them in water THEN bake them?! but this all changed once i had the asiago pretzel from starbucks. i knew i had to recreate this level of deliciousness into something even better. so i did my research until i found the perfect recipe [adapted from just a taste], and guess what! they turned out pretty damn perfect. so here it is, i highly suggest you give it a shot*.

* i mixed the asiago cheese into the batter, however sprinkling it on top instead of the coarse salt prior to baking works too.

ASIAGO PRETZEL TWIST (makes 8-10 twist)

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon raw sugar
  • 1 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup grated asiago cheese
  • 1/2 cup baking soda (for boiling pretzels)
  • 1 egg yolk & 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  1. in the stand mixer bowl, mix warm water, raw sugar, and salt. sprinkle the yeast on top (but do not stir in) and let it sit for 5 minutes. if it does not begin to foam, check the expiration date on your yeast!
  2. with the dough attachment on your mixer, add one cup of flour and all the butter to the bowl. mix until combined.
  3. add grated cheese and remaining flour and mix/knead until the dough becomes smooth and pulls away from the bowl.
  4. form into a ball, and let it sit in the mixing bowl covered for an hour (or until it has doubled in size).
  5. preheat the oven to 425ºF and line two sheets with parchment paper.
  6. in a separate dutch oven, mix 6 cups of boiling water with the baking soda.
  7. once the water begins to boil, roll your dough into your desired twist/pretzel shape and boil individually for 30 seconds.
  8. place each twist onto your baking tray and brush with egg wash and a sprinkle of coarse salt.
  9. bake until the pretzels become a golden brown, approximately 12-15 minutes.

BANANA BREAD/MUFFINS

 

 happy spring:) there is nothing that makes me happier then the sight of rotten bananas! i use to hate any form of banana unless it was mashed into a cake/bread.. but banana & i are cool now. this recipe is honestly the best banana bread you will ever make! i have come up with the perfect balance of butter and oil, because why chose just one? i also use raw sugar in and on top of the banana bread for the texture (& health benefits i suppose). the results will be a moist, dense, sweet bread that you can add just about anything you like into it (walnuts, chocolate, raisins [yuck] & more chocolate). 

BANANA BREAD (makes one loaf or 12 muffins)

ingredients

  • 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1 cup raw sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • raw sugar, to sprinkle on top

directions

  1. preheat the oven to 325°F and butter a loaf pan.
  2. in a mixing bowl, mash bananas with the melted butter and oil.
  3. stir in raw sugar, egg, and vanilla until combined.
  4. sift in cinnamon, flour, baking soda, and salt. mix until just combined.
  5. pour into loaf pan and sprinkle with raw sugar.
  6. bake until the top is golden brown and you a toothpick comes out clean, approximately 45 minutes.

 enjoy xo!