Doesn't that alliteration just make you think of the pumpkin flavored sense of awesome that only Heaven can taste like? Say it with me: Pumpkin. Praline. Pretzels. Take it in.
I'll give you a moment to recuperate.
Alright, let's get back to business.
This might be one of the most difficult things I've ever made. But, it also might be one of the best things I've ever made.
There's nothing HARD per se about making these. But, they are time consuming. And you'll probably want to wear an apron as things WILL get messy. In the end, it will all be worth it when you take that first, amazing, decadent, delicious, scrumtralescent bite.
// INGREDIENTS //
Pumpkin Praline Topping:
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter
3 Tablespoons milk
1 Tablespoon pumpkin puree
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Pretzel Dough:
1 packet Fleishmann's Yeast
1 and ½ cups warm water
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
4.25 cups all-purpose flour
9 cups water
2/3 baking soda
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Topping
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
// DIRECTIONS //
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line two large cookie sheets with tin foil (spray if using foil) or parchment paper.
2. Make the praline topping first- Following this recommended order to things will make the pretzel making process go by much faster! Add the brown sugar, butter, and milk to a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the mixture continuously. Once it is smooth, bring to a boil for 1 minute without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the pumpkin and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Set aside and allow to thicken for at least 20 minutes.
3. Make the pretzels: Whisk in yeast with 1.5 cups warm water until it dissolves completely. Whisk in the salt and brown sugar. Slowly add the flour 1 cup at a time. Mix with a large wooden spoon (or plastic; not silverware!) until dough is thick and not sticky. After 4 cups of flour. A tip from
Sally's Baking Addiction to tell when you've hit the right consistency: Poke the dough with your finger. If it bounces back, it is ready to knead. If not, add a bit more flour.
Place the dough onto a floured surface. Knead the dough for approximately 3 minutes and shape into a ball. Cut into 8-9 segments. Roll each section into a 20-inch rope with an even diameter.
Another tip from Sally: "Take the ends of the rope and form a giant U shape. Take the ends, twist them, and bring them in towards yourself creating a pretzel shape."
Whisk 9 cups of water and baking soda together in a large pot and bring to a boil. Place a pretzel onto a large slotted spatula and dip into the boiling water for 30 seconds. The pretzel will float. Lift the pretzel out of the water and place onto greased baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the pretzels.
Bake for 10 minutes.
4. While the pretzels are in the oven, melting butter in a small bowl. Mix granulated sugar and spices together in another small bowl. Once the pretzels are golden brown, remove the pretzels from oven and brush with the melted butter. Generously sprinkle with the sugar/spice mixture. Place back into the oven and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with more sugar/pumpkin spice if desired.
5. Lastly, drizzle your praline topping to desired amount on top of the pretzels. Voila! Brush yourself off and eat up. You did it!
Modified From Sally's Baking Addiction
(Found At World Market): Yes. Yes. And more yes. Sweet and spicy all up in mah mouth!
(Found at Wal-Mart): I haven't tried this yet. But, it looks magical. And that's all that matters. Anyone tried it?
(Found at Wal-Mart): I am pleasantly surprised to find these back on the shelves after a discovering them a year or so ago. And I'm wondering why I haven't tried them in a s'mores fashion yet. Yummo.
(Found at Trader Joe's): These, by far, take the cake. Or bar, as it were. These are divine and delectable and you don't even have to feel bad about eating them. Fine way to start the day!