I had so many plans for yesterday and a whole list of things to get done on her but David got home and after going out to eat we spent time watching tv together. Even though I had plans to get back online I was tired and feel asleep early which I needed more than you know. Putting me a day late sharing the holiday for April 26 National Pretzel Day #NationalPretzelDay.
My question for you is do you like Pretzel’s? I like the ones that come in bags at the Grocery Store but not the one’s purchased at local Malls and Craft Stores which David likes all of them and Charlie is just like me and only likes the ones in local grocery stores in ready-to- purchase bags. Before I share facts about the Holiday if you enjoy a funny story ask David about Pretzel’s, the North East Mall and the night I went into delivery with Charlie.
Most people would agree Pretzel’s are special! While, at first, it might seem like an average snack made of Bread dough, it is so much more than that. The rich Bready smell, the burst of Salt in the mouth as the first bite is taken, and in some situations, the delicious flavor of Cheese or another sauce that it can be dipped into.
Or, on the other end of the spectrum, there are those people who prefer the crunch of the kind of Pretzels you purchase in a bag at the store. Pretzels’ can be an amazing addition to any snack mix. Some might even say Pretzel’s are the very foundation of sports gatherings everywhere. Whatever your personal preference is, National Pretzel Day celebrates this delicious treat in all of its forms. Grab a Pretzel or two and sit back and taste one of the most delightful of snack-based days!
Like all food-related holidays, starting with a little history of where the food came from is a great way to get to know the background of the Holiday. The story of the Pretzel is particularly fun, especially as this day shares a theme with Candy Canes, which is another well-known favorite. Candy Cane Pretzels, dusted with crushed Candy Canes–instead of Salt–and glazed with frosting, are a fun unique Wintertime Treat.
Legend has it that, at some time during the Middle Ages, Catholic Monks were trying to figure out what to do with little bits of Dough they had that were leftover after baking their loaves of Bread. They didn’t want to be wasteful. So, clever as the Monks were, they came up with what is now known as the Pretzel. The method included folding the Dough into the shape of praying hands, or a knot that represented the Holy Trinity, depending on who happens to be telling the story at the moment.
Since that time, the Pretzel has evolved into a much-loved treat that has seen many uses and varieties. Some of the more common ways Pretzel’s have been used including representing marriages where the term ‘tying the knot’ came into prominence also into modern-day as a popular addition to concession stands at Carnivals and Fairs and Events of all kinds.
The origin of the hard Pretzel is a bit more recent and is among the ranks of other great accidental discoveries including the Potato Chip! Apparently, when a Pretzel is left in the oven for a longer period of time, it will bake into a crisp and crunchy bit of deliciousness. The story goes that, when this happened, a baker was so pleasantly surprised with the result that he took the time to perfect the recipe. Now these crispy little treats are an extremely popular snack! Inspired and delicious, National Pretzel Day comes as the celebration of all things related to Pretzel’s.
Let’s celebrate National Pretzel Day
In celebration of National Pretzel Day grab a Free or Discounted Pretzel from one of the many companies and stores celebrating National Pretzel Day by offering free or discounted Pretzels to their customers. After all, sometimes the best way to get someone started on a snack is to give them the first one free!
Check out these Pretzel shops to see what might be on offered this year:
- Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Considered to be the “world’s largest hand-rolled soft Pretzel franchise, this Lancaster, PA chain has a lot to offer! In 2020, stores celebrated by giving away 25,000 free soft Pretzels to frontline workers. In past years, people who participate with the company’s Pretzel Perks app have been offered Buy One Get One Free soft Pretzels. Not only do they have almost 1800 stores in the US, they also reach at least 25 other Countries including Russia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Chile, Mexico, Egypt and the Bahamas.
- Pretzelmaker. In previous years, customers who have the Pretzelmaker Rewards app qualify for a free Pretzel on National Pretzel Day! Did you know there is more than 280 stores throughout the US as well as Guam, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
- Wetzel’s Pretzels. Although this chain doesn’t seem to give out free Pretzels, in the past offered a coupon good for a free beverage with the purchase of a soft Pretzel. Stores can be found in more than 300 locations around the world, including 28 US States and five other Countries.
In our Homeschool Cooking Class this morning I would like for Charlie to feel adventurous, and to try making Pretzels at home. Charlie can use one of the hundreds of recipes found online. For an easier time of it, some grocery stores sell the large version of frozen Pretzels that can be baked in the oven at home and then served warm. Depending on the amount of time we have and what David has planned for the day we may cheat and go with the Frozen Pretzels this morning and then we would have time to decorate them. Would you like to help us?
For even more fun when were at the grocery store on our Homeschool Field Trip Charlie and I will be picking up the following ingredients including Cheese, Chocolate, Caramel, Honey Mustard, Marinara Sauce, Cream Cheese and Fruit Sauces. Then we will invite our friends and family over for a tasting party. We will all vote on which Sauce we like the best. Would you like to join us?
Start Snacking with Crunchy Pretzels
It only makes sense to spend National Pretzel Day purchasing whatever is your favorite variety of Pretzel and enjoying it as a snack. Try famous brands including Rold Gold or Snyder’s of Hanover. Or grab a few bags from a local producer. Add small Pretzel twists to Chex Cereal with Nuts and Spices, then bake it into a superb snack mix. Or eat Pretzels straight out of the bag, dipping into Peanut Butter, Hummus, Cream Cheese or Ranch Dressing.
Recipe for Pretzels
Prep Time: 40 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Additional Time: 1 hour 10 mins
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 pretzels
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C), or more as needed
- 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, or more as needed
- ½ cup baking soda
- 4 cups hot water
- ¼ cup kosher salt, for topping
Directions
- Pour 1 ¼ cups warm water into a medium bowl. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
- Mix flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center; add yeast mixture and oil. Mix well and form into a dough. If mixture is dry, add one or two more tablespoons of water.
- Mix flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center; add yeast mixture and oil. Mix well and form into a dough. If mixture is dry, add one or two more tablespoons of water.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
- Pour 4 cups hot water into a large bowl. Stir in baking soda until dissolved; set aside.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape.
- Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda-hot water solution and place on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda-hot water solution and place on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie David Cates
