Perfect Pretzel Buns and Bowls
Soup Season means two things: cute sweaters and soup. Cozy up with soup in a bread bowl! Or Make these into 8 Burger buns or 12 slider buns. Pretzel buns make everything more delish!
Ingredients
Bread Dough
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast 2 packets
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 3-4 cups flour
- 1-2 Cups Bread Flour
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
Pretzle Water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 4 cups warm water
Toppings
- Coarse salt
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
Making the Dough
- Stir the yeast in 2 cups of warm water with 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar and let it sit for about 3 minutes until frothy.
- In the mixing bowl combine salt, brown sugar, melted butter, and 2 cups of flour. Mix together by hand. Add yeast mixture and mix together. Add remaining flour 1 cup at a time. Mix completely before adding the next cup, you're looking for a smooth looking dough that is slightly tacky to the touch.
- Knead for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer, or by hand.
- Put it in a greased bowl, spray with 1 spray of water and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 1 hour to 1 and a half hours in a moist, warm place until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough and divide it into 4 to 8 pieces and shape into balls. 8 pieces will be perfect size for hamburger rolls. 4 pieces will be perfect for bread bowls. Roll each into a smooth ball.
- Combine the warm water and baking soda in a small pot. Dip each ball in the baking soda water. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Let rise for a second time for about 30 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 475F.
- Score rolls with a sharp knife or lame to create 1/4 inch slits along the top.
- Bake for two minutes at 475ºF then reduce temperature to 375º and continue baking for about 17 minutes for large bowls and about 12 minutes for smaller bowls until golden brown. Bread is ready to come out of the oven with an internal temp around 195
- Brush with melted butter immediately after removing from the oven and sprinkle with course salt.
- To cut the bread into bowls, use a knife to cut a circle along the top of the loaf. Pull the circle out and remove as much insides as you deem fit to fill with soup or chili.