Parmesan Pretzel Rolls

These are a nice “twist” on regular dinner rolls. I know, I'm too punny. It’s true, though, that these pretzel rolls are a fun change from the usual bread and rolls offerings at the dinner table. Fun shape aside, they are easy to make and require minimal kneading. I also like that the mixing is done the day before, leaving just the shaping to be finished when you want to serve them. The dough is like a cross between a biscuit and a dinner roll, meaning it’s plenty buttery but still soft. You can mix some fresh herbs into the dough if you want, but usually a layer of parmesan is enough to make me happy. Asiago cheese is also a delicious choice to put on top.

Parmesan Pretzel Rolls


3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, sliced
1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
2 T granulated sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup half and half
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 tsp salt
1 egg white, beaten until foamy
1 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese (not the stuff in the green plastic bottle)


1. Place flour in large mixing bowl. Cut in butter, with a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Cover and refrigerate. Sprinkle yeast and 1 T of granulated sugar over warm water in a medium mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy. Add half and half, egg yolks, salt and remaining sugar; stir well. Pour over flour mixture and stir until flour is just moistened. Cover and refrigerate dough at least 12 hours.

2. Punch dough down. Roll out on lightly floured surface into 16-inch square. Fold dough over into thirds. Starting on the short side, roll dough out into approximately 10x20 inch rectangle. With a pizza cutter, cut 10-inch strips approximately 3/4 inch wide. Form each strip into a pretzel shape. Place parmesan cheese in a medium shallow bowl  Brush each pretzel with egg white and dip into bowl of shredded parmesan. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining pretzels. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Recipe source: HeatOvenTo350


How to shape the pretzels:

1. Take each dough strip and make a loop, like a breast cancer awareness ribbon.

2. Pick up the top of the loop . . .

3.  . . . and bring it down over the two "legs" of the ribbon.

Done!

Posted in: Breads, Side Dish