Chocolate Peanut Pretzels: Sweet, Salty, And Perfect For Gifting

Pretzels are a symbol of celebrations. In Western countries, homemade pretzels have been a significant part of festive gifting, and without these twisted baked knots, the festivals and celebrations don’t feel the same. When pretzels are made at home, the entire house is enchanted with its fragrance, and all the family gathers around the table to taste the first batch fresh out of the oven. Nothing matches the charm and simplicity of pretzels. Today, they are quite popular in India as well, and they make appearances in many home bakeries and cafes. With the sweet and salty flavors, pretzels give a satisfying taste in every bite. You can make pretzels in many sizes and try different variations for knots, these bring an interesting twist to the classic treat.

With its simple salty and sweet flavor, you get many opportunities to try different flavor variations and make the simple pretzels more whimsical and fun. This recipe will show you how you can make funky pretzels with the satisfying flavor of chocolate and the crunch of salted peanuts. The flavor combination of chocolate and peanuts is lauded for its unbeatable, rich and nutty flavor that complements each other despite being contrasting. The rich backdrop of chocolate highlights the nutty flavor of peanuts, and its velvety texture enhances the pleasure of crunchy bits. When the flavors come together in pretzels as a form of a coating, they make every bite utterly delicious. What makes it even more satisfying is the chunky texture of pretzels.

When made at home, pretzels offer a different warming sensation that cannot be found in the bakery bought pretzels. In addition to this, when you bake pretzels at home, you get total control over the ingredients you are using. So, instead of paying a few extra bucks on customizations, you can easily make different variations at home and make a fun treat as per your taste. What’s more interesting is that homemade pretzels make a perfect gift for relatives and friends because you can bake large batches of them at the same time. With this, you save up a lot of time on festive and event preparations.

Check out this easy recipe for chocolate peanut pretzels and add it to your list the next time you need to prepare a gifting treat.

Ingredients:

For Pretzel Dough:

• 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F or 43°C)
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Baking Soda Bath:

• ½ cup baking soda
• 9 cups water

For Dipping:

• 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• ½ cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
• Sea salt flakes
• White chocolate

Topping:

• 1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
• Coarse salt

Method:

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Take a large bowl and combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in it. Stir once and let the yeast bloom for 5 to 10 minutes. The mixture will turn frothy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Once the yeast has bloomed, add melted butter and salt to it. Stir once and then add flour gradually. Mix well and add the flour. Once all the flour is in, knead the dough by hand for 5 to 7 minutes. The dough will become smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Let It Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Shape the Pretzels

Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Take the dough and divide it into 8 to 10 equal parts. Roll each into a long rope about 20 to 24 inches and twist into a pretzel shape.

Step 5: Baking Soda Bath

In a large pot or saucepan, bring 9 cups of water + ½ cup baking soda to a boil. Gently drop each pretzel into the bath for 20-30 seconds. After this, remove the pretzels from the water with a slotted spoon and place them on a lined baking sheet.

Step 6: Egg Wash and Bake

Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle coarse salt for savory pretzels or skip salt for sweetness. Bake at 450°F (230°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, until the pretzels turn golden brown. Let cool.

Step 7: Melt the Chocolate

Prepare a double boiler on the stovetop, place the heatproof bowl with chocolate in it over the boiler, stir, and let it melt.

Step 8: Dip the Pretzels

After the pretzels are cooled, dip them in the melted chocolate halfway for presentation. Lay it on parchment paper.

Step 9: Top and Set

Quickly sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts over the wet chocolate and add a few salt flakes. Chill until the chocolate has set. Pack in cute gift boxes or serve as a snack.