Observed every year on April 26th, National Pretzel Day celebrates the crunchy or chewy treat that was originally thought to have been created in 610 by an Italian Monk. He is said to have made strips of dough, which he folded to resemble a child in prayer.

“I don’t like pretzels because they’re dry,” junior Julius Catalan said.

Pretzels aren’t for everyone, but this new recipe is worth a try. Noted for its deliciously gooey dough, this buttery delight might just change Catalan’s mind.

Here’s a quick and simple recipe to make pretzels:

• Prep time: 2 hours
• Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1 ¼ cups warm water
• 5 cups all purpose flour
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ cup baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• ¼ cup Kosher salt (for sprinkling)

Directions:

1. Mix the yeast and 1 ¼ cups warm water in a small bowl. Let stand for 10 min until creamy.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt. Dig a hole in the center and add yeast and oil. Mix until it forms a dough and add water slowly if too dry. Knead the dough until it is smooth (7-8 minutes). Oil a bowl and place the dough in the center. Cover the top with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for an hour until it is doubled in size.
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and grease two baking sheets.
4. Dissolve baking soda in four cups of hot water in a separate bowl, then set it aside. Flour a surface, then place dough on flour. Cut into 12 pieces and roll out into tube shapes. Twist them into shapes and dip into baking soda solution. Then place on trays and sprinkle with salt.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

This recipe was courtesy of http://allrecipes.com/recipe/24272/buttery-soft-pretzels/.

To receive free pretzels today only, head over to a Wetzel’s Pretzels.
To discover more fun and unusual holidays, visit https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/.