Festive pretzels with nut filling
Description
Delicious baked goods for the whole family. If you've never baked pretzels before, make sure to find time to try this recipe—it's very easy, and the result is incredibly tasty thanks to the nut filling with apples and raisins. The main feature of these pretzels is their shape, which resembles ram's horns. The stated amount of dough yields two fairly large rolls, but you can divide it into three parts if desired. I highly recommend preparing this baked treat using sourdough starter—this way, the pretzels will turn out not only delicious but also healthy. Serve with tea or coffee.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
1. Prepare the starter: dilute the starter with room-temperature water and mix well. Add the sifted flour and mix. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and let it sit for 8 hours at room temperature.
- 2
Step 2
2. Place room-temperature butter into a bowl with sifted flour and rub into a crumbly texture. In the bowl of a mixer, add the starter, room-temperature milk, eggs, sugar, salt, lemon zest, and the prepared flour mixture.
- 3
Step 3
3. Mix the dough for 3 minutes at speed 1, then increase the speed and knead for another 3 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball and transfer it to a bowl greased with vegetable oil. Let the dough rise at room temperature for 3 hours.
- 4
Step 4
4. For the filling, bring the milk with sugar to a boil, then remove from heat. Add lemon zest, cinnamon, grated apple (on a coarse grater), nuts and raisins chopped in a blender. Mix the filling until smooth.
- 5
Step 5
5. Place the dough on a floured surface, divide it into two parts, and shape into rounds. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes, then roll out into a rectangle 30x40 cm. Spread the filling, leaving a 1.5–2 cm border around the edges.
- 6
Step 6
6. Roll the dough into a log and shape it into a pretzel. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 1 hour at room temperature.
- 7
Step 7
7. Brush the pretzels with egg beaten with water, prick them with a fork, and bake in a preheated oven at 190-200 degrees for 40 minutes. Dust the cooled pretzels with powdered sugar.