Almond Pretzels Recipe 🥨
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 60 cookies
Description:
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Pennsylvania Dutch classic, originating from the 1947 US Regional Cookbook by the Chicago Culinary Arts Institute. These Almond Pretzels are a perfect combination of crunchy almonds, rich buttery goodness, and a hint of vanilla sweetness. Quick to make and even quicker to disappear from the cookie jar, they’re an irresistible treat for any occasion!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 2 1/2 cups other shortening
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). |
| 2 | Cut the shortening into the flour as you would for a pie crust, ensuring a crumbly texture. |
| 3 | In a separate bowl, combine the beaten egg, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated. |
| 4 | Add the egg mixture to the flour and shortening mixture, and chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to handle. |
| 5 | Form the chilled dough into rolls, each about 8 inches long and as thick as a pencil. |
| 6 | In a small bowl, mix the egg white with milk to create an egg wash. |
| 7 | Brush the pretzels with the egg white and milk mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. |
| 8 | Sprinkle the chopped almonds over the pretzels, gently pressing them into the dough to ensure they stick. |
| 9 | Place the pretzels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each one to allow for expansion. |
| 10 | Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pretzels are golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on them towards the end to prevent over-browning. |
| 11 | Once baked, remove the pretzels from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. |
| 12 | Enjoy your homemade Almond Pretzels! Serve them with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot tea for the perfect snack or dessert. |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 76.8
- Total Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4g
- Cholesterol: 30.4mg
- Sodium: 53.6mg
- Carbohydrates: 7.6g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 3.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
Recipe Notes:
- Feel free to customize your Almond Pretzels by adding other nuts or seeds to the topping for extra flavor and texture.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, but chances are they’ll be gone long before then!
- If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can sprinkle some additional sugar over the pretzels just before baking.
