Hot Pretzels Bows

I love making everyday baked goods join in the holiday festivities! For instance, these delicious hot pretzels got turned into beautiful ribbons and bows. They look pretty enough to top a gift box, and delicious enough to serve for Christmas lunch!

Its a good thing this recipe makes quite a few pretzels considering my husband ate quite a few of them straight out of the oven. Luckily, there were still plenty left for Christmas lunch.

Hot Pretzel Bows
Makes 18 Servings

SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Kitchen aid Mixer
Pot
Slotted Spoon
Baking Sheet
Oven heated to 400 degrees
Cooling Rack

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/4 Cup Milk
4 1/2 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup Sugar
2 1/2 t Yeast
1 t Baking Powder
2 t Garlic Powder
1 t Salt
1 Stick Butter
Water
2 T Baking Soda
Sea Salt
Yellow Mustard
Spicy Brown Mustard
oil

DIRECTIONS:
1) Melt the butter on the stove or in the microwave.
2) Combine the flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder in the kitchen aid mixer.
3) Pour in milk and butter until a ball of dough is formed.
4) Remove from the mixer and on a floured surface need for 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and perfect.
5) Coat the dough in oil, and let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. In our kitchen, that warm place is right near the oven.

6) Divide the dough into 18 pieces. Roll out each piece into a long rope. Loop the ends in and shape into a Christmas bow.
7) Bring a pot of water to a boil with the baking soda mixed in. 
8) Drop the pretzels two at a time into the water for 10 seconds. They will float nicely on the surface.
9) Layout the pretzels on a greased or lined baking sheet and sprinkle with sea salt.
10) Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden in color.
11) Let cool on wire racks and then serve with yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard.