New Year's Pretzel Bread

By bjmj_1622

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cups milk, scalded and skimmed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 ounces (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 6 to 7 cups bread flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 pound confectioner's sugar
• Almond extract
• Water
• Toasted, sliced almonds
• Candied cherries

Details

Servings 2

Preparation

Step 1

Put the scalded milk, sugar and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer and let stir until the butter and sugar are dissolved. In another small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water with a few grains of sugar. It should begin to foam in about 5 minutes. Add 5 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of salt, the yeast mixture and the 2 eggs to the milk mixture. Use a dough hook to mix until it is a soft, even batter. Add more flour 1/2 cup at a time until a soft dough forms. Continue to knead until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl. Take the dough out on a lightly floured board and give it a few turns to form a smooth ball. Put it into a greased bowl and cover. Let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Turn the dough out onto the board and divide in half. Roll each half into a long rope and shape into a pretzel. Lay the pretzel onto a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and allow to rise for another hour. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until dark golden-brown. (Thermometer will read 190 to 200 degrees.) Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Make a frosting by mixing the confectioner's sugar with a teaspoon of almond extract (or vanilla if you prefer) and enough water to make a spreadable icing. Pour the icing over the bread and decorate with the toasted almond slices and candied cherries.