Busy Saturday afternoon

Well, today has been a productive day! I spent most of my day in the kitchen, and ended up with yummy pretzel bites, and a white cake with vanilla frosting (and a strawberry frosting center). YUMMY!
For my hubby (Zach), the cake is just a vehicle for the frosting, so I loaded on as much as I could but I ran out of icing sugar and didn't really feel like braving the grocery stores on a Saturday afternoon. (and I had already been there this morning.)

The pretzel bites were soft on the inside with a crispy outside. We salted them and dipped them in pizza sauce, the best way to eat them in my opinion).

 Pretzel Bites
make about 60 bites

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
6 tbsp melted butter
2 1/2 tsp salt
4 1/2 cups flour
3 quarts water
3/4 cup baking soda
1 lg egg
1 tbsp cold water
coarse salt

1. Combine warm water, brown sugar, yeast and melted butter in stand mixer with the hook attachment. Stir to combine and let sit for 5 minutes, until slightly foamy.
2. Slowly add salt and flour on low speed until just combined.
3. Increase speed to medium-low and mix until dough is elastic and comes off of the sides.
4. Form into a ball with your hands, and place in a pre-oiled bowl and cover with dish towel. Let rise about an hour (until it doubles in size)
5.Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
6. Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal portions (I weighed the ball of dough divided that number by 8 and then weighed out 8 smaller balls of dough)
7. Roll each portion into a long rope (You may need to sprinkle them with a little water to get them to cooperate)
8. Cut into 1-inch pieces and place on lightly greased baking sheet.
9. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Carefully add the baking soda (the water will foam up a little).
10. Boil the pretzel bites, a few at a time for about 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them back on the tray.
11. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and the cold water. Lightly brush the boiled pretzel bites with the 'egg wash' (this will help them to brown in the oven). Sprinkle them lightly with the coarse salt.
12. Bake about 15-18 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Let cool before serving.

Serve with your dipping of choice. (I prefer pizza sauce)

Source: http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2011/09/23/soft-pretzel-bites/

The cake turned out perfectly. Very moist, and delicious flavors.

Homemade White Cake

3/4 cups margarine

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

2 1/3 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup cold water

4 egg whites

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl cream the margarine and sugar until fluffy. Add the extracts. (I didn't have any almond so I added extra vanilla). Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternating with water. Beat until combined.

2. Beat egg whites in separate bowl until stiff peaks form. (Be sure not to get any yolks mixed in, or the egg whites won't whip.) Fold into batter.

3. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

Source: http://stolenmomentscooking.com/homemade-white-cake/


Vanilla Frosting


4 cups icing sugar, sifted
1 cup butter
1 1/2 tbsp milk
1 1/2 tbsp vanilla

1. Beat butter in mixer for about 4 minutes, until smooth. Add icing sugar and mix on low to combine.
2. Add milk and vanilla. Mix on med-high for 4 minutes. Scrape down sides.

Source: http://bakechocolatecake.blogspot.com/2008/03/best-vanilla-frosting.html

(I divided the frosting and added strawberry jam to one half of it, for the middle of my cake.)

The frosting is very light and fluffy and yummy tasting.


Zach's verdict? :
On pretzel bites- 7/10- too salty (my fault! :P), good with dijon mustard.
On cake- 8/10- moist, fluffy but heavy. (He liked the strawberries!)
On frosting- 9/10- SOOOO sweet, very sugary.