It's ALIVE!!!

Just call me Dr. Frankenstein cuz I have harnessed the power of...

YEAST!!!

This may not seem like such a big deal to some of you, BUT, when your house is the same temperature as an iceberg, working with yeast is, well, put it this way, if you could get it to do anything it'd be a miracle.

Honestly, with a chilly temperature house it won't dissolve in warm water like it's supposed to, it won't rise like it's supposed to, and surprise, it won't bake like it's supposed to.  Not that I've ever had any of those issues before...  My kitchen experiences are all like Disney films: singing animals, dancing appliances, happily ever afters, you know, the normal stuff.

Anywho, back to task at hand.  I harnessed the power of yeast to make outrageously yummy Cinnamon-Raisin Soft Pretzels.  

 Oh my gosh, I know right. :)

Unfortunately, I can't take credit for this scrumptious concoction, I just happened upon it in my "Winning Recipes from Taste of Home" cookbook.

Here's the amazing recipe of Ms. Susie King in case your interested:

1 pkg active dry yeast

1-1/2 cups warm water (110-115 degrees)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups cake flour

2 to 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup raisins

2 tablespoons baking soda

2 cups hot water (120-130 degrees)

3 tablespoons butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.  Stir in brown sugar and salt.  Add cake flour; stir well.  Stir in enough all-purpose flour to form a soft dough.  Stir in raisins.

Turn onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until dough has risen slightly, about 30 minutes.

Punch dough down; divide into 14 balls.  Roll each ball into a 15-in. rope.

In a bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.  Dip each rope into baking soda mixture; drain on paper towels.  Form into pretzel shapes and place on grease baking sheets.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.  Brush pretzels with butter, then dip in cinnamon-sugar.  Serve warm.  Yield: 14 pretzels.

Have a G-Golly Wonderful Day Everyone!