NEUJAHRSPRETZEL (NEW YEAR'S PRETZELS)

      Title: NEUJAHRSPRETZEL (NEW YEAR'S PRETZELS)
  Categories: German, Appetizers
       Yield: 2 Servings
  
       2 c  Milk
     1/2 c  Butter Or Margarine
       2 pk Yeast; Active, Dry
       2 ts Salt
     1/2 c  Sugar
       7 c  Flour; Unbleached
       2 ea Eggs; Large
       1 c  Confectioners' Sugar
       1 x  ;Water
       1 ts Vanilla Extract
     1/4 c  Almonds; Chopped
  
   Heat milk and butter until very warm (120-130 degrees F.). Mix yeast,
   salt, sugar, and 1 cup flour.  Slowly beat into warm milk. Beat for 2
   minutes. Add eggs and 1 cup of flour. Beat for an additional 2
   minutes. Add enough flour to form a soft dough.  Knead until smooth
   and elastic, about 5 minutes.  Place dough in a greased bowl. Let
   rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch dough
   down and let rise again until doubled. (1 hour more).  Divide dough
   in half. Shape pretzel as follows: Roll dough into a rope about 30
   inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Cross the ends leaving a
   large loop in the center. Flip loop back onto crossed ends to form a
   pretzel. Repeat with remaining dough. Place pretzels on greased
   baking sheets.  Let rise 15 minutes more. Bake at 375 degrees F for
   25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Mix
   confectioners' sugar, water and vanilla to form a thin icing. Spread
   icing on pretzels and sprinkle with chopped almonds. Makes 2 large
   pretzels.
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