Pretzel-Wrapped Pigs in a Blanket
 
 
Makes 24 pieces (see notes)
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1½ teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 8 turkey dogs
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • sesame seeds and sea salt (for topping, optional)
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, heat water until warm - about 30 seconds in the microwave should do. Add the sugar, salt and yeast. Whisk together until thoroughly combined and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
  2. Add the flour and butter, stirring everything until it comes together to form a shaggy ball. Then knead the dough by hand (or with a dough hook attachment) until it’s smooth and elastic - this will take about 5 minutes (or less if using a stand mixer). Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  4. Cut turkey dogs into thirds to equal 24 pieces.
  5. Punch down dough and pull off a small piece about the size of a golf ball. Roll it out into a long, thin strip. Push one end of the dough strip against the end of a turkey dog piece and wrap it around until you get to the other end, cutting off any excess dough. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining turkey dog pieces.
  6. In a small glass or metal bowl, combine hot water and baking soda and whisk until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Dip each pig in a blanket into the solution for a few seconds, remove and place on a paper towel to absorb excess liquid. Transfer back to the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Brush top of dough with egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and salt, if using
  8. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
You will have extra dough after making the pigs in a blanket. You can cut up more turkey dogs and continue assembling them, or make pretzels following the same cooking method of first dipping the dough into the water/baking soda solution, brushing it with egg wash and then baking it.
Recipe by Two of a Kind at http://www.twoofakindcooks.com/pretzel-wrapped-pigs-in-a-blanket/