Praying Arm Pretzels #EasterRecipes

Praying Arm Pretzels are a wonderful Lenten tradition for kids!

I always loving doing fun, food related activities with my kids.

This year, since I’m teaching 3^rd grade, I get to take those fun activities to the classroom!

And since I’m teaching at a Catholic school, I can really make Easter and Holy week faith based.

For yesterday’s Holy Week lesson, I brought bread baking to the classroom!

After lunch, I introduced the Legend of Pretzels.  According to legend, a Catholic Monk wanted to motivate children to learn their prayers.  Since people at that time prayed with their arms crossed over their shoulders, he made the school children pretzels as a reward for learning their prayers. 

Additionally, the word “pretzel” may have its roots in the Latin word, “pretiola” meaning little reward!

Oh, and as an added bonus, pretzels, divided into three sections as they are can be a great teaching tool for the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the three persons in one God).

Pretzels for the win!!

After discussing the history of pretzels, we moved into a science/math/cooking lesson and made our pretzel dough.  I did the mixing, then had the kids each take a turn kneading.

While the dough proofed, we learned about fractions in math.  It was perfect, since after we punched though dough down, the dough needed to be divided into 16 equal portions!

Each child got a dough portion to roll into a rope and shape into a pretzel.  The kids dipped the pretzels in the baking soda wash and we dashed to the kitchen to bake!

The kids ran around the gym, burning off some excess energy while our pretzels baked.  After they were done, the students got to each their pretzels.

This was an amazing lesson and I was so happy I could share it with my class!

This week, thirteen bloggers are sharing 46 recipes and tips to help you serve up deliciousness this Easter. Follow #EasterRecipes on social media to see what we're serving up! 

Tuesday

• Italian Easter Bread by Palatable Pastime
• Carrot Cake Pancakes by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Torta Salata Pasquale by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Dill Roasted Radishes by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Roasted Parmesan Asparagus by Family Around The Table
• Praying Arm Pretzels by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Creamy Coconut Mini Tarts by Making the Most of Naptime

In case you missed them, here's Monday's #EasterRecipes

• Deviled Ham Bites by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• 30 Minute Dinner Rolls by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Easy Pecan Sticky Buns by Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
• Easy Citrus Ham by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Sausage and Vegetable Strata by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus With Lemon Herb Sauce by Tip Garden
• Dipped Strawberry Carrots by Family Around The Table
• Easter Malted Milk Dip by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Sharadan's Lemon Blueberry Parfaits by Cooking With Carlee
• Easter Egg Cooking and Dyeing Tips and Tricks by Palatable Pastime

Soft Pretzels

Recipe from Karen Cooks

Soda Wash

½ cup warm water

2 tbsp baking soda

Dough

1 tsp sugar

2 tsp yeast

1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees F)

½ tsp salt

2 ½ cups all purpose flour

In a small saucepan, combine the ½ cup water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.  Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the pot to a simmer.  Stir the water until the baking soda is completely dissolved.  Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Place the 1 cup of water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Whisk to combine.  Add the salt and flour and mix with the paddle attachment until combined.   Switch to the dough hook and knead for 5 minutes or until the dough forms a smooth ball.  If the dough is too sticky, add a couple more tablespoons of flour.  Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Put the bowl in a warm place and let the dough rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F and spray several baking sheets with non stick spray.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 8 equal parts.  Let the dough rest, lightly covered for 3 minutes.

Pull each section of dough into a long, thin rope and shape into a pretzel.  Dip each pretzel into the soda wash and place on the prepared baking sheets, reshaping as necessary.  Let the pretzels rest for 10 minutes.

Bake the pretzels for 8-10 minutes (5-6 for convection ovens) or until deeply browned.