Neujahrspretzel (New Year's Pretzels)

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Title: Neujahrspretzel (New Year's Pretzels)
Categories: German
Yield: 2 servings

2 c Milk 2 ea Eggs; Large
1/2 c Butter Or Margarine 1 c Confectioners' Sugar
2 pk Yeast; Active, Dry 1 x ;Water
2 ts Salt 1 ts Vanilla Extract
1/2 c Sugar 1/4 c Almonds; Chopped
7 c Flour; Unbleached

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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