Soft Pretzels

If you have a soft spot for soft pretzels, try a batch of these yummy Bavarian bites, which feature Greek yogurt in the batter.

Ingredients: Makes 24

1. 2/3 cup sugar
2. 1 cup butter, softened
3. 3 eggs
4. 8 ounces Greek yogurt
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6. 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
7. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8. 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
9. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
10. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

1. Cream sugar and butter together in a large bowl until smooth.
2. Separate two egg yolks, reserving whites for later.
3. Mix in yogurt, 1 whole egg, the two egg yolks and vanilla. Add flour, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda and baking powder. Mix well. (Dough will be thick.)
4. Cover and refrigerate dough overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 400F.
6. Divide the dough into 24 equal portions.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a rope about 12- to 18-inches long and 1/4-inch wide.
8. On a baking sheet, shape each rope into a palm sized heart by curling the ends into “ram’s horns” and gently forming the bottom of a heart into a “v.”
9. Beat reserved egg whites with 1 teaspoon water and brush a bit of the egg white mixture over the tops of the pretzels.
10. Bake 13 to 15 minutes, then cool thoroughly