---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.00

      Title: Neujahrspretzel (New Year's Pretzels)
 Categories: German, Holiday, Special
      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.
From: R2D2 #3 @1614017
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