Cold Desserts Recipes - Chocolate Pretzels Recipe

Ingredients

• 100g/4oz butter

• 100g/4oz caster sugar

• 1 egg

• 225g/8oz plain flour

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

To finish:

• 15g/2oz butter

• 100g/4oz dark chocolate

• Icing sugar for dusting

Serves 10

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Method:

1. Lightly grease a baking tray. Beat together the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg.

2. Sift together the flour and cocoa powder and gradually beat in to form a soft dough Use your fingers to incorporate the last of the flour and bring the dough together. Chill for 15 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas mark 5. Break small pieces from the dough and roll into thin sausage shapes about 10 cm/4in long and 8mm/1/4in thick. Twist into pretzel shapes by making a circle, then twisting the ends through each other. Place the pretzels on the prepared baking tray, allowing room to expand.

4. Bake in the oven for 8 to 12 minutes. Leave to cool slightly on the baking tray, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring to combine. Dip half of each pretzel in the chocolate and allow any excess to drip back into the bowl.

6. Place on a sheet of baking parchment and leave to set. When set, dust the plain side of each pretzel with icing sugar.