Title: Neujahrspretzel (New Year's Pretzels)
Categories: German Appetizer Dessert Ethnic
Yield: 2 Servings

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

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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