Tomorrow Is National Pretzel Day, so why is there a cookie at the top of the post .......... It's a Pretzel Cookie!

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from Brian Smith tell me about National Pretzel Day, and asking if I might consider doing a blog post about it. It just so happened that on that day I was baking Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies for a blog post and thought I could combine the two things.

Brian's company represents Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time, and he wanted to let our readers know that the company would be giving away free pretzels to celebrate National Pretzel Day!

TWIST AND SHOUT! APRIL 26 IS NATIONAL PRETZEL DAY

Free Original Soft Pretzels at Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time from Open to Close

On the heels of an announcement outlining the consolidation of Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time, the soft pretzel franchise revealed that it will once again be hosting National Pretzel Day, Sunday, April 26, with free original soft pretzels from open to close at participating locations nationwide (limit one per customer). The holiday is a celebration of the art of pretzel-making and a day of customer appreciation. Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time are managed by NexCen Franchise Management, Inc., a subsidiary of NexCen Brands, Inc.

“A snack that has been in existence for centuries is certainly worthy of a holiday,” stated Chris Dull, president, NexCen Franchise Management. “National Pretzel Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate our flagship product, the people who craft it and the customers who enjoy it year round.”

To find a participating Pretzelmaker or Pretzel Time location near you visit their website. You can also join their fan club at the site and receive news on products, offers and other fun things.

Some of Pretzel Maker/Pretzel Time products include the original Plain Pretzel,

Parmesan, Garlic, Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels, Original Bites,

Specialty Pretzels,

Cinnamon Sugar Bites,


and Pretzel Dogs

My husband and are are always fighting over whether or not New York or Philadelphia has the best soft pretzels, it looks like we may have to make room for a third option and try Pretzelmaker/Pretzel Time instead.

I love to use pretzels in my cooking both in desserts and as part of the main course. I think you might like the Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies. It's like the best of both worlds, a chocolate covered pretzel and a chocolate chip cookie all in one. I based this in a Ghiardelli cookie recipe and made some changes that I liked. I hope you like them as well!

CHOCOLATE PRETZEL DELIGHTS
Elise Feiner


1 bag (11.5 ounces) Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
or 3 (4 ounce bars of Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate minus one square)
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
⅓ cup flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 bag (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pretzels

Place pretzels in a plastic bag, and using a hard object (rolling pin, meat hammer) crush into crumbs but don’t make too fine. In a microwavable bowl, place the butter and the bittersweet chips or bars (if using the 4 ounce bars, don't forget to remove one square.) Microwave on high for about 30 seconds, stir. If not melted microwave on high in 15 second intervals until melted.

Mix the flour and baking powder in a bowl. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until thick. Stir in the chocolate and butter mix; add vanilla. Add the flour mixture and blend well. Gently stir in the chocolate chips and the pretzels. The mixture may be loose. Place half the mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap; shape into a log, about 2 inches wide and 8 inches long. Repeat with the other half of batter. Refrigerate for at least one hour, or until solid. Preheat oven to 375° F. Slice the logs into ¾ -inch rounds, and place one inch apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes until the top appears shiny, but cookie is still soft.

This is what you will need for the recipe:



1 bag (11.5 ounces) Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
or 3 (4 ounce bars of Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate minus one square)
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
⅓ cup flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 bag (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pretzels

Place pretzels in a plastic bag,



and using a hard object (rolling pin, meat hammer)



crush into crumbs but don’t make too fine

Set aside


Cut the butter into small pieces
place in a microwavable bowl,


add the bittersweet chocolate chips or bars


I used the bars so I removed one square



Microwave on high for about 1 minute stir well.
If not melted microwave on high in
15 second intervals until melted.


Stir the chocolate to be
sure the chocolate is all melted


Mix the flour


and baking powder


in a bowl; set aside


In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs


add the sugar


beat until thick


Stir a little of the chocolate and butter mix into the eggs to temper them



Add the eggs to the chocolate mix and blend well



add vanilla




Add the flour mixture and blend well



Gently stir in the chocolate chips


and the pretzels

Blend well
The mixture will be loose


Lay out two sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap


Place half the mixture on each sheet


Shape into a log, about 2 inches wide and 8 inches long,
using your fingers


Repeat with the other half of batter
Roll in the wax paper


Refrigerate for at least one hour, or until solid


Preheat oven to 375° F.


Spray a cookie sheet with a cooking spray


Remove one log at a time from the refrigerator


Slice the logs into ¾ -inch rounds,



and place one inch apart on a greased cookie sheet


If your log wasn't perfectly round, you can
shape the dough into a round ball with your hands
if you want to



Put in the preheated oven


Bake 12-14 minutes until the top appears shiny,
but cookie is still soft


I rotate the trays after 6 minutes


Let cool a few minutes and then move to a rack to cool


Move to a platter to serve


So, enjoy your pretzels tomorrow in whatever shape, form, or flavor you like!