Nanzaro’s class had a Halloween party on Halloween Day. I volunteered to help his class in making Soft Pretzels for the party. I went to the school early in the morning at 9 am. Nanzaro’s teacher, Ms T divided the class into small groups of 5 to 6 people and assigned the first 2 groups for the first session of making the Soft Pretzels.

It was fun working with the kids especially on Halloween Day because a lot of them were in costumes. Here is a pair dressed up like Siamese twins where their clothes are joined together.

Here is one injured patient working on the dough.

Ingredients

• 1 package of yeast
• 1.5 cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 cups flour, more for kneading
• 1 egg, beaten
• coarse salt for sprinkling, optional

This is a really fun project for the kids. They get to work on the dough and form the dough into any shape imaginable. This brings out the creativity in the kids.

Instructions

• Measure the warm water into a large mixing bowl
• Sprinkle in the yeast and sugar and stir until it looks cloudy.
• Add the salt and flour and mix with a wooden spoon.
• Bring the dough together with your hand and knead the dough on a floured surface until it’s soft.
• Divide the dough into small portions and give one to each kid.
• Let the kid roll and twist the dough into letters, numerals, snakes and anything they like.
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• Lay the shaped dough on the cookie sheets.
• Brush with beaten eggs and sprinkle with coarse salt if desired.
• Bake in a preheated 425F oven for 12 to 15 minutes.

Kneading the dough.

Shaping the dough.

Tasting the dough.

Brushing the dough with beaten egg.

The end result is some yummy and amazing looking bread.

More bread.

Ms T working with another group who peel and cut vegetables for the chicken noodle soup, made from scratch.

At lunch time, the class shared a meal of chicken noodle soup, soft bread (pretzel) and …

… some pumpkin and lemon meringue tarts which some of the kids made the day before.

Ms T and class grade 7, thank you for having me to share such a great experience with you all.