Gluten Free Soft Pretzels Just Like Target, Sort Of & Pinterest Poser Challenge

We used to go to Target a lot.  Everytime we went, I got the kids a soft pretzel.  It was sort of our thing, a special little treat.  When JT was diagnosed with Celiac disease we stopped getting soft pretzels at Target. 

Not being able to have soft pretzels at Target isn't the biggest deal in the world.  Believe me, I know that!  But it is just one more little way that JT feels different.  JT was diagnosed with Celiac disease when he was four years old, he is almost forgetting what the Target pretzels taste like anyway.  There are a lot more gluten free options available (for a lot of extra money still), but being a kid with Celiac makes you different at birthday parties, at the holidays, after the game, anytime anyone says "let's get pizza."  Our society is built around food (and alcohol for adults) and when you can't eat it you are different, left out, special.  

JT never complains, ever.  He gets quiet sometimes. He gets super excited when he can have the snack after the game.  So I am super grateful for things like Pinterest.  Not because I can try to make perfect looking crafts or elaborate birthday cakes (although I do like to attempt those).  I like Pinterest for the million and fifty gluten free food ideas and inspiration.

I recently saw the most beautiful picture of a soft pretzel on Pinterest and it said "gluten free."  What?! I decided I would give my boy soft pretzels just like Target for a special treat.  That is this week's Pinterest Poser Challenge*-- Gluten Free Soft Pretzels.

*In an attempt at not being a Pinterest Poser,** every week I detail a new project/idea/recipe inspired by Pinterest. 
**My definition of a Pinterest Poser is someone who is all pins and no substance.

The recipe (click here for the full recipe) came from a blog that seemed a lot cooler than I feel which both intimidated me and made me feel sort of a tiny bit cooler for even reading it.  The recipe called for Coconut Oil. I've never bought Coconut Oil, but had recently heard about all the amazing things it can do for a person on Dr. Oz.  The good doctor claims putting it in your coffee can clear a foggy head. So I happily went to the grocery store to buy that for my foggy head and my pretzels.  Um, did you know Coconut Oil is hard? And expensive.  Seven dollars on a not huge bottle.  

Here's the ingredient/shopping list for the GF pretzels:

Gluten free flour

Active Dry Yeast

Fine Sea Salt

Sugar

Eggs

Honey

Coconut Oil

Butter

Baking Soda

Here's part of the fancy recipe:

 1 1/3 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour (I always use Betty Crocker gf flour blend)

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

1/2 tsp fine sea salt

1 tsp sugar (the original recipe called for coconut sugar, but I used regular)

1/2 cup warm water

1 egg

1 Tbs honey

Coconut oil

Melted butter

Coarse sea salt (for dusting)

For baking soda bath:

large pot

2 1/2 quarts water

2/3 cups baking soda

Additional tools:

Cookie sheet

Parchment paper

Pastry brush

Large bowl

(click here for the full recipe)

A few things that I did differently than the fancy recipe/website:

The original recipe called for a mixer, which I do not have so I just stirred everything by hand.  

The original recipe says you should use a hand-held pasta strainer for the soda bath, I do not have one so I just used a large slotted spoon.

Lucy and I wore headbands and pretended we were sisters working in a bakery in Russia in the 1800s, because we like to play make-believe whenever we can.  Except Lucy wouldn't let me use an accent, waaaa.

Here's my Pinterest Poser takeaway:

• They really didn't taste anything like Target soft pretzels.  BUT they looked a little bit like them.  They were denser than soft, puffy gluten-filled pretzels.  Most gluten free baked goods are more dense.

• These were fun to make.  It was a lengthy process, but fun do to with the kids.  

• I've been putting coconut oil in my coffee everyday and I think I might be a little less foggy, maybe? 

• JT didn't like them.  But I think he dug that I tried.  And I will not stop doing little things that make him feel good and not so left out of all things food.

• The rest of the family liked them a little.  I served them for dinner with my gluten-free chicken noodle soup (click here for the recipe, this one is really good!). The rest of the family enjoyed dunking the pretzels in the soup.

• Not a total win, but not a total fail either.  I will make them again for sure.  

• I am no poser.

Click here for the chicken noodle soup recipe.

Have you made anything inspired by Pinterest lately?  Let me know in the comments or over on my Facebook page.


Come follow me on Pinterest (click here).

Here are some of the Pinterest projects I've done/made/attempted.

Cinnamon Sugar Doughballs- click herePainted Lockers- click here

Melted Beads- DIY Suncatcher- click here

Tissue Paper Pom Pom Garland-- click here

A Delightfully Simple Birthday Party--click here
Make An Awesome Omelet--click here
Outdoor Lights Inspired by the show Parenthood- click here
Herb Garden with Chalkboard Pots- click here
Backyard Graffiti Art with kids- click here

Happiness Notecards- click here

Gluten Free Rainbow Cake- click here

Fruit Roll-Up Fortune Cookies- click here

Make Your Own Magnets- click here

DIY Painted Clay Necklace- click here

Dixie Cup Lights- click here

DIY Ornaments-click here

Gluten Free Clay- click here

Make Your Own Stamps- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here

Gluten Free Pop Tarts- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here

Summer Wish List Chalkboard-click here

Peanut Butter Nutella Cookie Sandwiches-click here

Painted Mason Jar Vases-click here

Cinco de Mayo Paper Flowers- click here

Earth Day Cupcakes- Click here
Nail Art-click here

Homemade Photo Booth Fun- click here

Fake Bangs- click here

DIY Subway Art- click here

Furniture Painting and Bench/Chest Makeover- click here

Thanksgiving-y Project/Gratitude/Holiday Countdown- click here
The Smoothie-click here

The Free Printable Turned Artwork in a Boring Hallway- click here

The chalk board-click here
Seven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click here
The Kitchen Dancing Sign--click here