When it comes to pretzels, I tend to be a little picky. I’m not really a fan of them plain. Flavored? Yup. Dipped in ranch? Sure. Cheez Whiz? Shamefully hanging my head, but yes, absolutely (and rarely, I might add). The kids, on the other hand, would eat them ’round the clock if I let them. I happened upon a recipe for Cinnamon Pretzels in the current issue of Midwest Living magazine, and while it appealed to the salty-sweet side to me, I thought it might be a tough sell for the kids.
I was wrong.
Madeline helped me make a batch the other night, actually doing all the measuring, pouring and mixing herself. It was all she could do to wait for them to cool. Because Nick was ensconced with his reading homework, he didn’t notice the pretzels until today.
And the verdict? Both kids loved them.
With the holiday season underway, these would be perfect as a pre-dinner munchie before your big meal. Need a gift for your neighbors? Bake up a batch of these, put them in clear cellophane bags and tie them up with a pretty, colorful ribbon. After all, as they say in preschool, caring is sharing.
Project 365
November 18, 2010, Photo #223, 224, 225, 226, 227
This little munchkin knows how to warm my heart in an instant. On Monday, I spent my lunchtime in the dentists’ chair for the start of a root canal. Definitely not my favorite way to spend my time. She stayed by my side the whole time, holding my hand for support, not saying a word. Believe me when I tell you, this is the only time I have ever seen her this silent. She stood as close as she could to me, staring at me with those huge chocolate brown eyes, watching to see if I was ok. Today, Nick had a dentist appointment, and she did the same for him. Completely on her own. What a trooper.
Today I rode on the school bus for the first time since high school. I am happy to report that in my absence, nothing has changed except for the addition of seat belts. And that I survived.
Our adventure was a field trip with Nick’s school to see the Laura Ingalls Wilder play. This was, believe it or not, my first field trip with Nick. The Ex was always “field trip duty.” Nick asked if he could sit next to me on the bus. Given that the kids of the other Class Moms ditched them as soon as they could, I was feeling mighty special.
I loved that this play was the field trip. Over the summer, the kids and I started watching Little House on the Prairie. Oh how I loved that show growing up. “The olden days,” as I tell Nick, “when they didn’t have tvs in every room and cell phones and washing machines and cars.” Watching the show, complete with its pioneering spirit, is such a wonderful lesson for kids. Both in how things were done back then, before all the modern conveniences we all take for granted regularly, and a lesson in showing us how lucky we are. Going to see the play with Nick was an awesome tie-in to the time we’ve spent enjoying the show.
Cinnamon Pretzels
Recipe courtesy of Midwest Living magazine, December 2010
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 16-ounce package small pretzel twists
In a large roasting pan, stir together vegetable oil, sugar and cinnamon. Add the pretzels; toss well to coat with cinnamon-sugar. Bake, uncovered, in a 300F oven for 30 minutes, stirring twice (oops, didn’t see that!). Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container. Makes 12 (1 cup) servings.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
where is the recipe for these pretztels?
Totally going to make these! They look great…and I am SO jealous of your field trip! I LOVED Laura Ingalls Wilder!
I almost started to cry when I read that Madeline held your hand through the whole dentist ordeal! Oh my gosh how adorable! You must have felt so good after that (well, as good as you could after starting a root canal). Those cinnamon pretzels sound seriously addictive. Perfect for a good case of the I-don’t-want-to-study munchies.
You don’t need me to tell you that you have 2 really great and special kids. But, I can tell you it’s from the way that they are luved and that you are raising them.
You a such a good Momma.
Bobolink – if you click on “continue reading” at the end of the post, you’ll see the recipe.
Ramona – Aw, shucks, Ramona, thanks so much.
Joanne – it was truly heartwarming. We’re lucky people to have her in our family, for sure.
Claire – me too! After seeing the play and hearing the Q&A with the actors afterwards, I want to go get her books. Would be a great reading project for Nick too.
mmm! I just got Christmas shaped pretzels at Christmas Tree Shop yesterday – this would make a perfect gift.
Yikes – hate root canal. Had one last year. Good thing you had your girlie to hold your hand.
Loved Little House on the Prairie too. I’m trying to see if I can sneak along on the 4th grade field trip Dec 3rd to the Sterling Mining Museum – maybe if I drive myself?
I made these over the weekend. They are SOOO good. Thanks for sharing with us!
i made these on friday for the kids (and myself too) and they were a big hit! thanks for sharing the recipe.
That seems like an awful lot of oil for a 16 oz. bag of pretzels. Do you think it would work with less than that??? I’m trying to eat healthier and it’s a shame to make a healty treat like pretzels so unhealthy with all the added oil. They sound so yummy though!!
Hi! Thanks for the idea =) I made these tonight using pretzel sticks, as I put them inside of sugar cone “cornucopias” for a snack for my son’s preschool snack. Wish me luck!