Germany − Neujahrspretzel

Germany − Neujahrspretzel
2 cups milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup powdered sugar
2 packs dry yeast
Water
2 teas. salt
1 teas. vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup almonds, chopped
7 cups flour

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 powdered sugar, water and vanilla to
form a thin icing. Spread icing on pretzels and sprinkle with
chopped almonds. Makes 2 large pretzels.