Soft Pretzels

January 7, 2013  //  152 Comments »
print recipe

Soft Pretzels

I am a bona fide soft pretzel addict. Whether I’m at the mall, at a sporting event, or at a restaurant that’s offering Oktoberfest specials, there’s at least a 90% chance that I’m going to get a soft pretzel.

There’s something so satisfying about that distinctive chewy exterior paired with the warm, soft inside of a pretzel that makes them irresistible. It’s a snack food that transcends seasons – whether you’re enjoying a baseball game on a warm summer evening, partaking in Oktoberfest festivities during the fall, catching a hockey game in the dead of winter, or strolling the mall any time of year, soft pretzels are where it’s at.

Making Soft Pretzels

This is my third iteration of a soft pretzel recipe… my first attempt was nearly SIX years ago(!)… then I moved on to another recipe a few months later, and then finally settled on this fabulous version some two years ago, and it’s the only one I’ve been making since. I’ve found that this recipe produces the softest, chewiest, most “traditional” tasting soft pretzels that I’ve made to date. My deepest apologies for taking this long to get it up on the site!

You don’t have to be an expert at baking with yeast to turn out some fantastic soft pretzels. Before long, you’ll be twisting and shaping dough like a pro. So, if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to work with yeast, this recipe is a fabulous place to start, as it’s basic, easy and incredibly forgiving. Once you have this basic recipe down, you can use it to make all sorts of adaptations: mini pretzels, cinnamon-sugar pretzels, cheddar pretzels, or even pretzel dogs!

MY OTHER RECIPES

Soft Pretzels

One year ago: Chicken Noodle Soup and Oatmeal Carmelita Bars
Two years ago: Oatmeal Muffins with Dates, Cranberries and Pecans
Three years ago: Rugelach
Five years ago: Quintuple Chocolate Brownies

Print Recipe
5
5 / 5 (7 Reviews)
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review »

Soft Pretzels

Yield: 8 pretzels

Prep:1 hour 30 minutes

Cook:15 minutes

Total:2 hours

My favorite recipe for classic soft pretzels. Perfect plain or dipped in your favorite mustard sauce!

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 4½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 10 cups water
  • 2/3 cups baking soda
  • 1 egg yolk + 1 tablespoon water, whisked together (for egg wash)
  • Coarse salt, for sprinkling

Directions:

  1. Combine the water, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to foam.
  2. Add the flour and butter. Use the dough hook attachment to mix on low speed until all of the ingredients are combined. Increase the mixer speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Remove the dough from the mixer and place in a clean, oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough has doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and brush with the vegetable oil; set aside.
  5. Combine the water and baking soda in a large, wide pot (a Dutch oven works perfect for this). Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
  6. In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 2 or 3 at a time (or however many will fit comfortably given the size of your pot – don’t crowd them), for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large, flat spatula. Place the boiled pretzels back on the baking sheet, brush the top of each pretzel with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
  8. Bake until dark golden brown in color, about 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

(Recipe adapted from Alton Brown)

All images and text ©Brown Eyed Baker, LLC.

posted in Pretzels
152 Comments »