Description
Is it just me, or do soft pretzels have a knack for twisting their way into everyone’s hearts?
There’s something undeniably comforting about the golden-brown, salty, chewy perfection of a freshly baked soft pretzel. Whether it’s the satisfying tug of dough as you pull off a piece or the sheer joy of dipping it into melted cheese or spicy mustard, pretzels are universally loved. Today, I’ll share a foolproof recipe for making basic soft pretzels and sprinkle in a few funny stories and tips along the way. Ready to twist up some fun? Let’s dive in.
Ingredients
– 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
– 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
– 1 tbsp granulated sugar
– 1 tsp salt
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
– 10 cups water
– ⅔ cup baking soda
– Coarse salt (for sprinkling)
Equipment:
– A large mixing bowl
– Stand mixer with a dough hook (optional but helpful)
– Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
– A large pot
– Slotted spoon
– Pastry brush
Instructions
1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, mix the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it looks frothy. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be expired (or just moody).
2. Mix the dough: Add the salt, flour, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Knead by hand or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
3. Let it rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. This is the perfect time to catch up on your favorite show—or clean the “flour blizzard” you created.
4. Shape the pretzels Preheat your oven to 450°F. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 24-inch rope and form the classic pretzel shape. (Pro tip: If your pretzel looks more like a weird knot, no worries—it’ll still taste amazing!)
5. Baking soda bath: Boil 10 cups of water and stir in the baking soda. Using a slotted spoon, carefully dip each pretzel into the bath for about 30 seconds. This step gives the pretzels their signature chewy texture and deep brown color.
6. Add the finishing touches: Place the pretzels on the prepared baking sheet, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt.
7. Bake to perfection: Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the pretzels are beautifully golden brown.
And voilà! You’ve just made soft pretzels that would make any mall food court jealous.