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Basic Soft Pretzels Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 57 reviews
  • Author: Cleo
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 medium pretzels 1x

Description

This recipe for Basic Soft Pretzels yields warm, chewy, and delightfully soft homemade pretzels with a golden crust. The dough is gently kneaded and allowed to rise before being shaped, boiled briefly in a baking soda solution to develop a perfect crust, and then baked to a beautiful brown finish. Coarse salt adds a savory touch, making these pretzels perfect for snacking or serving with dips.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1 package instant yeast (approximately 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

Baking Soda Bath

  • 1/4 cup baking soda whisked into 3 to 4 cups warm water

Topping

  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Coarse salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a mixing bowl, gently whisk together the warm milk, instant yeast, brown sugar, melted butter, and salt until combined. Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it 10 to 15 times until smooth and elastic.
  2. Let the Dough Rise: Lightly oil the mixing bowl to prevent sticking. Place the kneaded dough back into the bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and set it aside in a warm spot to rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  3. Shape the Pretzels: After the dough has risen, punch it down gently and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into equal portions and roll each portion into long ropes. Shape each rope into the classic pretzel shape by forming a U, crossing the ends over each other, and pressing the ends onto the bottom of the U.
  4. Prepare the Baking Soda Bath: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large pot or deep pan, bring the baking soda and warm water mixture to a gentle boil. Carefully lower each shaped pretzel into the boiling bath for about 20 to 30 seconds, then remove them using a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Apply Egg Wash and Add Salt: Brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg to give them a shiny, golden finish during baking. Sprinkle coarse salt evenly over the pretzels.
  6. Bake the Pretzels: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until they are deep golden brown and fully cooked.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove the pretzels from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm.

Notes

  • Using warm milk is important as it activates the yeast properly for a good rise.
  • Boiling the pretzels briefly in a baking soda bath gives them their characteristic chewy crust.
  • Brush the pretzels with egg wash just before baking to get a beautiful glossy finish.
  • You can add toppings like sesame seeds or poppy seeds as an alternative to coarse salt.
  • Ensure the dough is not too sticky by adjusting flour quantity slightly if needed during kneading.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: soft pretzels, homemade pretzels, easy pretzel recipe, baking snack, yeast pretzels

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Find it online: https://cleobrixton.com/basic-soft-pretzels-recipe/