Have you ever walked into a mall and been totally overcome by the smell of homemade pretzels permeating the air? It’s a pretty amazing selling feature for those pretzel companies. I’m sure the smell alone increases their sales. I know for me, I can’t stop thinking about pretzels the whole time I shop!
There is something so satisfying about the crisp outer layer and the soft interior of a homemade pretzel that will make anyone’s mouth water. For the price you pay for one delicious pretzel though, you can make a whole batch to enjoy and share. They are also super easy to make.
With school starting back up, whether virtually or in-person, this is a great project to do with your kids. It is also the perfect after school snack. Your children will love rolling out the dough and forming mouth watering pretzels!
Creating the Dough
To make the dough, mix together the warm water, yeast and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl attached to a stand mixer. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to proof, or foam.
With the dough hook attached, knead in the salt, melted butter, and flour, adding 1/2 cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough for about 5-8 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and tacky.
Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel or plastic and let the dough rise for about 1 1/2 hours. Remove the dough from the bowl and divide into 8 equal portions. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting phase allows the dough to keep it’s shape while rolling and prevent it from shrinking.
Roll each portion of dough into a rope about 20-30 inches long (depending on how large you want to make each pretzel). Make a U shape with the dough, cross the ends over each other, twist once and press the ends into the bottom of the U.
Rolling Pretzels Tutorial
Baking Soda Bath
After the pretzels have been formed, combine the baking soda and hot water into a large mixing bowl and stir until the baking soda dissolves.
Dunk each pretzel into the baking soda bath and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. If you are making salted pretzels, sprinkle with coarse sea salt. If you are making cinnamon/sugar pretzels leave the pretzels as is.
Baking and Topping
Bake the pretzels at 450 degrees F for 5 minutes. Turn the pan 180 degrees and bake an additional 5-8 minutes, until browned.
Remove from the oven and brush each pretzel with melted butter. Add more salt to the salted pretzels and sprinkle the cinnamon/sugar mixture on the rest. Enjoy!
Homemade Pretzels
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 Tbsp yeast
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup bread flour optional, substitute for all purpose if desire
- 3-4 cups all purpose flour
Baking Soda Bath
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 3 cups HOT water
Toppings
- 1/4 cup coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl (either connected to a stand mixer or not if mixing by hand), mix together the warm water, yeast and brown sugar. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to proof, or foam.
- Knead in the melted butter, salt, and flour, adding 1/2 cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Continue kneading the dough for 5-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and tacky.
- Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel or plastic and let the dough rise for 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled.
- Remove the dough from the bowl onto a lightly greased surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Cover the dough and let it rest 10 more minutes. This will help the dough to keep it's shape while rolling.
- Roll each portion of dough into a rope 20-30 inches long, depending on how large of a pretzel you want. To form the pretzels, make a U shape, cross the ends over each other, twist the ends once and press the ends onto the bottom of the U. See the instructional video on doughbydanielle.com.
- Create the baking soda bath by mixing together the baking soda and hot water until the baking soda dissolves. Dip each pretzel into the bath. Pat the bottom of the pretzel lightly with a paper towel to remove some of the moisture, if desired. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- If making salted pretzels, sprinkle the tops with coarse sea salt, if making cinnamon and sugar pretzels leave them plain.
- Bake at 450 degrees F for 5 minutes. Turn the pan 180 degrees and bake an additional 5-8 minutes.
- If making cinnamon and sugar pretzels, mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
- Brush each pretzel with melted butter. Sprinkle more coarse salt onto the salted pretzels and sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture on the rest. Enjoy!
