Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe (2024)

March 30, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Home· Food

There is nothing like the smell of fresh bread, right? A delicious treat anytime…these homemade soft pretzels will have you wanting more and more.

According to legend…in 1610 AD [a]n Italian monk invented pretzels as a reward to children who learn their prayers. He calls the strips of baked dough, folded to resemble arms crossing the chest, pretiola (little rewards). – The History of Science and Technology

A random fact about myself…I was a youth pastor for a while. It’s actually what I got my BA in.

One year we did a youth retreat with a theme prayer. I was in charge of all the materials for the event and made pretzels sharing the legend of the monk.

Some people believe pretzels were known to exist before this time, but I still love this little story, reminder, AND homemade soft pretzels!!!

Since April 26 is National Pretzel Day, we thought a homemade pretzel would be a great way to celebrate! Plus, everyone is really into bread making right now with the shortage and all.

Table of Contents

INGREDIENTS

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1 cup milk, warmed to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
1 (1/4 ounce) package fast-acting dry yeast
A (1) tablespoon sugar
2 ½ cups flour, plus additional for kneading
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups warm water
1/3 cup baking soda
Coarse salt for topping
½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Optional for dipping: mustard, sweetened cream cheese, warm cheese sauce

Want another tasty treat? Wait until you try these –Mini Strawberry Galettes with Flaky Butter Pastry

HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZEL RECIPE DIRECTIONS

DOUGH

In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Set aside and allow the yeast to proof for 5 minutes until the mixture is frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add the yeast to the mixture and stir well.
Cut the two tablespoons of softened butter into small chunks and stir into the pretzel batter (some small bits of butter may not fully mix in, but they will be incorporated during kneading).
Add the remaining 1 ¼ cups flour and mix well.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, adding up to ½ cup more flour if needed, until the dough is soft and less sticky (the dough should still be slightly sticky).
Shape the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top of the dough ball. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm location to rise until doubled, 60-90 min.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prepare a large baking sheet by greasing with non-stick cooking spray or silicone baking mat.
Punch the dough down and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Use the palm of your hand roll the dough starting in the center and working your way outward to form a long, thin rope of dough. The rope should be about 30 inches long.
In a medium bowl, combine the 3 cups warm water and 1/3 cup baking soda. Stir well.
Twist one of the dough ropes into the shape of a pretzel. Dip pretzel into the baking soda mixture, then place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining ropes of dough.
See Also
The 40 Best Romantic Dessert Recipes for Valentine's Day or Date Night 20 Must-Try Strawberry Recipes - One Hundred Dollars a Month Chocolate Pomegranate Granola Bites Recipe – OhMyVeggies.com Chefs Tell Us Their Favorite 5-Ingredient Recipes

BAKING

Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse salt, then bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes until golden brown. Salvage Tip: The bottoms of the pretzels will get darker faster than the tops. To prevent burning, you may want to check the pretzels after 8 minutes of baking.
Remove the pretzels from the oven. Use tongs to dip the hot pretzels into the ½ cup of melted butter, or use a pastry brush to baste the tops and bottoms of each pretzel with the butter. Sprinkle with additional coarse salt if desired.

SALVAGE NOTES & TIPS

Recipe Makes:16 Pretzels

These are Amish style homemade soft pretzels. Although there are a lot of steps to this recipe, it’s really rather easy and would be fun to make with kids (with or without the monk story).

Serve the pretzels warm with dipping sauces if desired.

For sweet pretzels, omit the coarse salt topping and coat the pretzels in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar after they are dipped in butter.

Have you seen these 20 Campfire Foil Packet Recipes?

If you enjoyed this homemade soft pretzel recipe, would you give it a share?

Yield: 16

Ingredients

1 cup milk, warmed to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
1 (1/4 ounce) package fast-acting dry yeast
A (1) tablespoon sugar
2 ½ cups flour, plus additional for kneading
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups warm water
1/3 cup baking soda
Coarse salt for topping
½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Optional for dipping: mustard, sweetened cream cheese, warm cheese sauce

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Set aside and allow the yeast to proof for 5 minutes until frothy.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add yeast to the mixture and stir well.

Cut two tablespoons of softened butter into small chunks and stir into the pretzel batter

Add remaining 1 ¼ cups flour and mix well.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, adding up to ½ cup more flour if needed, until the dough is soft and less sticky

Shape dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top of the dough ball. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and place in a warm location to rise until doubled, 60-90 min.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Prepare a large baking sheet by greasing with non-stick cooking spray or a silicone baking mat.

Punch dough down and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Use the palm of your hand to roll dough starting in the center and working your way outward to form a long, thin rope of dough. The rope should be about 30 inches long.

In a medium bowl, combine 3 cups warm water and 1/3 cup baking soda. Stir well.

Twist one of the dough ropes into the shape of a pretzel. Dip the pretzel into the baking soda mixture, then place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat

Sprinkle pretzels with coarse salt, then bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes until golden brown.

Remove the pretzels from the oven. Use tongs to dip the hot pretzels into the ½ cup of melted butter

Notes

These are Amish style homemade soft pretzels. Although there are a lot of steps to this recipe, it’s really rather easy and would be fun to make with kids (with or without the monk story).

Serve the pretzels warm with dipping sauces if desired.

For sweet pretzels, omit the coarse salt topping and coat the pretzels in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar after they are dipped in butter.